SOULFUL SOUNDS

SOULFUL SOUNDS

Look beyond the sitar, tabla and veena to discover the fascinating music produced by these truly unusual Indian instruments

Udukkai

This hourglass-shaped drum, similar to the damaru in North India and the idakka in Kerala, originated in Tamil Nadu. It generally features in village temple festivals. Usually made of wood or brass, the udukkai has a goatskin membrane that can be adjusted to alter the pitch. It is commonly played with bare hands and is easily portable owing to its small size. 

Chowdike

The chowdike is a single-stringed instrument that originated in north Karnataka. It is cylindrical and covered with animal hide on one side. It also has a wooden arm. Its origin is linked with the legend of goddess Yellamma. The storytelling music form in which the chowdike is used is called the Chowdike Padagalu. Places where it is commonly performed include Saundatti and Chandragutti in Karnataka.

Jal tarang

Did you know that you can make music by tapping a bowl filled with water? That's exactly what the jal tarang is. Its name literally means 'waves in water'. It consists of a set of bowls - typically ceramic or metal filled with different levels of water. The - player strikes the edge of the cups gently with a stick to produce sounds of different pitches. Though it may look like a great deal of fun, mastering this rare instrument is actually quite challenging.

Ravanahatha

Made of bamboo, coconut shell, goat skin and horse hair, the Ravanahatha is said to be the precursor to the violin. The stringed instrument is steeped in legend. As the name suggests, it is believed to have been played by the mighty Ravana in Sri Lanka. It is said that after the war between Lord Rama and Ravana ended, Hanuman brought back the Ravanahatha to India. Today, the lilting tunes of this instrument are associated with the desert landscapes of Rajasthan.

Esraj

This bowed string instrument almost became extinct in the 1980s, after which it was revived. It is played in Bengal, Bihar and surrounding areas. It is sometimes performed as a solo instrument and sometimes as an accompaniment to the traditional Rabindra Sangeet. It is said that this rare instrument originated in Afghanistan and made its way to north India at some point in history.

Gogona

The gogona is a type of jaw harp. It is a vibrating reed instrument traditionally played in Assam. Made of a single piece of horn or bamboo with a bifurcation on one end, the gogona traditionally features in Bihu celebrations and other folk music. The Ramdhan Gogona is generally played by men while the Lahori Gogona is played by women.

Algoza

Popular among folk musicians in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and surrounding areas, the algoza consists of a pair of two beak flutes, one slightly shorter than the other. One is said to be the male while the other female. Shepherds sometimes play this instrument while their flocks graze. For people in these regions, the music of the algoza evokes happiness. It is said that this instrument might have originated in the Middle East.

Pepa

This is a traditional instrument from Assam. Usually made from buffalo horn, this woodwind instrument is an integral part of the Bihu celebrations. The story goes that a local buffalo herder was inspired to create the pepa when the wind blew through a dead buffalo's horn that was lying on the floor, creating soft musical notes. Today, with dwindling buffalo numbers in the region, alternate materials such as bamboo or wood are being used to make the instrument.