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The ''jal tarang'' (Hindi: जलतरंग) is a melodic percussion instrument that originates from the Indian subcontinent. It consists of a set of ceramic or metal bowls filled with water. The bowls are played by striking the edge with beaters, one in each hand.
, ''ReadCentral.com''. Jal tarang was also mentioned in the medieval ''Sangeet Parijaat'' text, which categorized the instrument under ''Ghan-Vadya'' (idiophonic instruments in which sound is produced by striking a surface, also called concussion
Water is poured into the bowls, and the pitch is changed by adjusting the volume of water. The number of bowls depends on the melody being played. The bowls are mostly arranged in a semicircle in front of the player, who can then reach them all easily. The player softly hits the edges of the bowls with a wooden stick to produce sound.
History
The earliest mention of the jal tarang is found in ''Vatsyayana's Kamasutra'', as playing on musical glasses filled with water.The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana, ''ReadCentral.com''. Jal tarang was also mentioned in the medieval ''Sangeet Parijaat'' text, which categorized the instrument under ''Ghan-Vadya'' (idiophonic instruments in which sound is produced by striking a surface, also called concussion
idiophone
An idiophone is any musical instrument that creates sound primarily by the vibration of the instrument itself, without the use of air flow (as with aerophones), strings (chordophones), membranes (membranophones) or electricity ( electrophone ...
s.) The ''SangeetSaar'' text considers 22 bowls to be a complete jal tarang and 15 to be of mediocre status. The bowls, of varying sizes, are made of either bronze or porcelain. Jal tarang was also called jal-yantra in medieval times, and poets of the Krishna
Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
cult (also called Ashtachhap poets) have mentioned the instrument.
Jal tarang means "waves in water", and it indicates motion of sound created or modified with the aid of water. The traditional instrument is used in Indian classical music.
Details
Water is poured into the bowls, and the pitch is changed by adjusting the volume of water. The number of bowls depends on the melody being played. The bowls are mostly arranged in a semicircle in front of the player, who can then reach them all easily. The player softly hits the edges of the bowls with a wooden stick to produce sound.
See also
*Water drum
Water drums are a category of membranophone characterized by the filling of the drum chamber with some amount of water to create a unique resonant sound. Water drums are used all over the world, but are found most prominently in a ceremonial as w ...
* Hydraulophone
A hydraulophone is a Tonality, tonal acoustic musical instrument played by direct physical contact with water (sometimes other fluids) where sound is generated or affected hydraulics, hydraulically."Fluid Melodies: The hydraulophones of Professo ...
References
External links
{{Water instruments Indian musical instruments Pitched percussion instruments