The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.317

v1.c10.317

Of percussion instruments, the *ḍholaka*, played either on one or both sides (Illustrations Nos. 169 and 170), is the most prevalent representative to be met with everywhere; and was made of various shapes. Some were of large size with small ends and broad centres, like the *Mṛdaṅga* of our day; others less protuberant in the middle, but with broad **[114]** ends like the *pākhowāj*; others again of a very small size. (Illustration No. 172.) Of the large military drum played with a stick, the *raṇaḍhakkā* and *jayaḍhakkā*, with which the heroes of the *Rāmāyaṇa* and the *Mahābhārata* are said to have inspired their legions with military ardour in the battle-field, no specimen has been met with at Bhuvaneśvara; but a small variety, probably the *ṭim-ṭimi*, *Anglicé tom-tom*, or the kettledrum, so played, is not rare. The tambourine, *khañjanī*, is also met with. At Sāñci the large war drum is common. The ceiling of the Mukteśvara porch has several scenes of concerts, in most of which the central figure is represented singing to the accompaniment of a *ḍholaka* and cymbals. Flutes, (Illustration No. 171), with latteral blowing holes, pipes, trumpets, (Illustration No. 173), and cymbals, large (*karatāla*) and small (*mandirā*), are common everywhere, but all of the ordinary modern form. The flutes were perforated with three to seven holes; the last was probably the highest number, and the player, who could manage them was deemed highly proficient, for we find in the *Toy Cart* a servant of a courtezan claiming great superiority on that score. He says, "A pretty situation for a man of many talents; for one who can play the flute with seven holes, the *vīṇā* with seven strings; who can sing like a jackass, and who acknowledges no musical superior, except, perhaps, Tamburu or Nārada."¹⁵⁷ In one instance I noticed what appeared to me to be a pair of castanets, such as are in use in the present day, and I think that it was not unknown in ancient times in India. It occurs among the sculptures of Thebes, and Wilkinson supposes it was not only used in the Egyptian army, but by the buffoons, who danced to its sound.¹⁵⁸ At Bhuvaneśvara, it is represented on the ceiling of the Mukteśvara temple. The conch shell scarcely deserves to be reckoned as a musical instrument, but as it was so used, and is common, like the gong *kāṃsya*, at Bhuvaneśvara, it is necessary to name it. It was of modern shape (Illustration No. 174), and used very much in the same way as in the present day.