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The tradition of music in Haryana goes back to the Vedic
times, and it is the only state in India to have towns and villages named
after different ragas.
Haryana is rich in folk music, whose roots are firmly entrenched in the
classical music of yore. The 'Sringar Rasa' (based on love songs) has an
indirect association with renowned ragas like Bhairavi, Jayjaywanti,
'Gara' (a Persian style), 'Khamaj' and 'Kafi'. However, the folk singer
has no idea what a raga is and just goes out and sings.
Folk
music of Haryana is broadly divided into two categories namely the
classical form and country side music. The classical form of singing is
basically on songs of mythology - 'Allah', 'Jaimal' - 'Phatta',
'Barahmas', 'Teej' songs, 'Phag' and 'Holi' songs. The country side music
includes legendary tales such as Purana - 'Bhagata' in 'Rag Maand',
ceremonial songs, seasonal songs, ballads etc.
Musical Themes
Folk Songs depict the life of the people in hue and colours, with joys
and sorrows and fit into all occasions portraying life. Whether it is
meeting or separation, birth, marriage, romantic months of 'Phalgun' or
'Sawan', harvest festivals or rain etc., the befitting songs exalt the
heart and emotions with verse and rhyme.
Mainly string instruments are used to make music. The sarangi is
generally preferred. For the wind instruments, the 'been' and the
'bansuri' provide lilting tunes in tandem with the 'dholak', a drum
usually played with the palms or little sticks. A 'matka' (earthen
pitcher) may replace the dholak in certain areas to form the backbeat.
The Musical Community
The Jogis, Bhats and Sangis are the people who have made folk music
popular in Haryana. Though, their numbers are gradually decreasing rather
they are at the verge of extinction, yet, the rich and melodious tradition
of folk music still remains as a part of Haryana life.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
The instruments used by the people of Haryana are simple but loud. The
Jogis prefer the sarangi to form the musical backdrop to their songs,
which revolve around tales of chivalry and valour. There are other
instruments, which are used along with singing. The 'shehnai' (a
flute-like instrument played mainly at weddings), 'shankh' (conch shell)
harmonium, 'damru' (a small palm-held drum with strings attached to beads
which hit the sides when shaken), 'nagara', 'ghungru', 'tasha', 'khanjri'
and 'manjira'. Musical geniuses, these Haryanvis; they create music even
with matchsticks, papaya, the fruit, the hard core of a mango and a strip
of wood.
Dholak: Dholak is a small percussion instrument often used by
women and professional musicians. The main body of the Dholak is a shell
made of wood and the heads are mounted with skin. A rope or thread is
passed around the shell and over the braces to adjust the pitch of sound
produced by striking the faces of the skin with hands to produce beats.
Some times two sticks are tied to a finger or a ring is put around the
thumb to produce an additional effect.
Khartals: or wooden cymbals are two pieces of hard wood made flat
on one side and round on the other. Fixed in the fingers of one hand the
flat surfaces are struck with each other to produce percussive sounds.
Sometimes, small bells or metallic rings are also fixed at the back of
each Khartal to produce a tinkling effect.
Gharah: This is simple earthen pitcher and is used as an
accompaniment to provide rhythm with folk singing. The open mouth is
covered with stretched rubber and is played with a small stick. Raagni
singers often use it with Nagara and Dholak to complement the musical
beat.
Manjira: Manjiras (cymbals) are made of brass and are either flat
or cup-shaped. These are used in pairs of different sizes and shapes. They
are played in classical as well as folk and devotional music as an
accompaniment. Two cymbals are tied together with a long chord and are
struck with each other on the front sides to produce very pleasant
tinkling sounds.
Been: This wind instrument is used primarily by the snake
charmers. But it has found its permanent place, now, in Haryanvi dances
too. Made from dried pumpkin, it has two joint pipes to produce different
notes. The player of Been has to produce continuous flow of air by
breathing into it.
Deru: Deru is a Dholak-like percussion instrument made of a wooden
shell and skin mounted on both sides. In fact, it is a large Damru, which
is struck with sticks to produce rhythmic beats. Deru is used by folk
performers as well as wandering devotees.
Chimta: It is a twang like instrument made of two long metallic
strips joined on one side. The strips are often embellished with rings,
which produce tinkling sounds when the Chimta is played. To produce
percussive sounds, one holds the joint in one hand and plays strips
between the fingers by striking one with the other. The Chimta is often
used as an accompaniment in folk musical performances.