107 



obtainable in this city. I have therefore to depend upon descriptive 

 detail alone, with notices of the uses to which they are put by native 

 musicians of India, according to my own experience. 



Nos. 1, 2, 3, in Catalogue. Native Name (Jhanj). — Metal 



Cymbals, of various kinds. 



These are used as accompaniments to all native music ; but in the 

 north more frequently in connexion with that of a religious character 

 than in the south, where in all shapes they are universal. The larger 

 kinds, whether of silver or of bell metal, when clashed together have an 

 effect similar to those in use in our own military bands, and form fitting 

 unison with the hoarse bray of trumpets, the shrill pipes and flageolets, 

 the drums, and large choruses of male voices, by which the temple music, 

 chaunts, hymns, and the like, is generally executed. Cymbals differ in 

 form and sound : some have the effect of large gongs; others, of a softer 

 and more tinkling character, are used with softer music. In all, how- 

 ever, the effect for the most part is to assist in marking the time, which 

 is done very skilfully and evenly by the performers. 



In the south of India another kind of cymbal is used, which is in 

 the form of two cups, of bell metal, and of which there is no specimen 

 here. Of these one is held in the left palm, secured by a cord passed round 

 the hand, and is struck by the other, which is held loosely in the right. 

 Players on these cymbals are extremely dexterous, and produce a not 

 unpleasing accompaniment to the voice, or to instrumental music, by 

 striking the cups together in such a manner, outside, inside, and upon 

 their edges, as to form notes in accordance with the voice, or the other 

 instruments by which it may be accompanied. This cymbal accompa- 

 niment is played with more execution than may be conceived possible 

 from the nature of the instrument. I have heard professors even play 

 solos upon it, which, if not very intelligible as to tune, were at least 

 curious in execution and diversity of time, as suited to the various styles 

 of music. Cymbals are used both by Hindu and Mahomedan musicians, 



4. HT^yt ( Thalia) . — Gong. 



This needs no particular description. It is beaten in temple music, 

 or as calls to sacrifice or ceremony at different hours of the day, and is 

 used by many of the professional religious mendicants of the country, 

 more especially those who are accompanied by bulls or goats which per- 

 form tricks. The thalla or gong, is not used as an accompaniment to 

 vocal music, nor to any but the loud, crashing and generally disso- 

 nant music of temple ceremonies. It is not used by Mahomed ans ex- 

 cept when struck as a clock, noting the hours of the day as shown by 

 the water-clock or hour-glass, and in this respect indeed it is common 

 both to Hindus and Mahometans. 



