From ancient times, musical instruments are the soul of singing and dancing as well as of festivals and rituals of Assam. Archaeological finds and experts from different ancient manuscript clearly define the treasure house of ancient musical instruments. As Assamese society and culture has emerged from the confluence of Aryans as well as different tribesman, the range of musical instrument also has both ethnic as well as Aryan Origin.
In ancient literature, we come across names of musical instruments like Bhamori, Bhendi, Bena, Beni, Bhemehi, Dondi, Dindi, Dochar, Dhumochi, Mochuoi, Moruya, Ponow, Remochi, Shingowan, Toka, Tabla, Tupechi, Turya, etc. Most of them are either obsolete or unknown at present.
The present-day musical instruments of Assam can be divided into four categories: (i) Stringed instruments, (ii) Blow instruments like pipe or flute etc., (iii) Leather instruments and (iv) Rhythm instruments.
Stringed Instruments
Among stringed instruments, Veen or Veena is the most ancient one. Sarenda, a shorter form of violin-like instrument is used by the Bodo community. Among other instruments, Dotara and Tokari are very prominent which are exclusively used in folk music.
Laotokari is a typical instrument made of a gourd shell and a single string which is commonly used by Boiragee singers. Other stringed instruments include Khamok, Viponchi, Rudraveena, Ram Veena, etc.
Blow Instruments
Among blow instruments, Pipes and Horns are the most prominent instruments bearing unique features. For making a Pipe or Penpa (As called in common language), the skeleton instrument is made by a reed and then it is further strengthened by inserting it into a buffalo horn. Hence it is called Mohor Singor Penpa (Buffalo Horn Pipe) and is an integral part of Bihu songs and dances. The pipes made of two buffalo horns are called Juriya Penpa (Paired Pipes).
Among other blow instruments, Kali and Shehnai are prominently used in marriage celebrations. They are made of metal and wood.
Flute is perhaps the most popular among the blow instruments. The Bodo flute is a bigger version which is called Chiphung. In Goalpara, a special kind of flute is used in Manasa Puja called 'Banshi' or 'Ban Banshi'.
Other similar flute-like instruments are Benu or Murali and Bheri. Sutuli is another blow instrument made of clay. Shankh (Conch) is yet another blow instrument which is made of conch shell. It is used in religious rituals. In ancient times, it was used to herald a war.
Leather Instruments
In leather instruments, shells are made from clay, metal or wood and are covered by leather. The most popular and ancient leather instrument of Assam is Dhul (Dhol) and other instruments of the same family. Dhul is extensively used in Upper Assam. In Lower Assam, Dhepadhol, Bordhol, Joydhol, Patidhol, etc. are extensively used. In Mangaldoi areas, Dhepadhol is used by filling it with water.
Khol belongs to the same family as Dhul. Khol is also found in Orissa, Bengal and Manipur. Khol is used in Satriya dance and in other Satriya rituals. Mridang is similar to Dhul but the shell is made up of clay.
Another important leather instrument is Doba. Doba is exclusively used in Namghar. It is a huge leather instrument made of clay. A smaller version named Nagara is used in religious rituals which can be easily transported.
Other leather instruments include Dagar, Dhak, Kurkuri,Pakhuwaj, Table, Dama or Damama, Gumukh, Kohola or Kohali, Potoh, Donka, Dindim, Dundubhi, Joydhak, Dhulok, Khumuchi, Maadol, Dambaru, etc.
Rhythm Instrument:
Rhythm instruments are used to keep rhythm in singing or in dancing. Kanh or bell metal finds extensive use in these rhythm instruments. Taal is most widely used in rhythm instrument. Depending on the pitch and volume different Taals are used. Larger Taals are known as Ram Taal or Bor Taal. Another kind of large taal used in Vaishnava Rituals is Bhuttaal. The smallest taal is known as Khutitaal. Different other Taals are Patitaal or Kherengi taal, Mandira, Sukannanir taal, Biyahor taal, Khojari or Khonjorika, etc.
Kanh is the name of a different instrument. This instrument is round and flat and is of two types: Bor Kanh and Soru Kanh. Apart from them, Manjar, Jhanjar, or Jhanjarika are also found.
Another rhythm instrument is the bell. These are mainly used in temples. Tilinga is the smaller bell. Small bells worn in the waist are known as Kinkini and those worn on foot are known as Junuka, Nepur and Pajop depending upon their size.
Other instruments which do not come under these categories are Gagana, Taka, Reponi, etc. Gagana is made up of small bamboo slices. Though it is played by blowing, the slices of bamboo have to be separated by hand.
Bamboo, swan in middle and held together at one end by its node which is played by bringing both parts at the other end is called Taka. They are extensively used in Bihu songs and dances.
In Assam, folk music and classical music both have their own breed of musical instruments. In modern times, western instruments have gradually replaced the indigenous ones. These ethnic instruments have gradually become confined to the festivals or in the temples only.
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