Arts And Entertainment
| Musical Instruments Of Rajasthan |
| By : Ajit Hari Sahu | Previous | Next |
| Posted on : 29 Aug, 2005 | Total Views : 407 |
Rajasthan - the most colorful State of India. From time immemorial this state has poured into the lives of millions of Indians a stream of soul stirring rhythms and resonance.
The haunting melodies of Rajasthan are born from a variety of delightfully primitive looking instruments. Instruments that have the power of the captivate your senses and transport you to the golden realm of the royal state, wherever on earth you are. Let's reveal some of the instruments to you.
Dhol
The twin faced drum is a must for any celebration in Rajasthan. Created in wood, this instrument gives a new soul to music and dance with its resonance and beat.
Dhol
Matka and Algoza
Matkas and the Ghada and pair of huge earthenware pots, their mouths covered with membrane. One player plays each Matkas, and the Bhopas use it to accompany their singing.
The enchanting music for song is provided by the Algoza. An instrument belonging to the regions Tonk, Ajmer consisting of bamboo flutes played together.
Matka and Algoza
Nagara
The Nagara is a conical drum played with the Surnai and Nafeeri (the two sticks). It forms part of the orchestra for the folk operas by providing rhythm.
Nagara
Ravanhattha
The Ravanhattha is a royal string instrument older than the Sarangi. Minstrels themselves played it in older days. It has string with ghunghroos tied to the rod, which rubs over the string giving captivating taal (rhythm) to the song being played.
Ravanhattha
Sarangi
The Sarangi is the most important instrument in the folk music of Rajasthan. Probably the ancestor of violin, this instrument has two main strings and a variable number of supporting strings, with a belly of half a coconut shell and a body of bamboo. The Sarangi serves as an echo of the singer.
And accompanying the Sarangi is the Dholak. it is a two-sided drum like structure made of wood with membranes covering the hollow structure with adds rhythm to the soul-stirring music.
Sarangi
Satara
The Satara of the Langa tribe has one long flute producing music most evocative of the desert. It is a vertical flute with a single long hollow tube, into which the player whistles, at the same time gurgling a song in his throat or actually singing.
