Ravanhattha : Epic Journey of an Instrument in Rajasthan

Contents Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction to the folk music of Rajasthan Common folk music Professional Folk music Folk instruments of Rajasthan. 2. String instruments of Rajasthan Unique features categorization Chart. 3. Historical background of bowing instruments in India and the place of Ravanhattha. 4. Ravanhattha structural and technical details Variants allied instruments of Ravanhattha Association with Pabu Epic. 5. Epic of Pabuji and its performance epic story Phad painter narrator presentation styles temple patrons. 6. Present status of Ravanhattha players women's status living conditions. 7. A search for new patronage new patronage status of an entertaining instrument Pabu epic future. Appendices. Bibliography. Ravanhattha a musical instrument favoured by itinerant minstrels in the state of Rajasthan is a curious combination of primitive and modern features. It has been referred to in some of the earliest musical texts as one of the foremost bowing instruments of India. Mythologically it is associated with Ravana the Demon King of Lanka. Its historical background suggests that the instrument enjoyed widespread popularity throughout India till the medieval period after which it gradually got restricted to the western region. Nevertheless Ravanhattha prototypes and variants can still be found in various regions of the country. At present Ravanhattha has emerged as the most popular and representative folk music instrument of Rajasthan. It has a pivotal role to play as the instrument of accompaniment in the presentation of the folklore epic of Pabuji. Although Ravanhattha players are often unassuming tribals they have introduced various innovative modifications in this instrument making it contemporaneous. Hundreds and thousands of these wandering minstrels are earning their livelihood by narrating the epics while playing the instrument and would continue doing so in future. This book endeavours to be an exhaustive study of this wonderful instrument. 158 pp.