In a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, a festival in Virudhunagar brought forth the mesmerising world of ancient Tamil musical instruments. The event served as a platform for the public to explore and appreciate the mystical instruments that once played a crucial role in the lives of ancient Tamilians.
Sound Mani, a young collector from Erode, Tamil Nadu, curated a remarkable collection of over a hundred ancient musical instruments. These instruments, carefully gathered among modern counterparts, offered a glimpse into the historical soundscape of Tamil culture. In a video shared by the News18 team, Sound Mani passionately discussed and demonstrated the functionality of these ancient instruments, shedding light on their significance in various aspects of daily life.
The instruments showcased at the festival reflected the versatile use of music in ancient Tamil society. Whether while tending to livestock, working in the fields, or engaging in different tasks, these instruments accompanied the Tamilians, preventing monotony and fatigue. Notable instruments displayed included Kayamba, Tutheri, and Kokkarai, each with its unique role and sound. The festival also highlighted intriguing instruments like the thunderclap, which was employed to mimic the sounds of thunder for storytelling, and the music cup, known for its therapeutic qualities, inspiring contemporary healing therapies.
The diversity of ancient Tamil instruments was categorized into various forms, including percussion, tapping, string, wind, and skin instruments. Wind instruments like the flute, muhaveenai, mahudi, combu, and conch showcased the intricacy of Tamil musical craftsmanship. Skin instruments, such as urumi, drum, thavil, and siruparai, demonstrated the cultural significance of leather-based instruments. String instruments like yazh, veena, thampura, and koduvaathiyam illustrated the melodic aspects of ancient Tamil music while tapping instruments like kaimani, thaalam, kondi, and kodam added rhythm and depth to the musical landscape.
Among the highlighted instruments were the yazh, a harp-like instrument once popular in ancient India for producing Tamil melodies, and the mouthed pot, an ancient Tamil instrument with seven mouths that could be blown or played with hands. These instruments, though no longer in common use, provided a nostalgic journey into the musical roots of Tamil culture.
The festival aimed to revive awareness and appreciation for these historical treasures, fostering a connection between the present generation and the vibrant musical heritage of ancient Tamilians. Through this cultural celebration, the festival successfully transported audiences back in time, allowing them to experience the enchanting world of ancient Tamil music.
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