The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c10.21

c10.21

The Dasaris, a mendicant class of temple servers of Vaisnavite persuasion, usually employ a little side-drum, with one head only, called Dinni, not unlike the modern Egyptian “Tabl Shâmî”; other mendicants, called Andis, outcasts from Saivite sects, play upon a small gong called Semakkalam, which they beat with a stick. Both Dasaris and Andis often carry a horn as well, and support themselves by singing doleful ballads or hymns at street corners and by begging. Work of any sort they decline. The ordinary native band of discordant wind instruments, drums, and cymbals found throughout Southern India is called Méla. The players in these bands are mostly taken from a caste of Telegu-speaking barbers called “Mángala-vândlu,” who make this their special profession and provide the music, so-called, commonly heard at temple ceremonies, weddings, festal gatherings, and all street “tamâshas.” The composition of these bands varies greatly, the number of instruments in some cases being as many as thirty and in others perhaps only three or four; generally one or two nâgasâras—a s'ruti or drone—a drum such as the dhol—and a pair of cymbals (called Jhanj), about ten inches or a foot in diameter, are found. Sometimes a méla, consisting of a single mukavina, a flute, a flageolet, a drone, and a small side-drum called Dhanki is employed.²