Music:
the Sitar
The modern sitar has a long neck attached to a resonator made
from a gourd. This stringed instrument has several metal frets
(crescent shaped metal rods) running down the length of the
neck. There are seven strings fastened to the pegs on the
neck, running over the frets down to the sides of the resonator
and 11 to 13 sympathetic strings running parallel to the main
strings, though under the frets. Originally the sitar, invented
in the 13th century, only had 3 strings in total and thus
sitar translates, literally, to “3 strings”.
The sitar
is played by a wire plectrum, which is worn on the forefinger
of the right hand and is called a mizrab. The music of the
Sitar is uniquely Indian and a feature in much Indian classical
music.
For a
sample of Indian music, check out the following CD’s:
The
Art of the Indian Sitar: Rash Behari Datta
A Flavor
of India: A Selection Of Traditional Indian Music: Various
Artists
Sounds
of India: Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar is perhaps the best known Indian musician. His
music is beloved all over the world and is a great starting
place for any family interested in learning more about India
and it’s wonderful music. This CD is also a great background
for an Indian meal.
Traditional Clothing
Traditional Indian clothing is alive with vibrant colours.
Although there are a variety of traditional fashions for women
in India, the Sari is one of the most popular garments and
worn by women of different tribes and areas. Saris are made
from 5-6 yards of continuous fabric which are wrapped so that
one end forms a skirt and the other end is used as a head
or shoulder covering. A sari is made from silk, cotton, or
manmade materials and is often beautiful and colourful. Saris
are generally worn with a choli, which is a short, fitted
blouse.
The traditional
clothing of men in India has mostly been replaced by western-style
pants and shirts. Traditional lungi, a short
sarong and dhoti, a longer sarong with fabric
pulled up between the legs are still worn by villagers as
are the lenga, a loose pant-style piece of
clothing.
Bindi
dot
The bindi dot, worn by Hindu women on the forehead, was traditionally
made with vermilion and is considered a blessed symbol of
female energy (shakti). Traditionally, the bindi was a symbol
of marriage, but now has become a mark of beauty and is worn
by unmarried girls and women, as well as the married, and
can be found in a variety of colours and designs.
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