Also known as jal tarang (Hindi: जलतरंग) meaning waves of water this is a traditional, Indian subcontinent percussion instrument dating back to the 4th–6th centuries CE, comprising up to 22 porcelain or glass bowls filled with water and struck with sticks. The cups and bowls vary in size and volume of water for different, fine adjustment of pitch, and the ensuing sound is xylophone-like, gentle and pleasant to the ear.
The instrument is mentioned in ancient texts from the medieval Sangeet Parijaat to Ashtachhap poets of Krishna. Prominent players include Seetha Doraiswamy, Shashikala Dani and Anayampatti S. Ganesan.
First, a brief demonstration of a smaller range:
Here is a TED talk demonstration by Milind Tulankar:
Sugnan Dani here plays the Indian national anthem:
For an example of traditional music led by the instrument, here’s a group featuring Kala Srinivasan:
Instrument master Anayampatti Ganesan joined by other musicians:
And for wider audiences, a version of the Shankar Mahadevan song, Breathless, played by Vidushi Shashikala Dani:
So then, anything to share in relation to sounds of the Jalatharangam or jal tarang, in music or wider culture? Feel free to suggest examples, or even from film, art, or other contexts in comments below.
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