Traditional instruments of Tamil Nadu continue to live through their breath

However, city-based musician Sivakumar and his troupe, are on a unique quest to revive these instruments and bring alive their notes, by teaching young musicians the art of performing on these forgotten instruments.

Sivakumar demonstrates the Thokkarai, which produces a sonorous note, much like a melancholic bugle. “This instrument was popular during the time of Saints Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Nayanmar. But over the years, such instruments have been largely forgotten,” he rues.

The musician explains that some of these instruments were used by ancient Tamil musicians during occasions like marriage ceremonies and temple rituals. “The instruments can be divided as: Tholkaruvi (percussions), Thulaikkaruvi (wind instrument), Kanchakaruvi (gongs and cymbals) and Narambukkaruvi (string instruments). There are several references to these instruments found in historical inscriptions and songs from classic Tamil literature. For example, Karaikkal Ammaiyar’s songs contain a reference to the Thokkarai. Tiruchinnam, a brass instrument resembling a trumpet, was popular during Saint Sambandar’s period, in the seventh century. These instruments were the highlight of temple festivals during ancient times, which unlike today, were celebrated with pomp and gaiety,” says Sivakumar.

Tracing the history, Sivakumar says that there were more than 70 different instruments mentioned in Tamil literature. But many of these have been lost forever. “Today, there are only around 20 such instruments in practice. One of the instruments which survived is the Panchamukha Vadyam, a metal drum with five faces. It is made of bronze and covered with animal skin. This ancient drum is extremely rare and is still played at the Thyagaraja Temple in Tiruvarur,” explains this musician, who has been assiduously hunting for rare musical instruments mentioned in Tamil literature. 

In ancient Tamil Nadu, music was a way of life, says Sivakumar. “Till the last century, every house had a Sangu (conch), because the sound had a therapeutic effect. When we started discarding our traditions, our lives have been frenetic, leading to early onset of many medical conditions,” he mused.

Sivakumar clearly recalls the moment, when music transformed his life. “I was working at a citybased firm. When I was attending a wedding, I heard the traditional Sangu being played. At that moment, I lost myself and started dancing — the music had such an effect on me. From that moment on, it had become my life’s aim to revive our lost musical instruments, forgotten cultural practices and save them for posterity,” he said.

Sivakumar keeps these musical traditions alive, through his troupe Kosainagaraan Kayilaya Vadhya Isaikuzhu, which performs using these ancient, rare instruments.