Nadaswaram

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A typical ensemble of two nadaswaram and two thavil
A typical ensemble of two nadaswaram and two thavil

The nadaswaram (also spelt nadhaswaram, and also called nagaswaram) is one of the most popular classical instruments of South India and the world's loudest non-brass acoustic instrument. It is a wind instrument similar to the North Indian shehnai but larger, with a hardwood body and a large flaring bell made of wood or metal.

In India the nadaswaram is considered to be very auspicious, and it is the key instrument which is played in almost all Hindu marriages and temples in South India. The instrument is usually played in pairs, and accompanied by a pair of drums called thavil.

The nadaswaram contains three parts namely, kuzhal, thimiru, and anasu. Traditionally the body of the nagaswaram is made out of a tree called aacha.

Some of the greatest early exponents of the nadaswaram include Thiruvavadudurai Rajaratnam Pillai and Sangita Kalanidi Thiruvizhimizhalai Subrahmanya Pillai. In more recent times Namagiripettai Krishnan, Karukurichi Arunachalam, Sheik Chinna Moulana, Thiruvarur S Latchappa Pillai are well known nagaswaram artists.

U.S. composers such as Lewis Spratlan and Carl Stone have expressed admiration for the nadaswaram, and a few jazz musicians have taken up the instrument: Charlie Mariano (b. 1923) is one of the few non-Indians able to play the instrument, having studied it while living in India; and Vinny Golia, J. D. Parran, and William Parker have recorded with the instrument. Tim Price, a student of Charlie Mariano at Berklee, also plays the nadaswaram. The German saxophonist Roland Schaeffer also plays it, having studied from 1981 to 1985 with Karupaia Pillai.[1]

Belongs to the woodwind family known as a "Mangala Vadya" (lit. "mangala" means auspicious, vadya - instrument) since it is played in temples, processions, festivals and auspicious occasions like marriages, etc. It is a double reed instrument with a conical bore which gradually enlarges toward the lower end. It is usually made of a type of ebony. The top portion has a metal staple (called "Mel Anaichu") into which is inserted a small metallic cylinder (called "Kendai") which carries the mouthpiece made of reed. Besides spare reeds, a small ivory or horn needle is attached to the Nagaswaram. This needle is used to clear the mouthpiece of saliva particles and allows the free passage of air. A metallic bell (called "Keezh anaichu") decorates the bottom.

The Nagaswaram has seven finger-holes. There are five additional holes drilled at the bottom which are used as controllers. The Nagaswaram has a range of two and a half octaves like the flute. The system of fingering is similar to that of the flute. But unlike the flute, where semi and quarter tones are produced by the partial opening and closing of the finger holes, in the Nagaswaram they are produced by adjusting the pressure and strength of the air-flow into the pipe. Hence it is a very exacting instrument. Also, due to its intense volume and strength it is basically an outdoor instrument and much more suited for open spaces than for closed indoor concert situations.

[edit] Discography

  • Sheik Chinna Moulana
    • Nadhaswaram: Music of South India (1996), described on the back as, "Insular culture, Hindu gods/Simple, exotic musical sounds./Reed horns and tabla." Interra Records 5273. Also Wergo SM1507.
    • Woodwind Melodies (1996). Koel 46.

The Nadaswaram is a commonly known instrument of South Asia [3]. It was introduced in classical Carnatic music repertoire[3]. Carnatic is known as a very important historical part southern India [2]. The Nadaswaram is a type of aerophone, which is a wind instrument [5]. It consists of double reeds[3]. The tubular reed called a sevali produces the loud sound of a trumpet. It is wooden and comes in different sizes. The longest Nadaswaram is said to be 95 cm or 37 inches[5]. The Nadaswaram is unique from other shawm instruments because it can be played using circular breathing [4]. Performers put their lips straightforwardly on the double reed[4]. In South Asia the Nadaswaram instrument is usually played in Hindu temples[5]. Some players of the Nagasvaram are from casts that would normally be denied admittance to the temple but because they play this instrument, they are welcomed in [3]. Bass drums and kettledrums along with other shawm instruments usually accompany the Nadaswaram in recitals [3]. References [2]-http://www.dictionary.com [4]- "Nagasvaram [Tamil]." The Harvard Dictionary of Music. 2003. CredoReference. 15 February 2008 <http://www.credoreference.com/entry/4664378>. [3]- "South Asia." The Harvard Dictionary of Music. 2003. CredoReference. 15 February 2008 <http://www.credoreference.com/entry/4665819>. [5]- "nagaswaram." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 15 Feb. 2008 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9054650>.

[edit] External links

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Balaban • Duduk • Guan • Gyaling • Hichiriki • Hne • Kèn bầu • Kèn đám ma • Kuzhal • Mey • Mizmar • Nadaswaram • Pi • Piri • Shehnai • Sorna • Sralai • Suona • Taepyeongso • Zurna
European traditional
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North American traditional