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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
neously.1 Gumja-panava and bhambha were the musical instruments used by the meņthas ( elephant-drivers ) and the mătangas.2 Dundubhi was similar to bherî but was constricted towards the mouth-piece. Muraja was larger than bheri in size, 8 Nalika was an instrument made from the jointless portion of the bamboo reed ( apavva-vaṁsa ); it was known as murali ( flute ) also.* Other musical instruments like kaṁsiga, kaṁsālaga, bhala, talajala and vădiyat have also been mentionned which are not included in any of the traditional four groups. The large number of instruments mentioned in the NC. indicates the popularity of the musical instruments in the society during this time,
There were also organised bands of singers and musicians who were proficient in playing the various instruments. The head or master of such bands was known as türyapati and the other artists working under him were known as kusila or talacara.? These musicians were usually employed by the king for various purposes, and we find that it was their proud privilege to receive the old garments of the king apart from the wages as a reward of their services to the king.
These musical instruments were played upon on various social and religious occasions. 9 Army always marched in accompaniment to the sound of various musical instruments 10
1. मुहमूले एगमुहा सा संखागारेण वाइज्जमाणी जुगवं तिणि सपिरिपिरिती करेति
NC. 4, p. 201. 2. Tatouat HiJIu Haiti HT ARITM Hafel-Ibid. The term Guñjā
occurring in the Ayāra Nijjuiti (v. 166 ) has been explained by Silanka Sūri as under-T58THI JET TS T ara # T=51917: -
See, Kapadia, JOIB., Vol. II. 3. NC. 4, p. 381. 4. mifce for 3790al vafà, Fr TU MIC "get Hoft-NC. I, p. 84. 5. Fit-EPIETIETET-735-7195-a131NC. 4, p. 201. 6. NO. 3, p. 577; Bịh. Vf. 1, p. 190. 7, Tagfafa: failasta: grifa athaTINC. 3, p. 577. 8. Ibid. 9. Sec-Music. 10. NO. 1, p. 8.
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