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Narasinghapettai, a village near Thiruvidaimarudur in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district, has an inseparable place in the world of Carnatic music. The nadasvaram is referred to in many ancient Tamil texts.
Geographical Indication tag has been awarded to the Narasingapettai Nagaswaram under the category of musical instruments of class
On behalf of Thanjavur Musical Instruments Workers Co-operative Cottage Industrial Society Limited, the application for receiving the GI tag was filed by Tamil Nadu’s Nodal Officer for GI Registration of Products.
The nagaswaram that is being used by artists nowadays is named pari nagaswaram and that is longer than the thimiri. This musical instrument has a body that is cylindrical in shape and takes the shape of a bell at the bottom. This form of the nagaswaram provides volume and tone. The instrument’s length is two and a half feet. The structure of this instrument matches that of a nadasvaram. Since there are seven holes played with seven fingers, this was also called as the “eḻil”.
This instrument is “among the world’s loudest non-brass acoustic instruments”.
The nadaswaram is a traditional double-reed wind instrument that is widely played in South Indian classical music. It is one of the oldest known instruments in the Indian classical music tradition and has a significant cultural and religious presence.
Here are some key features of the nadaswaram:
The nadaswaram consists of two main parts: the nagaswaram (melody pipe) and the ottu (drone pipe). The instrument is typically made from a type of hardwood, such as ebony or sandalwood.
The nadaswaram has a double-reed mouthpiece made from a type of cane known as arali. The double reeds are bound together, and the player uses the pressure of their mouth to control the pitch and tone.
The nagaswaram, or melody pipe, is the longer of the two pipes and is played with the right hand. It produces the melody.
The ottu, or drone pipe, is shorter and provides a continuous drone sound. It is played with the left hand.
The nadaswaram has a wide range and can produce a variety of pitches. The skilled nadaswaram player can execute intricate ornamentations, slides, and fast passages. The nadaswaram is often played in temples, weddings, and other auspicious occasions in South India. It is considered an integral part of religious and cultural events. In South Indian temples, the nadaswaram is considered an auspicious instrument and is played during religious processions, ceremonies, and festivals.
The nadaswaram is often played in conjunction with the thavil, a traditional South Indian percussion instrument. The combination of nadaswaram and thavil is a popular ensemble in South Indian classical music. Nadaswaram players are skilled in rendering classical ragas and traditional compositions. The instrument is known for its ability to convey the nuances of Indian classical music.
The nadaswaram has a rich cultural heritage and is deeply ingrained in South Indian musical traditions. It is not only an instrument for entertainment but also holds religious and ceremonial significance, making it an integral part of the cultural landscape in the region.
