Harmonium is one of the integral parts of Indian Music, especially classical music to some extent modern music too. This reed instrument has not enriched the culture of Indian music but also plays a vital role in the evolution of the world music industry. The instrument is capable of creating up to 12 surs and 22 shrutis that show its vast range. In this instrument, the keys which are played are continuously compressed by the bellows top to create a significant note, tone, and pitch. It is mainly made with wood, metal, brass, and cloth to craft a melodic tonal quality.
Origin
Though harmonium is originated in West Bengal, the instrument was first designed in the 1700s by Christian Gottlieb Kratzenstein. He was a professor of physiology at the University of Copenhagen. This first design was way more compact like a small-sized organ along with a foot paddle below. The paddle is used to work as a pump that allows wind to pass through the chamber which is a pressure-equalizing air reservoir. As a result, the wind creates a vibration in the metal reeds to create a melody. The volume of sound was regulated by several valves and knobs which were placed on the top. It helped to bypass the air through the chamber and create different resonance to craft dynamic compositions. The Europeans introduced the instrument in America and its usage slowly spread in the colonies. However, the instrument lost its aura with the constant flux of change in the American music industry.
The instrument was revamped and regained its aura in India with help of Dwarkanath Ghose. Mr. Ghoshe created a hand-pump version of harmonium in Calcutta and it began to enrich the classic music again. The foot-operated paddle was replaced by a hand-operated bellow in the rear of the tool. The drone knobs were added to churn out a more harmonic sound which can be manipulated with a scale-changing method. This version of the instrument was a modernized form that is less complex in nature, inexpensive, and way easier to maintain and repair. As a result, India became the leading harmonium manufacturing company in the world by 1915.
Influence
Harmonium is deeply connected with the traditional gharanas of Indian music. It is being widely used in the classical, Sufi, folk, ghazal, and many other genres for its harmonically rich tones. It is also being widely used in Marathi and Parsi stage music as well as local musical darbars. Even the religious songs in Gurudwaras and temples started using it due to its compatibility with loud audible music, perfect for group singing like bhajans. While some call it ‘vaja’ or ‘peti’, harmonium started spreading its musical aura everywhere within and beyond India. Other Asian countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh also enriched their Sufi, Qawwali music with the help of harmonium. Some of the greatest harmonium players like R.K. Bijapure, Krishna Das, Tulsidas Borkar, and many others have proven the paramount importance of this musical instrument.
Throughout the history of Indian classical music, Harmonium has always stayed at the top of musicians’ preference and it is still proving its relevance.