The Sound of Melody

Nadhaswaram..

ubiquitous in south Indian festivals/marriages/temple events...symbolically important in such events because of its status as the loudest non-brass acoustic instrument, symbolism in that it drowns out evil curses and bad sounds with its splendorously loud tone.

Nadha Swaram..sanskrit words...nadha or nadham for sound, swaram or swara for the melody or the notes that produce the melody (think Sa Ri Ga Ma or Do Re Mi Fa)...
Back home, no Diwali would be complete without the quartet/quintet of musician toting the nadhaswaram and accompanying instruments came by the house, played a soulful rendition of a classical tune, and picked up a tip or two to go with the home-made diwali-special snacks.

Consists of two-reeds attached at the mouth of a long wooden tube...strategically placed holes along the body provides the "vidwan" the play on wind they desire to obtain the required note/sound of melody


A behind-the-scenes look at the seevali - "...the piece that gives the instrument its character"(The Hindu)
Illustrates the pain-staking and exacting approach....lots of hard work and seasoned judgement..