A taste of Orissa style drumming

Bholanath

Bholanath

Jedi
A friend arrived one morning as I was starting my practice and video-ed it, then gave me the tape.
I just taught myself the iMovie program, so I could stick something up on Youtube, since this particular style is not represented there. I also do Hindustani style, of which there are some samples on Youtube (both friends and teachers), but I hope to put more up, also since I can use the iSight built-in video camera on the Macbook.
Not pleased with the 'compression', but will re-do it in another format, and for future projects.

Have a look/listen: (feedback welcome) [turn it UP!]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snpdCU4qmuc
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It's a good day to die. :cool2:
 
Quite interesting and quite complex when listing to the
nuances and the variability the of changing the tones
by the fingers, plams, and hand placement around
both sides of the "drum" heads and the somewhat
independent coordination.synchronization the two
hands on seemingly different rhythms and
syncopations!

It would be quite interesting if it were possible to
write down all of what the "drummer" did into a
musical score! I wonder if it is even possible!

Thanks for sharing!
Dan
 
Whoa, man, that stuff is killin'! What type of music is that? How does that instrument relate to tabla?
 
This particular instrument (pakhawaj/mardala) is a type of the oldest percussion in India/South-Asia, going back perhaps 3-4000 years (?).
It is the precursor to the TABLA, which became widely used about 500 years ago. Used as solo, vocal/instrumental accompaniment, and dance.

I have been involved for 39 years in learning the many regional styles and variations, learning from 9 master drummers, collecting perhaps thousands of traditional patterns, both ancient and newly composed. Some of my teachers know 10's of thousands. It's an ever-evolving thing, where the primo stuff gets passed on through the generations, and constant experimentation is going on.

There is definitely a traditional language or languages involved. There are about 30 specific sounds produced on the drum, each corresponding to a verbal syllable and specific part of the hand/hands on a specific area of the skins. All rhythms must be first learned verbally before playing (oral tradition in the literal sense).
Example: |dhei -kre dha thin ta - | - - dha thin ta - | - - dha thin ta - | kita taka dhini take gedi gene | (4 beats divided into 6's here)
Some compositions are also in Sanskrit language celebrating/invoking dieties and natural phenomenon, etc.

I have used this and other similar traditional drums, not only with the Indian music (and dance), but with Afghan, Persian, Flamenco, Celtic, Middle-Eastern, Free Jazz, Afro-Brazilian, folk idioms, etc - pretty much anywhere I can throw down a rhythm.
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It's a good day to die.
 
:guru:

Awesome!

Do you play the bodhran [bow-ron]? I think one variant or another is found in different regions, but where I'm at it's a one-sided round drum hit with a beater.

Like so:

black_spiral.JPG


I recently bought one and am seeking instruction on how to do more than just bash it senseless!
 
Thanks, Kniall.

Spent some time (on/off for couple years) with bodhran, got some books, watched some instruction videos, got various pointers from amateur and semi-pro players, tried out various styles of "beaters" and techniques.

There are folks who've taken it to a high level of expertise and artistry, and it's a great instrument and tradition.
But my own take on it is that I wouldn't really "get it" until I spent some dedicated time with a qualified teacher, of whom there are many in most US (and even European) cities. Must also be decent on-line/DVDs instruction possibilities now. However, being a perfectionist, I would want to go to Ireland and hang out in the pubs, get the real download, which I still intend to do someday, maybe even next spring!

Good luck. :cool2:
 
Bholanath said:
I would want to go to Ireland and hang out in the pubs, get the real download, which I still intend to do someday, maybe even next spring!
Click to expand...

Sure we'll go for a pint then :cool2:

check this buster out:

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ChbigufBC8
 
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