Standing in the sweltering heat I grimaced as the sweat trickled down my brow. It had already been an hour and the noon sun and complete absence of a breeze was beginning to make me a little uncomfortable.
Suddenly, the Tarri on the Tasha began and 55 hands rose at once. Quivering with anticipation, the sweaty palms gripping the Tipri tightly, waiting for the end of the roll and last measured strokes on the Tasha.
At the fifth and final stroke, all hands fall down, swung in perfect unison. Every Tipri finds its mark. The taught leather vibrates, more fluid because it’s been baking under the sun. The hot air inside the drum groans, it’s inflated mass compressed by the sudden force. The reply comes instantly as a deafening boom. As it is released from the confines of the instrument, the sound cuts through the still air, it permeates through everything and everyone. Startled by its intensity, we look at each other, eyes wide open. In a flash the surprise turns to understanding. We smile and knowingly shake our heads at each other.
Flashbacks of hours of practice, of the processions on Lakshmi Road, the memories fresh and vivid. The joys of musical abandon, that bond of brotherhood and kinship. The anticipation of experiencing that energy that flows through you only when beating a drum senseless. Knowing that the sounds come not only from that mass of metal, rope and leather tied to your waist but from within you yourself. As we soak in this revelation, knowing that this is going to be a fine day indeed, I’m snapped back to attention.
The second Tarri has already begun......
Tasha - Traditional Maharashtrian Brass Bottomed Snare Drum
Tarri - Fast paced drum roll on the Tasha
Tipri - Baton like drumstick used on a traditional Indian drum called a Dhol.
Suddenly, the Tarri on the Tasha began and 55 hands rose at once. Quivering with anticipation, the sweaty palms gripping the Tipri tightly, waiting for the end of the roll and last measured strokes on the Tasha.
At the fifth and final stroke, all hands fall down, swung in perfect unison. Every Tipri finds its mark. The taught leather vibrates, more fluid because it’s been baking under the sun. The hot air inside the drum groans, it’s inflated mass compressed by the sudden force. The reply comes instantly as a deafening boom. As it is released from the confines of the instrument, the sound cuts through the still air, it permeates through everything and everyone. Startled by its intensity, we look at each other, eyes wide open. In a flash the surprise turns to understanding. We smile and knowingly shake our heads at each other.
Flashbacks of hours of practice, of the processions on Lakshmi Road, the memories fresh and vivid. The joys of musical abandon, that bond of brotherhood and kinship. The anticipation of experiencing that energy that flows through you only when beating a drum senseless. Knowing that the sounds come not only from that mass of metal, rope and leather tied to your waist but from within you yourself. As we soak in this revelation, knowing that this is going to be a fine day indeed, I’m snapped back to attention.
The second Tarri has already begun......
Tasha - Traditional Maharashtrian Brass Bottomed Snare Drum
Tarri - Fast paced drum roll on the Tasha
Tipri - Baton like drumstick used on a traditional Indian drum called a Dhol.
