Description:
Since 1941-47 the Hawaiian Slide guitar was introduced to Calcutta
(Kolkata) India by Mr. Tau Moe and his band. The 1960s were considered
to be the golden era for the slide guitar in India. Many musicians
picked up the guitar like Sunil Ganguly, Rajat Nandi, Sujit Nath,
Abhijit Nath and Kaji Aniruddha were all renowned for their
contributions to Indian film music. Not until quite recently the slide
guitar had the foot hold in Indian Classical Music. The use of the
slide dates back since the Vedic Period, both the Sarasvati Veena and
the Vichitra Veena employ the use of the side. Several forms of the
Indian slide guitar are considered recent innovations in Indian
Classical Music. It was Pandit Brij Bushan Kabra b. 1937 Jodhpur
Rajasthan who introduced the slide guitar into Indian Classical Music,
in his early 20s he was a disciple of Ali Akbhar Khan. Brij Bushan
Kabra taught both Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.
He modified the 6-stringed guitar in its original stringed arrangement
to having only 3 or 4 playing strings and omitted the 5th and 6th
strings they were replaced with two chikari strings. In the following
order the strings were tuned as 1st string D the 2nd string A the 3rd
string D and the 4th string A or DAda. The Mohan Veena & The Chatturangui: The Mohan Veena specifically was developed by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt who altered the 6 stringed guitar by adding the sympathetic or (tarraf) strings underneath the playing strings, the Mohan Veena has 22 strings in total. On the other hand we have the Chatturangui another 22 stringed slide guitar tuned in DADf#ad (open D) this model was developed by Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya. He believed that his instrument should retain the 6-strings. A characteristic of the Debashish' is that he likes to add the chikari strings to the front side of the instrument. The chatturangui also has a hollowed out neck. Where traditional instruments such as the Sitar, Sarode, Dilruba the chikari strings are arranged the other way around.
The Hansa Veena:
The hansa veena is a new musical instrument invented by Pandit Ravi
Shankar in the year 2000 upon the arrival of this 80th birthday. The
unvealing took place at an opening ceremony hosted in a ceremony New
Delhi. The inspiration behind this new instrument drew from both Indian
and European classical traditions. One of the main exponents of the
Hansa Veena is Pandit Barun Kumar.
The Shankar Veena: A recently developed hybrid featuring
elements of both the guitar and sitar. This is a different instrument then the
Chatturangui, Mohan Veena or Hansa Veena. The Shankar Guitar has 6 playing strings
and 11 tarraf (sympathetic) strings. The tarraf (sympathetic) strings
go underneath the playing strings. Dr. Kamala Shankar is the first
female exponent of Indian Classical Music to receive a doctorate in
Hindustani guitar. Her model of the “Shankar Guitar” is custom built by
Bishan Das Sharma from Rikkiram based in Delhi.
Acoustic and Electric Guitars Carnatic music):
The electric guitar with out any modifications was introduced into
Carnatic [South Indian Classical Music] during the 1970s by Kumar
Prasad he tuned the electric guitar in open tunings from
CGCgcg, BEBebe to DADada. Currently R. Prassana is one of the main
exponents playing the electric guitar in Carnatic music though many
others are taking up the electric guitar. Using a set of light guage
[7, 8 to 9] strings a steel-string accoustic guitar can also be used in
the same manner.
Other Guitars in Indian music: The electric guitar without any
modifications was introduced into Carnatic [South Indian Classical
Music] during the 1970s by Kumar Prasad. He tuned’ the electric guitar
in open tunings from CGCgcg, BEBebe to DADada. Currently R. Prassana is
one of the main exponents playing the electric guitar in Carnatic music
there are many others. Using a set of light gauge of [07, 08 to 09]
strings a steel-string acoustic guitar can also be used in the same
manner.
Foot Note: I ordered my specimen of “chatturangai” directly through Pandit
Debashish Battacharya and his brother Subashi. These "chatturangai" as
my specimen is called are like any professional Indian classical
instrument they do cost a hefty sum. The chatturangai took a year to
make and one has to be very patient in awaiting for the arrival of the
shipment. Debashish's instruments are a definate recommend to any
serious musician or afficionado :).