World Music Day: Celebrating Rare Instrumentalists

Music is everywhere. It has become such a great part of everyone’s lives; most of us can’t go a day without it. As we celebrate World Music Day today, we want to introduce you to these unique instruments played by some amazing folk artists from all over the country.

Handpan

The ‘Handpan’ was first created in the year 2001, it’s hand crafted from two half shells of steel sheet with hollow inside. Daniel Walpes creates enchanting, soothing and resonating sound, almost relaxes you to an optimum capacity. He’s a traveler and does his magic across the globe.

Kora

The ‘Kora’ is a stringed instrument built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin. Traditional Koras feature 21 strings, eleven played by the left hand and ten by the right. Martin Dubios has got his hands on it and we think nothing can sound more soothing than this, hear him and you will agree.

Gogona

‘Gogona’ from Assam is a vibrating reed instrument used primarily in the traditional Bihu music. It’s made up of a piece of bamboo that has a bifurcation on one end. Anupam K Nath plays many instruments and we can surely say that he does an amazing job.

Dotara

‘Dotara’ is an instrument associated with the people of Bengal. Although a dotara can have 4-5 strings, most playing is done primarily on two strings, hence the name. Enjoy the music of the baul and fakiri on World Music Day. Premangshu Das is a folk artist who has achieved the art of playing this instrument. He’s a vocalist as well who performs at many places in Kolkata, India.

Hulusi

‘Hulusi’ is a free-reed wind instrument from China. It is made of three bamboo pines inserted into the bottom end of the gourd wind chest. Martin Dubios is a multi instrumentalist and a throat singer, he has mastered the hulusi to perfection.

Theremin

We think there are two kind of people – ones who love the sound of a ‘Theremin’ and ones who haven’t heard it yet. The Theremin is one of the first electronic instruments ever made; musicians play it without any contact to the instrument. Dr.Prakash Sontakke has a Ph.D in music and delivers many performances across Bangalore city.

By : Aatira Kakroo