Essay name: Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature
Author:
S. Karthick Raj KMoundinya
Affiliation: University of Madras / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies the Musical Instruments in Sanskrit Literature and its relationship with the South Indian musical tradition. The study emphasizes the universal appeal of music and documents how it pervades various aspects of life, art, literature, painting, and sculpture.
Chapter 4 - A comparative study of the references to Musical Instruments
10 (of 39)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Percussion Instruments:
The drums were commonly called Parai. Among percussion
instruments, Parai seems to have been very popular. It was used to
convey messages to the public. The Parai had a loud sound and this was
considered very auspicious. The Capparai was used for during death
ceremonies.
Percussion instruments and drums, are used for different
occasions like battle, sacrifice, wedding, funeral and other festivals. They
can be classified under the following heads:
Aka Mulavu
Akappura Mulavu
Pura Mulavu
Purappura Mulavu
Pannamai Mulavu
Nam Mulavu
Ma峁弓alam, E峁璦kkai, Callikai, Kara峁琲kai,
Berikai, Patakam & Kutamul膩.
Tannumai, Takuniccam and Takkai.
Kanaparai etc
Neytaparai etc
4 kinds of Vira Mulavu namely,
Muran, Nic膩lam, Tu峁璱 and Timilai.
Nezhigaiparai.
Of the various percussion instruments referred, the Muracu was
the most popular and used on all occasions. During festivals, Muracu
was played all day as it conveyed joy and gaiety. The Muracu seemed to
have been as important as a national flag as the victorious king always
captured the Muracu of the defeated king. The P艒r Muracu or war drum
was a very important instrument, which was played in the battlefield to
frighten enemies and also infuse courage and enthusiasm in the hearts of
the warriors, occupied a very respectable status. The sound of Muracu is
compared to the sound of the waterfalls.
In literary works, there is mention of the Viraliyar playing the C墨ri
Yal and also dancing to the T膩lam played by the hand on the Mulavu
that has M膩rccanai on the drum face.
