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Harmonium/Peti/Vaja/Baja
It is believed that the Portuguese brought
the reed-organ or harmonium to India in the 17th ' century. It
began as a pedal harmonium but soon evolved into the present
hand- pumped version. The tuning of the harmonium is done at
the manufacturing stage. It is usually placed on the floor
with the player sitting cross-legged before it. The player
uses one hand to contract and release the bellows and the
other to play the keys. Bellows may open from the top of the
harmonium or from the side.
The rectangular cabinet contains two bellows,
the outer and the inner, which force air into the sound-box
and across the brass reeds which are fitted onto a board. Each
reed plays a single note. The base of the sound-box comprises
a board or kisti for controlling the air-supply to the
sound-box with the help of stoppers. The reeds, or sur, are
kharaj, bass; nar, male; and madi, female. These three timbres
are described as 'lines' and present the three octaves mandra,
madhya and taar, used by the Indian musician. The reed- board
is joined to another board called the jali through which the
air passes after going through the reeds. The jali creates a
separate air channel for each reed. White keys are major notes
and black ones are sharps or flats. There are twelve keys per
octave, fixed in ascending order on the board.
Bajas vary greatly in appearance-slathered
with garish paint or inlaid with ivory on dark polished wood.
Folk artistes paint the harmonium in bright colours and attach
ribbons, scarves or tassels. Sometimes the player attaches a
strap to the handles which he slings over one shoulder and
around the neck so that he can play while standing or walking.
This strap may be elaborate, with studs and embroidery. Most
players say that while they redecorate from time to time, they
would rather have their ancient beat-up instrument than a new
one.
Classical musicians look down on the
harmonium. For years, it was not allowed to accompany singers
on All India Radio, but notwithstanding its less-than-noble
pedigree, the singers of kirtan and folk songs have taken it
to their hearts
Source:
santabanta.com
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