Treatises of oriental scholars on the performing arts

The theoretical views of Eastern scholars were formed on the basis of existing experience in the performing arts, and in their treatises they provided detailed information about the role and importance of music in society. Al-Husayn's (15th century) pamphlet “Musical Canons” provides information about the dutar, a two-stringed musical instrument that is widespread among the peoples of Central Asia. Qutbiddin al-Sherazi (1236–1310), known as an Iranian music theorist, made exemplary comments on the bowed tanbur in his treatise and considered the human voice to be the most pleasing of musical instruments.