Haryanvi Music – A way of life For Some

I guess my idea of writing down my experiences has been appreciated by all  my friends. Everyone feels that it is a worthwhile practice to read what someone known to you writes rather than read something written by a person you are not familiar with. All the same, this is not only increasing my passion to see newer places but is also a major reason why I am taking up newer challenges. These occasions where I can take a decision to visit a place or do something new just so that I can write about them, make me a much more wiser and adaptable person.

So when my wife’s friend Gunjan came down from her long sabbatical in Europe and suggested that we go to Haryana, her home town and breathe the culture and tradition there , I was more than willing. Mussoorie, is anyway my mainstay. I could always make sure that I learn about things happening here. I had the time. But Haryana was a faraway place for me. I have travelled around the world but feel sad that I have done as much justice to India which is a storehouse of places. Thus, when the offer to visit Haryana came along, I did not hesitate. After a brief discussion of how schedules could be adjusted, my wife and I decided to go along with Gunjan.

Armed with my laptop , camera and video camera, I was ready with my bag in tow. I have this habit of having a travel bag. I just need to dump in some clothes and I am ready. Mark of a true traveler? Hmm maybe or maybe just a dash of carelessness?

So back to Rohan’s car which took us to Delhi. I bid goodbye to Ghanshyam, Rohan’s driver and thanked him for always dropping me at Delhi, each time I stepped out. Then the railway station at Delhi, agog with all the activity on earth. Even if God came down for a few seconds to Delhi’s station, I doubt if anyone would even notice. The station was so busy. The Amritsar Shatabdi Express took us to the Ambala station. The absolute beauty of the surroundings just enthralled me and I was eager to reach the city of Ambala. This is the place where the Indian Army and Indian Force are stationed in the cantonment area. The district of Ambala is a major tourist spot.

As the train sped past, the beauty of India was evident in the landscape that we were passing by. The culture and tradition of all the Indian states is something to cherish. I was happy I was visiting one such state to see one such facet of Indian culture – Haryanvi music.

Haryanvi folk music is sure a common hit amongst a group of music revelers. The traditions and culture of this region is reflected in the music sung by the locals. I was looking forward to some good music that the place might give me.

“Could you arrange for a music session, Gunjan?” I asked Gunjan expectantly. Gunjan said she would try.

The stations fled by and the destination was nearing. The two hour journey to Ambala in the Amritsar Shatabdi Express was filled with my planning for what I could do to make my stay there fruitful. As the train entered Ambala station, one of the oldest stations here, I was all set to enjoy my visit here. Yes, I told myself I am going to make my blog more interesting this time.

As we sped past the greenery around and reached Gunjan’s lovely bungalow set amidst picturesque background , I was just thankful I had the chance to visit this place. The bungalow was a lovely place and Gunjan’s house was filled with warmth and love. There was a lovely backyard where we could spend the entire life looking at the idyllic surroundings.

A sumptuous lunch and then we were ready to unwind and plan our schedule. I wanted a music session first. So Haryanvi music on the menu, we set about planning how to get it done. Gunjan had her cultural club members who were more than ready to have an impromptu “Mehfil”. Soon enough all of us did a quick spring cleaning of the house. Nathu, Gunjan’s caretaker enhanced the set up by bringing in some lovely white gaddis and bolsters. A few lanterns lit and the incense sticks lighted up, we were actually ready with a professional Mehfil set up. As the evening approached and we had instructed Ramakant our cook who we had brought along to whip up the most delicious bhajiyas for the crowd which was due to come in anytime.

The evening sun setting, the soft music atmosphere setting in, and the lanterns twinkling in the darkness of dusk, and I was completely taken in by the fast arrangement that we had made for listening to some Haryanvi music. The folk music of Haryana is predominantly, traditional and is based on old beliefs that are showcased in a very lively and vibrant way. Haryanvi music is famous as being played on certain occasions and festiva

l celebrations. The music is majorly based on the Ragas of the Hindustani Music Style.

I looked forward to this kind of music as it was often accompanied by rhythmatic dancing. As Gunjan’s cultural members trooped in, I was getting excited for the evening to follow. Each of them had brought along lot of musical instruments. Ravi had brought the dholak, while Shyam brought the Shehnai, Manju was with the harmonium and Shree was having the Nagara. Malavika had the ghunghuru and Vasant was having the Khanjri. A small boy of around 10 years was to play the Sarangi. I was quite impressed and wished I had done such things as a child. Time wasn’t lost, I could still do it, and I told myself.  Prasanna and Simran were going to dance along with Rajesh and Madan. The entire ambience was filled with a lot of devotion and enjoyment. The beauty of the musical instruments used in Haryanvi music is to understand how the instruments have been created out of wood and the regular items of household. It was a great intriguing thing to see all this. I was glad we arranged for this session.

Firstly, the group started with classical music. Haryanvi music has two types classical and countryside. They sang the classical first. Sohan and Manjiri started the vocals after introducing the kind of song they were to sing. They said that the songs were mostly based on legends from Indian mythology like the Barahmas and the Jaimal Phatta. As they started singing and the notes hit the air around, I felt a vibration which was powerful, a feeling which was unbelievable. Certainly music is a therapy and all who sing well are blessed. The two renditions given by them were applaudable and the start was great. After them, two young girls of around 16 years came up . They were Shashikala and Minal. They sang the countryside kind of Haryanvi music. There were lovely renditions of Pahari, Pilu and Malhar ragas. Yes, our visit was fruitful and the evening was wonderfully progressing to the throes of passionate music.

As the sound of the saraangi and the dholak sounded in the background, the lovely beat of the ghunguru and the dancing daintiness of the two experts was a feast to watch. The heart rending tunes of the songs added to the charm and I was filled with spiritualistic fervor after hearing some of the beautifully sung songs.

The sound of the dhol was the mainstay of the songs and it made me go up to the dance floor and start tapping a step or two. Everyone was surprised to see me the “videshi babu” dancing to Indian tunes. But little did they know that I am as much Indian as them.

The next song was one on Lord Shiva. This required the Damru. The song was based on a ritual during marriage and the sound of the damru made a man get up and he danced like how Lord Shiva dances the Tandav Nrutya. All of us cheered him on and the bhajiyas that were served amidst this, just complimented everybody’s mood.

There was this small child who was beating the Manjira. These cymbals which give the beat to a song, were the most important in some songs which did not have the dholak or the damru beating. I was amazed to see this small child beating the manjira so well.

But the instrument which walked away with all appreciation was the Sarangi. The instrument played by the prodigy of 10 years made me feel that there is no age to start learning anything. This instrument which is supposed to be a very important part of Haryanvi music is what gives the music its main feature. I was enthralled and overawed by the way the child played it.

The programme progressed further with someone else coming forward to play the iktara. This intriguing instrument with its bamboo base and giving the right pitch to the singer is a great piece of workmanship and a blend of tradition and culture. The person who was playing it was a local who ran a betel nut shop as his living. It was amazing to see that after a hard day’s work, he was able to play it with such fluency.

As the songs progressed from talking about everyday life, to happy events, the crowd became very solemn when songs on sorrows and heroic deeds were being sung. When the song sang about the soldiers who have died for us, there were tears in many eyes. Finally the programmed was coming to an end and Gunjan blew the conch to signal the end of the programme.

Filled with a lot of nostalgia and pride, I was quite happy to have been part of such a lovely , enthralling Haryanvi music session. Definitely I felt, I should write on it. I guess any music lover who is reading this would surely get a Mehfil arranged and get some Haryanvi music to his house. To those, who feel this was not worth writing, well, I just have one suggestion. Go to Haryana, listen to the locals singing the songs, and come back and I would bet you , you would write about it too!!

Rossaying – There is no therapy like music therapy.