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Rajasthan Tourism » Rajasthan Music & Dance » Musical Instruments
Musical Instruments
Musical Instrument of RHYTHM OF RAJASTHAN
The bells are the first of the autophonic instruments. The Ghanti or the Ghanta are commonly used and the ghungroo (ankle bells) form an integral part of the music.
The Bhopas of Bherunji wear large ghungroos around their waists and sway their bodies to provide a rhythm. The war dance of the Godwad area, the Ramjhol, is performed to the rhythm of the large ankle bells. Then there are the manjeeras which are made of brass in the shape of hemispherical metal cups struck against each other.
The Jhanit and the Taala are different kinds of manjeeras. Another variety of musical instruments is formed by a single metal plate, the thalli. This is struck in various ways producing different kinds of tones and rhythems. The Jhalar, also called the Ghanta and Thali or Tasli are commonly used. In Jaisalmer district an interesting variant of the jatarang is used.
It is called the haltal and is a thali with water filed in it. The jhalar is usally played with bells, blowing of conchshells and beating of drums at aarti and on other religious occasions. The Jhol and the Bankia areused at auspicious social occasions as an accompaniment to the host of dances performed at such times.
The music of Rajasthan truly represent the myriad colour and nature of the region.
Shehnai
Shehnai is an slender instrument, which is thought to bring good luck, and therefore, it is widely played in Rajasthan, at the time of marriages and festivals. It consisting of a single piece wooden tube with a number of holes, and at the top it has a metal mouthpiece, through which a Shehnai can be played. You can take out number of tunes, by controlling the breath, while playing a Shehnai.
Morchang
Morchang is the most favourite instrument for Langa community of Rajasthan, a wrought iron instrument, much akin to the Jews harp, which produces twanging sounds. Held between the teeth, the left hand keeping it is position, it is played with right-hand fingers plucking the projected tongue, the sound being reinforced by air blown from the mouth of the player. The instrument is capable of producing a variety of notes and weaving a large range of rhythmic patterns.
Khartal
Khartal is considered to be a devotional instrument, which is used at the time of religious singing. It is a castanet like instrument, which consists of a pair of flat rectangular wooden clappers, having thin brass jingles attached to it. It is played by attaching a ringed into a thumb, whereas the other parts are held by the remaining four fingers, which, when clapped against each other, produce a enchanting sound. These are some of the good instruments, which reflects a great deal on the musical ingenuity of Rajasthan folks.
Chang
Chang is used as a rhythmic accompaniment to the erotic songs and dances on the colourful occasion of Holi festival. This instrument has sheep skin pasted on a large circular or octagonal wooden frame, which is balanced on the right shoulder. It is played with the help of both the hands, left striking the rim and right the central part. Interesting rhythmic patterns are woven, when the two players perform at the same time, occasionally using a stick held between their right hand fingers or using their knuckles to emphasize the beats.
Ghoongharoo
Amongst the tintinnabulation instruments, Ghoongharoo is a small round hollow metal ball, slitted and having a pebble inside it. It is a very notable instrument for musical embellishment. A bunch of them threaded in a cotton string and tied round the ankles of the dancers, which on dancing produce bewitching tinkling sounds to the rhythm at each step of the performer. Ghoogharoo has played a very significant role, since from the times of Maharajahs. Most of the royal kings in Rajasthan used to enjoy the charm of dancing with the rhythm of Ghoogharoos.
Manjeera
Manjeera is a pair of concave cymbals, cast in an alloy of brass, copper and zinc and connected to each other with a cotton cord passing through the holes in their centre. Manjeera produces a rhythmic tinkling sounds, when clanged against the tapered edges of each other. The sound of Manjeera clashing varies, depending upon the size, weight and the proportions of metals in the alloy. A virtuoso performer can produce nuances by striking at different points of one, with the rim of other. An interesting use of the instrument is made by the performers of the teratali, when as many as thirteen cymbals are put in action for the visitors.
Kamayacha
Kamayacha is an extremely elegant instrument of the professional singing community of Mangniars all over Marwar. It has a large circular belly covered with parchment, a peg system and a finger board. It has three main strings of gut, besides which, nine supplementary and other four sympathetic steel strings are placed, passing through a broad bridge. The long wooden curved bow of horse-tail hair moving on all the strings is characteristic of this unique Rajasthani instrument. Used by all singing communities, specially in Marwar but mainly by those belonging to the Langas.
Bankia
Bankia is a trumpet like brass instrument with an oblong loop type tube body, which has a saucer shaped opening and it is an integrated mouthpiece through which, an air is blown powerfully. Bankia can be played with number of instruments, but the best it is heard with the dhol. It is one of the most favourite instrument of Rajasthan at the time of auspicious and festive occasions. The sound of Bankia gives a welcome boost to the tempo of the drummer, stimulates singers, and provides refreshing fillip to the dancers. Playing Bankia is a unique instrument, which is generally used to strengthen the overall effect of the celebration.
Dhol
The Dhol is a double sided barrel drum, which is played mostly at the time of marriages and festivals seasons. The playing of Dhol is an important instrument, according to the tradition of royal Rajasthan. It is moreover like a drum, which is played by using two wooden sticks, usually made out of bamboo and cane wood. The stick used to play the bass side of the drum is a bit thicker and is bent in a quarter circular arc on the end, that strikes the Dhol, whereas the other stick is much thinner as comparison to the other one, and it is used to play the higher note end. The rope of the Dhol is usually placed over the neck of the drum player, whereas the surface of the wooden barrel of Dhol is sometimes decorated with engraved or painted patterns.
Nagara
Nagara is one of the most oldest instrument, used since, from the times king and queen. In those times it was used for announcing major declarations and decisions from the royal families. Nagara is massive instrument, and it can be described as the pair of hemispherical bowl, which is mostly seen in two sizes, the bigger made up of copper and the smaller one is of iron, with buffalo and camel hides mounted on them respectively, kept in position with leather straps. The bigger bowl is set at low pitch and the smaller at a very high one. Keeping the larger to the left, the drums are played with two sticks. It is capable of producing a variety of rhythms, deep and thunderous, to give company to massive community dances like raasmandal and ghoomar.
Ravanhatta
The rawanhatta consists of half a coconut shell resonator covered with membrane, bound to it with the help of cotton cords, a two feet long bamboo stick fixed to the resonator with two main strings, one of horse tail and other of steel. In addition to these are sympathetic steel strings varying between three to thirteen, passing over a bridge and than directly to the wooden pegs fixed to the sides of the stick. It is played with a curved bow of horse tail hair drawn across the strings with rhythmic jerks, the small brass bells attached to it providing the jingling stress on the beats. It is held by the left hand, the resonator resting on the left side of the chest. The dexterity lies in playing each successive note, which is clear, detached and synchronizing with singing, changing the rhythm and displacing the normal beats and accents, whenever it is required, depending upon the musical situation.
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