born) classes. In Vedic times a dana or gift was
given to BRAHMINS for remission of sins.
Further reading: Kala Acharya, Puranic Concept of Dana
(Delhi: Nag, 1993); Vijay Nath, Dana, Gift System in
Ancient India, c. 600 B.C.–c. A.D. 300: A Socio-Economic
Perspective (New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal, 1987);
Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty and J. Duncan M. Derrett,
The Concept of Duty in South Asia (New Delhi: Vikas
Publishing House, 1978).
Danielou, Alain (1907–1994) scholar of
Hindu music and literature
Alain Danielou was an accomplished musician
and artist who developed an intense interest in
Hindu music and literature. He won a respected
status in the West for classical Indian music; he
also wrote many popular books that expound
Hinduism and Indian culture.
Danielou was born on October 4, 1907, at
Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris, France. As the son of
an aristocratic family, he spent much of his time in
the country being educated by tutors. He occupied
his time in the library, learning piano and paint-
ing. Danielou’s mother was a devoted Catholic,
who founded a religious order; his father was an
anticlerical politician. Danielou’s artistic abilities
took him to the United States, where he attended
school in Annapolis, sold paintings at exhibits,
and played piano at movie theaters. When he
returned to France he continued to study music
under Charles Panzera and Max d’Olonne.
In 1932 Danielou began to travel extensively
throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia
with the Swiss photographer Raymond Burnier.
While in India he became fascinated with its tra-
ditional culture. He became acquainted with the
poet Rabindranath TAGORE, who employed him as
director of the school of music in Shantiniketan,
Tagore’s university. Danielou later moved to BENARES
(Varanasi) and met the Indian music master Shiven-
dranath Basu. He remained in India for the next 30
years. During that time he learned both Hindi and
SANSKRIT. He was introduced to Swami Karpatri
and translated some of his works. Swami Karpatri
later initiated Danielou into Shaivite Hinduism (see
SHAIVISM) and gave him the name Shiva Sharan. He
continued a dialogue over the years with René Gué-
non, scholar of Sufism and ADVAITA VEDANTA, on the
philosophy of Hinduism. In 1954, he left Benares
to become director of the Adyar Library of Sanskrit
Manuscripts in Madras (Chennai).
Danielou became sympathetic to the Indian
independence movement. After India won its inde-
pendence from Britain, he returned to Europe in
1963 and devoted himself to the mission of pre-
senting a true understanding of Hinduism to the
West. He founded the Intercultural Institute of
Comparative Music Studies in Berlin and Venice,
which he led for decades. Through this institute he
organized concerts featuring Asian musicians and
began recording traditional Indian music through
an arrangement with UNESCO. Danielou is cred-
ited with raising the status of Indian classical music
in the West to that of a recognized art form.
Danielou is best known for his scholarship
on Hindu culture. He authored over 30 books on
topics ranging from music to religion. In 1971, he
published a Brief History of India, which has since
been translated and republished in 12 different
countries. His works on religion have signifi-
cantly shaped the conversation on the relationship
between ancient Western culture and Hinduism.
In Gods of Love and Ecstasy: The Traditions of Shiva
and Dionysus, Danielou illustrates the similarities
in rites and beliefs between ancient Greek religion
and Shaivism. He claims further that the loss of
such rites has left humanity in the West alienated
from nature and the divine.
Danielou’s books continue to be a source of
great influence to those exploring Hindu culture.
His works, written in French, have been translated
into eight different languages, including English,
Italian, and Spanish. He has also written piano
arrangements to songs by Rabindranath Tagore.
In his later years, Danielou continued inter-
preting the music and philosophy of India to theK 118 Danielou, Alain