19. Music and Dancing

Music, both vocal and instrumental and dancing, were quite well-known in vedic times.60 In the Brahma Purana there are numerous references to music, both vocal and instrumental as well as dancing. Thus it is said that on Meruprasta some people were singing, some were playing the musical instruments and some people were dancing (26.33). In connection with the parting off of the splendour of the Sun-god it is mentioned that Haha, Huhu, Narada and Tumburu who were skillful in music (Gandharvakusalah) and who were accomplished in three 60 Majumdar R.C. and Pusalkar A.D.(ed.), The vedic age, PP.392, 456-457, 518-519.

} 440 t musical scales based on sadja, madhyama and Gandhara notes, began to sing in joy-giving timbre both with modulations and with protracted tones (murchhanabhisca talaisca) and with combinations (samprayogaih) and some nymphs danced displaying many dramatic actions replete with amorous and coquettish gestures and dalliance (32.97-101). People came to the svayamvara of Parvati with musical instruments (36.65), and various types of musical instruments (Namavadya) were played (36.125). ' Lord Siva is said to be 'Gitavaditranrtyanga' and 'Gitavadanakapriyah' (40.62), Nartanasila, Mukhavaditrakarin and Gitavaditrakarin (40.20). On the Himalaya region, the nymphs danced, the Gandharvas sang and played the divine instruments (38.19). Women knew the art of singing and dancing (41.33). Lord Siva was worshipped by melodious songs, musical instruments and dances (41.65,66). The prostitutes were proficient in singing, dancing and art of conversation (43.43,43). Various musical instruments were played on religious festivals (65.8). The whole Ramayana was sung by Lava and Kusa in the Hayamedha performed by Rama. They were wellknown as good singers like Narada and possessed beautiful voice like the Gandharvas (154.16). There is a reference to a candala who was expert in the art of singing and sang many songs accomplished in the musical scales, Gandhara, Sadja, Naisada, Pancama and Dhaivata on the eleventh day in honour of lord Visnu (227.9-11). The songs were sung in the

441 assembly of lord Brahma (7.30). The gods sing the Rks, samans, yajus and Atharvas in honour of lord siva and praise him by the words 'Hayi Hayi Hare Hayi Huvahava' (40.44,45). The Gayanas and Varnakas (a strolling playing or singer) are mentioned (48.7). The following instruments are mentioned in particular 61 • Anaka:- It is a large military drum beaten at one end. The Gandharvas are stated to play it (32.102). As at the time of the birth of king Devamidhusa's son, the anakadandubhis (same as anaka) were played, he was named as Anakadundhbhi (14.15,16). Bheri:- A kettle-drum. At the time of bathing lord krsna, the Bheris were played (65.12). The western gate of Yamaloka resounds with Bheri (214.215). The Dundubhi:- It is a sort of large kettle-drum. Brahma Purana often refers to it. The reference to Anakadundubhi is already noted above. The Gandharvas played it (32.102). It was played in the Ekamrakaksetra (46.21). It was played in religious festivals like the performance of sacrifice (47.59) 61 The meanings of various musical instruments are taken from Monier Williams A Sanskrit-English Dictionary.

442 The Anakadundubhis were played at the time of lord krsna's birth (182.12). Ghanta:- The bells were ringing at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna, Balarama and Subhadra (65.13). Lord Siva is described as Ekaghanta, ghantajalpa, ghantin, Sahaskraghanta, Sataghanta and ghantamalapriya (40.26). Gomukha:- It is a kind of musical instrument. Monier Williams doubts whether it be a sort of horn or trumpet. The Gomukhas were played in the Ekamrakaksetra (46.20). Jharjhara:- It is a kind of drum. They were played at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna, Balarama and Subhadra (65.12), Kahala:- It is a kind of large drum. The j kahalas were played at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna. Balarama and Subhadra (65.12). The western door of the Yamaloka resounded with kahalas (214.115). Ksepani:- It is mentioned along with other musical instruments (41.18). Mrdamga:It is a kind of drum. The Brahma Purana often refers to it. It was played at the bath ceremony of lord krsna (65.12). The Mrdamgas were played in patala (21.12). The Gandharvas played it (32.102). It was played at the time

{ 443 of the performance of sacrifice (41.18). The Ekamrakaksetra resounded with it (46.20). When Canura and Mustika were defeated by krsna and Balarama, Kamsa prohibited the playing of Mrdamgas (193.58). The western door of Yamaloka resounded with it (214.R 15). Muraja:It is a kind of drum. It was played at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna (65.12). Panava:- It is a small drum or a kind of cymbal used to accompany singing. It was played at the time of paring of the lustre of Sun (32.102). It was played in the Ekanrakaksetra (46.20). Pataha:- It is a kettle-drum or war-drum. It was played at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna (65.12) and at the time of the paring off of the lustre of the Sun (32.102). The puskaras Puskara:- It is the skin of a drum. are mentioned along with other musical instruments (32.102). Sankha:- It is a conch-shell used for offering libations of water or as an ornament for arms or for the temples of an elephant, a conch-shell perforated at one end is also used as a Mx wind instrument or horn in the battles of epic poetry, each hero being represented as provided with a conch-shell which serves as his horn or trumpet and often

has a name. 444 The Brahma Purana often refers to it. RME It was played It at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna (65.12), at the time of the paring off of the lustre of the Sun (32.102). was played in the Ekamrakaksetra (46.20) and at the western door of the Yamaloka (214.115). Tumbivina:- It is a kind of lute. Lord Siva is said to have the guard as his lute (40.23). Turya:A kind of musical instrument. It was played at the time of paring off of the lustre of Sun (42.103), at the time of the bathing ceremony of lord krsna (65.12) and at the time of wrestling between krsna, Balarams, Cenura and Mustika (193.29). Vaditra:. It was a pleasant instrument. The Brahma Purana seems to refer to it in the sense of a musical instrument in general (164.8). Lord Siva was fond of playing Vaditra by mouth, might be a variety of mouth-organ (40.20). It is mentioned in connection with the paring off of the lastre of the Sun (32.103). Venu:- A Flute. It was played at the time of the bath ceremony of lord krsna (65.12), at the time of the paring off of the lustre of the Sun (32.101) and the patala

445 (21.12) and Ekamrakaksetra (41.18), (46.20) resounded with it. 62 Vina:- The Vina or Indian lute is an instrument of the guitar kind and is supposed to have been invented by Narada, usually having seven wires or strings raised upon nineteen frets or supports fixed on a long rounded board, towards the ends of which are two large gourds, its compass is said to be two octaves, but it has many varieties according to the number of strings, etc. The Brahma Purana states that it was played at the time of the bath-ceremony of lord krsna (65.14), at the time of the paring off of the lustre of the Sun (32.101) and the Ekamrakaksetra (41.18), (46.20), the patala (21.12), and the western door of Yamaloka (214.111) are said to resound with it.