RAJASTHANI MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

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.The Rajasthani musical instruments are essential in making the traditional music more melodious.Simple instruments are used with the songs and they are played with such expertise that the song sound incomplete without them.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shehnai
A slender instrument used particularly at the time of weddings, is sahnai. A double-beating reed instrument consisting of a single piece wooden tube with a opening and a metal mouthpiece, it is played as an accompaniment to nagara.

Ektaara
The Ektaara is single string instrument, but it is mounted on the belly of a gourd attached to a body made of bamboo. The Galaleng Jogis of Dungarpur and Banswara have twin gourded Kendru appears akin to the ancient Kinnari Veena, and it has often been called the Keengri in Rajasthan literature. The Chautara, also called the Tandoora or Nissan, is also a popular five stringed drone and beat instrument used as an accompaniment to devotional music and for the Terathali dance.