^Nadhaswaram

Under all the different Indian instruments we meet up the Nadhaswaram. It is world-wide the loudest, non metallic acoustical instrument, comparable with the volume of a trumpet. This wind instrument belongs to the group of the aerophones and is played mainly in South India. The Mukhavina is the much smaller version used for folk music. In North Indian Classical music (Hindustani) exists the relative of the Nadhaswaram, the Shehnai.

In India the Nadhaswaram is counted as an auspicious wind instrument – Mangala Vadya. Hardly any other instrument in Indian classics is in its character so close to the human voice.

An important role for the origin of the Nadhaswaram plays the Tiruvarur district in the South Indian Federal State Tamil-Nadu. Over many centuries Tiruvarur was a cultural center. The ancient city Tiruvarur is famous for the Sri Tyagaraja Tempel.

From Tiruvarur the tradition has its seed that two Nadhaswarm players are accompanied by two percussionists on the Thavil (barrel drum).

Thavil and Nadhaswaram are substantial components of the traditional celebrations and ceremonies in South India. With its impressing volume the Nadhaswaram usually is played out of doors.

The holy music (Mangala Isai) has great importance in Hindu temples and for further areas of Indian life. A colourful potpourrie of Indian music, traditional forms, folk music up to contemporary styles we find at an Indian Wedding ceremony.

P.S. Thought of writing about Nadhaswaram after a short chat with Mr. Eljay Aram for IMC.