Bihu 2023: The Enchanting World Of Musical Instruments Used For Bihu Dance

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bihu festival, whether performed at home in India or by NRI Assamese abroad, should have atleast a touch of the drums and flutes, and other indigenous accompanying instruments to complete the music and dance ensemble. The life line of folksongs is the accompanying music that comes in variety of avatars, from Dhol to Nagada. Music can be performed without dance at the background but dance cannot be performed without music. Music is what sustains dance.

Every region in India has its own song and dance tradition especially so in the North East, where there are plenty of dance forms to keep you glued to your seat, but also a wide variety of instruments that create an enchanting medley of lilting melodies and thumping beats.

India which is a land of culture, in a nutshell, is all about music and dance, and host of other fine arts and mystical traditions. Musical tradition of Assam is unique and enlightening in its own way. Let us see which instruments are used, that give the appealing result that we look forward to. Let us now have a look at the various instruments used in the Bihu dance.

Dhol was extensively used by Vaishnav community in their celebrations. But for the Assamese, Dhol is what makes a rendition totally lively and inspiring. You use either your hands, or bamboo sticks, to play this two sided instrument. Dhol is made of a wooden cylindrical shaped structure that is covered on both ends by animal skin.

If the skin is fastened tightly the pitch of the instrument goes up and for a lower pitch, you can adjust by making adequate changes by tightening the skin around it. The Dhol infuses life breath into the otherwise melodious music with its thundering musical support.

The Percussion instruments

Khol also is a percussion instrument that looks very much like Dhol. The instrument has one small head at the end and a large head at the other end, and is made out of clay. You need both hands to play it and a band to hang it from your neck for the ease of playing it.

Nagada is a kettle drum wherein sticks are used for beating the drums and usually sound heavenly with the accompaniment of Shenai.

The Wind Instruments

Chiphung, Kali, Shinga and Gagana may sound queer and right from the ancient past. But they are very much in and used extensively in the music dance ensembles of today.

The Chiphung

Chiphung is nothing but a flute made out of bamboo that looks like Shenai and uses similar techniques to play it.

Shinga

Shinga is nothing but the horn of a buffalo into which a little bamboo pipe is thrust. Shinga is very shrill and is used mainly to announce the next or upcoming cultural event in any occasion.

Kali

Kali is more intricate in terms of its features, and bears even more striking resemblance to shenai in most of the ways,

Gagana

A very delicate instrument, it is crafted out of Bamboo, and very delicate to the touch. Women play it daintily with their hands and teeth. This emits a very shrill sound, that gives a robust and colourful feel to the Bihu Occasion..

These instruments are the most extensively used instruments but there are others as well, in the stringed and solid category that are played, like the Tokari, Serenda, Been Taal and Kah.

Disclaimer: The information is based on assumptions and information available on the internet and the accuracy or reliability is not guaranteed. Boldsky doesn't confirm any inputs or information related to the article and our only purpose is to deliver information. Kindly consult the concerned expert before practising or implementing any information and assumption.