Percussion Ensemble

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Indian music had identified several percussion instruments, which largely accompanied different forms of musical expressions. The Socio-biological necessity of percussions in music is a fact established of late, but the ancient Indian musicians had identified and immortalized the necessity of percussions at the rim of folklore and classical overtones. 

The Indian percussion instruments could be segmented and applied in different demographic and social situations such as folklore, temple rituals and indoor classical concerts where each form had its own charm and methodology. For instance, Mrudanga, Khanari, Ghata, Morching (Karnatak) and Pakhawaj, Tabla (Hindustani) are exclusively used in indoor classical concerts, where as Sammela, Chande, Dolu (Thavil) and Cymbal (Taala) are representative of the folklore and temple ritualistic forms. As for the utility, the folklore forms largely remained out of the realm of the classical forms, for they neither had an identifiable shruti nor a definite set pattern. Nevertheless the folklore sound patterns had an organic amalgamation with the culture that had sustained it and therefore, till recently very few attempts were made to synthesize these tow forms of percussion instruments.  Till recently, percussions were considered only for supportive role and only recently it is recognized that percussions have an independent identity of their own, as in Western ensembles. 

This presentation is under a project of “Professional groups for specified performing arts covering rare forms and other traditional forms for music ensembles-orchestrations”. This Percussion Ensemble is planned for presentation cum Video taping/audio taping for preservation and possible analysis for further innovation sand development of these thematic expressions. This is an attempt of blending these hitherto different forms of percussion where the charm of folklore is not dispensed at the cost of tone value. For the first time, Gethu Vaadya, an ancient stringed percussion instrument is included. Unlike others, Gethu Vaadya is the only stringed percussion instrument, a shruti Vaadya and a Taala Vaadya. The other instruments used differs in sound, their timbre, texture, and attempt to strike a balance between classical norms and in giving an independent identity to these instruments. The artistes conditioned mainly to classical music are attempting to look beyond into new rhythmic areas and innovations-adventures. The earnestness has to match with proper thought and planning and also create awareness into the potentialities and also limitations of the different instruments. 

Future attempts include innovations into electronic instruments and computerized music also.  

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