Expo on Sangam era musical instruments, sculptures

The month-long programme, to be held at the Government Museum in Egmore, will also have a number of events and competitions for students and the public, performances and lectures, as well as panel discussions drawn from popular folk and classical traditions.

Danseuse Kavitha Ramu, Director, Department of Museums, who is spearheading the project, says, “The Iyal Isai Museum is to remind people of a glorious past -- a rewind to our culture. They have all been preserved in the anthropology gallery, and we feel it is time that they got more recognition with the audiences.”

Several instruments like the swara mandal, glass dholak, tiruchinnam and many more will be exhibited for the duration of a month. For instance, the Panchamugavadyam is a metal drum played only at Tiruvarur Tyagaraja Temple; the five faces of the drum represent the five faces of Lord Siva: Isanam, thatpurusham, aghoram, satyojatam and vamadevam. The Burmese Saung was played in the courts of various Burmese dynasties, and is the only ancient harp instrument still in use, all over Asia. The Kashtatarang is very similar to the Western xylophone, with 20 wooden pieces of various sizes are arranged on a wooden frame loosely attached and played with two sticks using both hands.

A range of eminent artistes from Chennai’s cultural milieu is expected to be a part of the presentations.

“We hope the exhibit will be educational as well as interesting. As the cultural capital of the country, we hope such an initiative will celebrate musical and dance heritage the right way,” adds Ramu.