Ravanhatta played by a Rajasthani Folk Musician near Jodhpur

Mandore is an ancient regional capital just 9km north of Jodhpur in Rajasthan in the Northwest of India. There are very few tourists, some Indians who enjoy the plants and trees, a relaxed atmosphere with a lot of monkeys jumping around and staying in ancient ruins and ruinous Palaces.
When I visited Mandore Gardens near Jodhpur I saw an old man near a Temple playing the Ravanhatta.

I was amazed how the player produced such a full sound on this simple and small Instrument. He has made this Instrument by himself.

The tuning of the 10 sympathetic strings made from steel are in Indian Notation:

Sa ni Sa re ga Ma Pa dha ni Sa (small letters are flat Notes) This belongs to the Bhairavi That or contains the notes of Raag Bhairavi.

The sound reminded me of the Sarangi.

The Ravanahatha (Ravanhatta or Ravanastron or Ravana hasta veena) is a popular fiddle of western India. The bowl is made of cut coconut shell, the mouth of which is covered with goat hide. The principal strings are two: one of steel and the other of a set of horsehair.

Throughout Medieval history of India, kings were patrons of music. This helped in increased popularity of Ravanhatta among royal families. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, it was the first musical instrument to be learned by princes. Sangit tradition of Rajasthan further helped in popularizing Ravanhatta among ladies as well.

Ravanahatha is known as the first musical instrument with strings to be played with a bow and recognised as the world's first violin.
According to the legend, Ravana was an ardent devotee of the Hindu god Shiva. Ravana served Shiva using the soulful music emanating from the ravanahatha.

The movie was recorded on 20th December 2010 with a Bridge Camera Panasonic Lumix
DMC- FZ 18 in Mandore near Jodhpur / Rajasthan in Northwest India.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ravanhatta
• Rajasthan
• Sarangi
• Violin
• India
• Folkmusician

[amitsabharwal88]

rajasthan folk music strikes directly to heart..

[jensdab]

@amitsabharwal88

Yes he is a gifted musician. When I first heard his playing in the temple area I thought this sounds like a Sarangi because the sound was so full and rich. When I came closer I was amazed to watch the musician playing on such a simple Instrument. I was able to buy this Ravanhatta direct from him and I think he also has made the instrument himself. I have tried to play the Ravanhatta - it's not easy to produce sounds and it sounds much better in a dry climate of Rajasthan.

[biGpoppapimp1]

@amitsabharwal88

so true it does...you can feel it in your soul

[amitsabharwal88]

@jensdab  i h

d also heard one on my trip to rajasthan...when u hear it playing live ......a person just enjoys the music

[Max0Inq]

He must be the local master. Most ravanhatta players play generic repetive melody.

And I must admit the tone of this instrument is remarkable - but I don't know why. Maybe because of drone strings? Arabic spike fiddles share similiar construction, but their tone is very nasal and thin.

2:09 - the generic melody I thought he won't play :)