nAdasvaram

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Karanth,

 

 

I've given references to the "reed" instrument, nAdasvaram

in a mail to previous avatar of this list. "nAda" in nAdasvaram

seems related with nALam/nADA/nADI "reed" in skt. and tamil.

http://listserv.liv.ac.uk/cgi-shl/WA.EXE?A2=ind0101&L=indology&P=R9990

 

It'll be interesting to research whether Aryadeva (born in Sri Lanka,

acc. to J. C. Holt, Buddha in the crown, (on avalokita cult in SL),

and probably worked in Kanchi since the urn containing his ashes

were found there) refers to this instrument. Also, any data

on Aryadeva - his birthplace etc., is appreciated.

 

Very rarely, nAdasvaram is called nAgasvaram. The savant of Sanskrit

studies, Dr. V. Raghavan, Madras has written about this name,

I hope to find the reference.

 

Regards,

N. Ganesan

[Guest guest]

NAGASVARAM

Conical oboe of Southern India. About 95 cms long. Uses an oval reed

(classed as a double reed) mounted on a short conical staple. Seven

equidistant fingerholes. Two octaves. The exceedingly vibrant

penetrating sound is valued as auspicious and endears it to everyone.

Played in Hindu temples at morning and evening worship, and during

processions and festivals. Also called nayanam (Tamil) or nagasuram.

Bought from Bill O'Toole 1994

http://www.oddmusic.com/inst_text/guy_inst.html

 

 

:Is it Nadhaswaram or Nagaswaram? I will let Sri T.S.Parthasarathy,

the musicologist answer: "A controversy raged sometime ago as to

whether the instrument should be called 'Nadasvaram" or 'Nagasvaram'.

The protoganists of the first name claimed that it was the

combination of the words 'Nada' and "Svara'. But later research

showed that the various names of the instruments included Nagachinnam

and Nagasvaram. Besides, the earlier form of the instrument was

perhaps the pipe of the snake-charmer called the Bhujangasvaram and

hence the name 'Nagasvaram'. Ahobala, in his 'Sangita Parijatha',

separately decsribes two instruments, the Nagasvaram and Mukha Vina.

The final proof to support the name Nagasvaram is found in Muthusvami

Dikshitar's song 'Thyagaraja' in Sriraga where he refers to the

instrument as 'Nagasvaram'. " ( From a 1981 article in the Music

Academy's Journal).

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/5908/98reviews/nada.html

 

 

Generally Tamil Isai(music) Scholars, attribute the etymology to

 

nAga + suRam = nAgasuRam, (the music of the nAga pipers)

which latter gave in to,

nAda + svaRam = nAdasvaRam (supposedly a more sanskritised version)

 

If not satisfied with the above, ask Dr.N.Ramanathan, HOD of music at

the Madras University @

http://www.southindianmusic.com/musicmail/mail1.htm

 

regards,

Ashok