Swarmandal
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Infobox instrument
The swarmandal (Template:Langx {{#invoke:IPA|main}}), surmandal, or Indian harp is a plucked box zither, originating from India, similar to the qanun that is today most commonly used as an accompanying instrument for vocal Indian classical music.<ref name=grove>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> It is part of the culture of Northern India and is used in concerts to accompany vocal music.<ref name=gov>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The name combines Sanskrit words svara (notes) and maṇḍala (circle),<ref name=grove/> representing its ability to produce many notes. The instrument was seen as equivalent by the Ā'īn-i-akbarī to the qanun.<ref name="grove" />
ConstructionEdit
Modern swarmandals are similar to European psaltries. Autoharps are used as an equivalent instrument in India today, especially with the chord-button mechanism taken out. Modern swarmandals are trapezoidal and measure Template:Convert in length and Template:Convert width. Instruments may have as many as 40 strings, while older instruments from the 19th century were recorded as having 21 strings.<ref name="grove" /><ref name="Day">Template:Cite book</ref> The strings are hooked in a nail lodged in the right edge of the swarmandal and on the left are wound around tuning pegs which can be tightened with a special key.<ref name="grove" /> Wooden pegs were used instead of metal ones in the medieval period. A sharp Template:Convert ridge on both sides of the swarmandal stands a little apart from the nails on which the strings are tightened. This ridge functions as a bridge on both sides. The swarmandal is similar to the autoharp or zither in many respects.
HistoryEdit
Template:Expand section The swarmandal may be the same as Template:Speculation inline the 13th-century instrument known as the mattakokilā (intoxicated cuckoo).<ref name="grovesurman">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> In the Mughal period, the swarmandal was seen as equivalent by the Ā'īn-i-akbarī to the qanun.<ref name="grove" /> In the 19th century, a writerTemplate:Who commented that good performances on the instrument were rare, because it was difficult to play and, at the time, expensive to buy.<ref name="Day" />
In popular cultureEdit
Several modern artists have performed with the instrument. Some of the vocalists who have used it extensively are Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Salamat Ali Khan, Jasraj, Kishori Amonkar, Rashid Khan, and Ajoy Chakrabarty. After travelling to India in late 1966, George Harrison introduced the swarmandal into the Beatles' sound on their 1967 single "Strawberry Fields Forever".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He also played it on his Indian classical-style composition "Within You Without You", from the band's Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.<ref name="Elwood/SFExaminer">Template:Cite news Available at Rock's Backpages (subscription required).</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Bade Ghulam Ali Khan 2003 stamp of India.jpg
Bade Ghulam Ali Khan featured on an Indian stamp with the swarmandal
- Ustad rashid kan bharat bhavan bhopal (4).JPG
Rashid Khan playing swarmandal
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
Template:Zithers Template:Indian musical instruments Template:Authority control