Swarmandal
String instrument | |
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Other names | Surmandal |
Classification |
( Chordophone), String instrument |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 314.122-5,6 (Resonated box zither, plucked by fingers or a plectrum) |
Developed | Probably imported with conquerors or traders in medieval period and adapted to suit Indian culture. May have roots in a native instrument called the mattakokilā. |
Related instruments | |
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The swarmandal (
Construction
Modern swarmandals are similar to European
History
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2022) |
The swarmandal may be the same as [speculation?] the 13th-century instrument known as the mattakokilā (intoxicated cuckoo).[4] In the Mughal period, the swarmandal was seen as equivalent by the Ā'īn-i-akbarī to the qanun.[1] In the 19th century, a writer[who?] commented that good performances on the instrument were rare, because it was difficult to play and, at the time, expensive to buy.[3]
In popular culture
Several modern artists have performed with the instrument. Some of the vocalists who have used it extensively are Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Salamat Ali Khan, Jasraj, Kishori Amonkar, Rashid Khan, and Ajoy Chakrabarty. After travelling to India in late 1966, George Harrison introduced the swarmandal into the Beatles' sound on their 1967 single "Strawberry Fields Forever".[5] He also played it on his Indian classical-style composition "Within You Without You", from the band's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.[6][7]
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Bade Ghulam Ali Khan featured on an Indian stamp with the swarmandal
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Kishori Amonkar performing with her swarmandal
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Rashid Khan playing swarmandal
See also
- Drone (music)
- Hindustani classical music
- Zither
References
- ^ a b c d e f Alastair Dick (1984). "Swarmandal". In Sadie, Stanley (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. p. 477. Volume 3.
- ^ "SWARMANDAL". Government of India.
- ^ a b Charles Russell Day (1891). "Plate VIII Svarmandala". The music and musical instruments of southern India and the Deccan. New York & London: Novello, Ewer & Company. pp. 131–134.
- ^ Sadie, Stanley, ed. (1984). "Surmandal". The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. p. 477. Volume 3.
in...Sangītaratnākara, a chordophone with 21 strings...is mentioned...does not make it clear whether this was a board zither or even whether the author had actually seen one...may have been a...harp-vīnā...
- ISBN 978-0-87930-731-8.
- ^ Elwood, Philip (3 June 1967). "Last Respects to Beatles in an Album That Turns on". San Francisco Examiner. Available at Rock's Backpages (subscription required).
- ISBN 1-86074-489-3.