CSSP Lecture on "Unsung Indian Musical Drums and the Science Behind Them" by Amitabha Bhattacharyya | 30th October at 3:30 pm

Centre for Studies in Science Policy 
Jawaharlal Nehru University

CSSP Lecture Series

Invites you to a Lecture on

 "Unsung Indian Musical Drums and the Science Behind Them"

by

Dr. Amitabha Bhattacharyya

(Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Sikkim University)

Venue: Room No. 225, 2nd Floor, CSSP, SSS-1 Building, JNU

Date: Monday, 30^th October 2023 | Time: 3:30 pm

 

Abstract: The Indian sub-continent has a kind of traditional drums which are very special. Usual drums, like the western drums, and Indian drums Dhak, Dhol, Dholak, etc. produce sound which is not pleasant to the ear. The reason is that a simple vibrating stretched membrane produces sound of frequencies not related to harmonics. These instruments of indefinite pitch can be used only to provide a rhythm. On the other hand, there are special drums, which were classified by CV Raman as Musical Drums, Mridangam, Pakhawaj, Tabla, Khol, Pung, Naal, Dhimay, Sri Lankan Dholki and some more. The membrane of these drums is weighted at a certain point which makes it produce a sound with frequencies related to each other in ratios of small numbers, making the sound pleasant to the ear, just like string instruments. These are instruments of definite pitch. Classical music in India is incomplete without at least one such instrument. I will explain the differences between the classes of drums from the scientific point of view, along with the story of the construction and possible development of these drums.

 

All are welcome to attend the Lecture.

 

Coordinator, CSSP Lecture Series