Table of Contents
Assam gives shelter to a number of ethnic communities and each one of them contributes and enriches their musical forms in different ways. The Bodos, Mishing, Karbi, Dimasa, and countless others have their distinct variations of styles and instruments they add to the confluence of Assamese musical forms. This can be very much well observed in the varied genres ranging from the devotional Borgeet to the lusty Jhumur and Bihugeet. This becomes very lively in the confluence between the Indian and traditional forms. Ah, the melodies of Assam! A symphony of sound that tells the tales of this lush, vibrant land. And what would those stories be without the trusty traditional instruments to bring them to life?
One of the most highly esteemed and valued forms of classical music in Assam is Borgeet, a form of highly devotional song, which evolved in the 15th century out of the Vaishnavite movement triggered in the life of the saint Sankardev. The hallmark feature of these devotional songs is their spiritual depth and complex melodies that are usually accompanied with instruments such as khol and taal. Borgeets also find a profile at the temples and religious festivals where they become a bridge for the mundane with the divine.
1. Pepa
First up, we have the Pepa, a humble horn crafted from buffalo horn (because why settle for a boring old brass trumpet, right?). When a skilled musician toots their own Pepa, it resonates with a deep, soulful sound that echoes through the misty hills.
2. Gogona
Not to be outdone, the Gogona enters the scene – a stringed instrument with more curves than a Bollywood starlet. Plucked with gusto, its notes dance and leap in joyful exuberance. But wait, what’s that drumming in the distance? Let’s have a look into that!
3. Dhol
Yes, it’s the Dhol adding its thumping heartbeat to the ensemble. This portly percussion is the life of any Bihu party, compelling even the most left-footed of revelers to sway those hips. And let’s not forget the Toka, a rhythmic rattle that adds just the right amount of shush to the beat. Its bamboo body is filled with seeds or stones, like a maraca’s quirky cousin from the Northeast.
4. Kuli
Talking of bamboo, the Kuli is a flute that sings sweet and excessive, like a birdsong at dawn. Its dulcet tones were known to make grown guys misty-eyed (but hiya, we won’t judge). And eventually, we come to the Bin, a harp that plucks at your heartstrings with its gentle melodies. With up to five strings (because 6 might just be displaying off), it weaves a tapestry of music that tells of love, longing, and the luxurious landscapes of Assam. But we can’t forget the next instrument though.
5. Khol
The khol is an enchanted percussion instrument that plays an essential role for the vibrant musical traditions of Assam, a northeastern Indian state. The barrel-shaped drum with two striking heads made of carefully tightened goatskin through straps, which produces its sound, is made of terracotta clay or wood. For playing, the musician sits cross-legged, holding it horizontally in their lap and striking the two heads with their palms, fingers, and wrists in elaborate patterns to create spellbinding rhythms.
6. Toka
How can we forget our favourite – The toka. The small bamboo flute which carved by hand that produces hauntingly beautiful and melodious tones. Toka’s music often brings a feeling of sadness and deep thought. The farmers used to blow the lips while having a little rest in the fields. Even now, it is an act of life in folk music and folk dance, enjoyed in festivals, weddings, and many other celebrations in Assam. Quite unfortunately, there are not too many skilled makers or players of these instruments due to the passage of time. Rarer still is the experience of hearing this indigenous instrument. However, it would not last very long, as the preservation and promotion of the toka are already on. In a few years, the unique voice will continue to be heard in gardens, singing the songs of Assam.
7. Taal
Ah, the taal, such a delightful and quaint musical instrument that comes from the very rich terrain of Assam! Imagine this – a pair of shiny brass cymbals that are about the size of a small frisbee tied up together with a string, like a funny-looking musical nunchak. To play, the musician holds one cymbal in each hand and strikes them with such zest that the resulting sound would certainly make any sleeping audience member move. But that is not all; real magic comes when the cymbals are swung in an intricate series of patterns and sometimes brought to bang together and then left dangling in the air. It’s like a dancer that swings, with glimmering metal discs littered everywhere and a percussive cheerful cacophony clashing and chiming along with it – whimsy and surprise into all music performed. Such an addition would bring a smile and tap one’s feet. The next time you happen upon Assam, listen closely for the unmistakable song of the taal – which will most certainly add merriment to the day!
Conclusion
Through the music of Assam, an evidence of cultural richness and resilience of its people is shown. As it has the devotional Borgeet, the colourful Bihugeet, and the soulful Jhumur, every melody talks of the history and heritage of Assam. The music indeed continues to take shape with the evolvement of the reach-the-state as an identity, where it keeps linking the past with the present as well as connecting the traditional with the modern. We have peaceful homes away from home, where life takes a different turn; these and many other melodious tunes of Assam are finally very much imaginary. Even in the urban landscape, the touch of the land is very present through the roof and the walls, the floor is saving space, the musical landscapes of Assam narrate what are as illustrations the tongues of the nascent spirits, taking root into magnificent realities, the present lived culture of spaces and communities. Ah, the role played out very much into the melodious tunes of Assam is finally a lot more than imaginary. So the next time you find yourself tapping your toes to Assamese folk’s music, give a nod to those impressive musical storytellers – the conventional units that breathe existence into the melodies of this magical land.
