Musical instruments in temples
ALAYA VAZHIPATTIL ISAIKKARUVIKAL: Raama Kausalya; Minambikai Padippakam, Jatavallabhar Illam, 6/78, Tillaisthanam, Thanjavur-613203. Rs. 125.
MORE THAN 100 musical instruments of the stringed, wind and percussion varieties have been mentioned in the Thevaram, Divya Prabandham, Tiruppugazh, Karaikkal Ammaiyar's verses, the Kanda Puranam and other Tamil works.
The interesting fact about these instruments is that most of them were played and are still being played only in temples during daily worship, festivals and processions. For instance, the percussion-cum-music instrument Gottu Vadyam is played in the Ambal temple in Avudaiyarkoil during evening worship and no other instrument is allowed to be played inside this shrine.
The Veena is still being played in the morning and late night service at the Srirangam Ranganatha temple by the descendent of a particular family which has been rendering this service for 45 generations. It may be news to many that the North Indian stringed instrument Sarangi was being played as accompaniment to Thevaram singing in temples only in the Madurai and Tirunelveli districts. No temple worship can be imagined without the ubiquitous instrument Nagaswaram, which is played according to a specific pattern from morning till night.
No less than 18 instruments are played at the Tyagaraja temple in Tiruvarur. Numerous instruments, including a clarinet, were being played at the Sarva vadyam ritual at Cheyyur near Chengalpattu. Many have, however, become obsolete with the passage of time for want of funds and players.
An in-depth study of this fascinating subject was long overdue and this book fulfils the want. The author has collected all the relevant material from works in Tamil and English, studied inscriptions and furnished the drawings of all the instruments mentioned by her. A valuable reference book for music teachers and students.
T. S. PARTHASARATHY
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