Xutuli

Xutuli (Assamese: সুতুলী) is a musical instrument used during the Rongali Bihu festival in Assam, India. It is made with clay or the lower end of a Bamboo tree which is left after the main part falls or is cut off (Assamese: বাহঁৰ মূঢ়া). Detail about this musical instrument can be available in xobdo.

This instrument looks like the half moon. It is believed that initially this type of instruments were developed when people tried to  produce  musical  sounds using hard shells of fruits like coconut, and then similar shapes made from potter’s clay. These  types of instruments tries to imitate the sound of animals and birds and produce the sound of a flute. These instruments were initially used as toys and finally developed to   musical instruments. In old china this type of instrument existed which was called  “ xun ”
Instruments like Xutuli are believed to be existing since the time beyond history . Remnants  of  musical instruments like Xutuli are found in different archeological excavations.  From the shape and sound of Xutuli,  it can be derived that this instrument was made imitating the birds. In the Assamese folk culture, people believe that the sound of Xutuli invites rain.

Use

In Bohag Bihu , Xutuli has importance of its own. Initially, the cowboy’s ( Ggorokhiya lora) used Xutuli as a toy, because of ease of construction . Xutuli is played by both boy and girls in Bihu , but most importantly Xutuli is an indispensable part of Jeng Bihu and Bihuwati dances, and predominantly played by girls. Now a days every Bihuwati is desired be an accomplished Xutuli player.

References

www.anvesha.co.in/xutuli_en.htm