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Sound Play -- Anjana Rajan
Favourite accompaniment
The harmonium is an instrument of Western origin, but it is now such a comfortable part of Indian music, particularly Hindustani music, that it can be called integral to the art form. Add to that the fact that the harmonium has become a rare sight in
its native region — Europe — and it can barely be denied its rightful place in the array of Indian instruments. Harmoniums were introduced to India during the Colonial era. Once adopted by Indian musicians, it required to be adapted to Indian needs. Since traditional Indian musicians sit on the ground and not on chairs, the harmonium was converted to a hand-held instrument, so that the player could sit this way while playing. A major characteristic of the harmonium is its keyboard, which renders it capable of staccato melody and harmonised chords. As Indian music is essentially melodic in character, this quality has caused continued controversy over the years. Yet the harmonium has triumphed as a favourite accompanying instrument for vocal concerts, especially in North India. That the harmonium has become capable of accompanying vocal music is due to the efforts of instrument makers as well as the practitioners, whose skilful fingers make up for the lack of glissando with lightning speed.
A well-known harmonium player of his time was the late music critic P.V.Subramanian ‘Subbudu.’ Other famous harmonium players are Mehmoud Dhaulpuri, who received a Padma Sri for his contribution to the art, and Jairam Potdar, scholar and musician.
Harmonium
Origin: Western
Speciality: Keyboard
Streams: Hindustani and Carnatic
Exponents: Mehmoud Dhaulpuri, Jairam Potdar, Subbudu
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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