Did Veerappan Really Play the Flute? Unveiling the Hidden Musical Heritage of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has a long association with folk and tribal instruments, and is probably the state with the highest number in India, says S A V Elanchezian, professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering.
However, only a few of these have been studied and recorded. The panars, especially, says Elanchezian, were musically inclined and used to sing, play multiple instruments and dance. 'Sangam literature has references to a multitude of such instruments, many of which are the precursors of several contemporary instruments. For example, the mridangam is a derivative of the thannumai which finds mention in the Silappathikaram,' he says.
Similarly, the manamuzhavu later became the thavil.
On July 31, 'Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day', here's a look at a few unique instruments.
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Lambadi flute or Veerappan kuzhal
One wouldn't associate sandalwood smuggler Veerappan with music but it is said he used to play this 2m-long bamboo flute, even during the infamous kidnapping of Kannada actor Rajkumar. 'Veerappan knew all about tribal instruments after spending years in the forest,' says Babu Susan, from Thiruvannamalai, who collects rare folk instruments as well as recreates them based on literature and interactions with tribal people.
The flute was played by the lambadi tribes of Sathyamangalam forests and Hosur as well as shepherds and has ten holes instead of the usual six. The mouthpiece is at the centre, and so the flute can produce two entirely different sets of sounds, says Babu. The instrument is kept vertical while playing, says Elanchezian.
Mugaveenai
This wind instrument is the main accompaniment in street theatre or therukoothu. It is a smaller version and forerunner of the nadaswaram used by street and folk musicians of South India, says Elanchezian.
Like the shehnai or the clarinet, it's found only in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu today.
Ghata singhari
An example for ghata singhari's sound is the song 'Manasukkulla naayana chatham naan ketten' by Ilayaraja from the 1990 film 'Mallu Vetti Minor' where it can be heard accompanying the tabla. This folk instrument has been used in Ilaiyaraaja's 'Pachamalarpoovu' as well. The body is made of clay sourced from the Vaigai River and the drum head is made of goat skin, tuned by applying water.
Nam mizhavu
Known as mouth harp or Jew's harp in the west, and 'morsing' in northern India, the folk instrument goes back centuries and has mention in Sangam literature. The funny twang it produces is often used in comedy sequences in movies and memes, says Babu. It is also used as an accompaniment to the violin often in songs praising Murugan and in Carnatic music.It used to be made of bamboo, and is called gogona by the Bihu tribes of the Northeast.
Kinnaram
Pumpkin shells might seem too delicate for a musical instrument, but it was what the kinnaram, especially the Adivasi version of it, was made of. The shells were dried in the sun for two weeks. A single-stringed instrument, it's played with plant roots. A derivative of the ornate yazh, it was played by the panars who used to wander around playing songs of Kannagi, Kovalan kathakali and Rama padal. 'They would sing and collect rice and grain from houses, thus earning their livelihood.
' Today it is found mostly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. 'In Erode and Arunachalam, there are a few people who play it, but they are very old,' says Babu. There is mention of the kinnaram in Rajaraja Chola's time in Silappathikaram
Gilukiluppai
Similar to the current day's Maraca, the gilukiluppai sounds like a rattle and is often used to create the sounds of rain in movies, says Babu. 'It used to be made of the seeds of arali (oleander), which are toxic.'
The instrument is a derivative of the ellari or arikural thattai mentioned in the Sangam age, says Elanchezian.
Kokkarai
The horn-like Kokkarai originates from the kanikkar tribe in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. The upper part of the instrument is shaped like a rooster's comb, hence the name. The kanis worshipped mountain gods and so the kokkarai was played as a prayer for rain and good yields, as well as to protect the forests, says Babu.
Thavandai
Known as pambai and udukkai in the Thondaimandalam region, this double drum is played at local festivals such as at Mariyamman temple. The player sings simultaneously. Similar to the Idakka in Kerala, this folk instrument can be traced to Chidambaram and Kumbakonam, says Babu. 'It's made of goatskin, and only few know how to play it today.'
Magudi
Snakes don't have ears, but snake charmers have always played this instrument, which became background music for snake sequences and dances in movies as well. A single reed instrument made of bottle gourd and bamboo joined by beeswax, it was used by the Kattunayakans and Irula communities, says Babu who has collected the instrument from them in the forests of Nilgiris and Attappadi.
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Time of India
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Did Veerappan Really Play the Flute? Unveiling the Hidden Musical Heritage of Tamil Nadu
Kinnaram is made of sun-dried pumpkin shells. There is mention of the kinnaram in Rajaraja Chola's time in Silappathikaram Tamil Nadu has a long association with folk and tribal instruments, and is probably the state with the highest number in India, says S A V Elanchezian, professor at Thiagarajar College of Engineering. However, only a few of these have been studied and recorded. The panars, especially, says Elanchezian, were musically inclined and used to sing, play multiple instruments and dance. 'Sangam literature has references to a multitude of such instruments, many of which are the precursors of several contemporary instruments. For example, the mridangam is a derivative of the thannumai which finds mention in the Silappathikaram,' he says. Similarly, the manamuzhavu later became the thavil. On July 31, 'Uncommon Instruments Awareness Day', here's a look at a few unique instruments. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Lambadi flute or Veerappan kuzhal One wouldn't associate sandalwood smuggler Veerappan with music but it is said he used to play this 2m-long bamboo flute, even during the infamous kidnapping of Kannada actor Rajkumar. 'Veerappan knew all about tribal instruments after spending years in the forest,' says Babu Susan, from Thiruvannamalai, who collects rare folk instruments as well as recreates them based on literature and interactions with tribal people. The flute was played by the lambadi tribes of Sathyamangalam forests and Hosur as well as shepherds and has ten holes instead of the usual six. The mouthpiece is at the centre, and so the flute can produce two entirely different sets of sounds, says Babu. The instrument is kept vertical while playing, says Elanchezian. Mugaveenai This wind instrument is the main accompaniment in street theatre or therukoothu. It is a smaller version and forerunner of the nadaswaram used by street and folk musicians of South India, says Elanchezian. Like the shehnai or the clarinet, it's found only in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu today. Ghata singhari An example for ghata singhari's sound is the song 'Manasukkulla naayana chatham naan ketten' by Ilayaraja from the 1990 film 'Mallu Vetti Minor' where it can be heard accompanying the tabla. This folk instrument has been used in Ilaiyaraaja's 'Pachamalarpoovu' as well. The body is made of clay sourced from the Vaigai River and the drum head is made of goat skin, tuned by applying water. Nam mizhavu Known as mouth harp or Jew's harp in the west, and 'morsing' in northern India, the folk instrument goes back centuries and has mention in Sangam literature. The funny twang it produces is often used in comedy sequences in movies and memes, says Babu. It is also used as an accompaniment to the violin often in songs praising Murugan and in Carnatic used to be made of bamboo, and is called gogona by the Bihu tribes of the Northeast. Kinnaram Pumpkin shells might seem too delicate for a musical instrument, but it was what the kinnaram, especially the Adivasi version of it, was made of. The shells were dried in the sun for two weeks. A single-stringed instrument, it's played with plant roots. A derivative of the ornate yazh, it was played by the panars who used to wander around playing songs of Kannagi, Kovalan kathakali and Rama padal. 'They would sing and collect rice and grain from houses, thus earning their livelihood. ' Today it is found mostly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. 'In Erode and Arunachalam, there are a few people who play it, but they are very old,' says Babu. There is mention of the kinnaram in Rajaraja Chola's time in Silappathikaram Gilukiluppai Similar to the current day's Maraca, the gilukiluppai sounds like a rattle and is often used to create the sounds of rain in movies, says Babu. 'It used to be made of the seeds of arali (oleander), which are toxic.' The instrument is a derivative of the ellari or arikural thattai mentioned in the Sangam age, says Elanchezian. Kokkarai The horn-like Kokkarai originates from the kanikkar tribe in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli. The upper part of the instrument is shaped like a rooster's comb, hence the name. The kanis worshipped mountain gods and so the kokkarai was played as a prayer for rain and good yields, as well as to protect the forests, says Babu. Thavandai Known as pambai and udukkai in the Thondaimandalam region, this double drum is played at local festivals such as at Mariyamman temple. The player sings simultaneously. Similar to the Idakka in Kerala, this folk instrument can be traced to Chidambaram and Kumbakonam, says Babu. 'It's made of goatskin, and only few know how to play it today.' Magudi Snakes don't have ears, but snake charmers have always played this instrument, which became background music for snake sequences and dances in movies as well. A single reed instrument made of bottle gourd and bamboo joined by beeswax, it was used by the Kattunayakans and Irula communities, says Babu who has collected the instrument from them in the forests of Nilgiris and Attappadi.
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