Ravanhattha : Epic Journey of an Instrument in Rajasthan

Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction to the folk music of Rajasthan: Common folk music, Professional Folk music, Folk instruments of Rajasthan. 2. String instruments of Rajasthan: Unique features, categorization, Chart. 3. Historical background of bowing instruments in India and the place of Ravanhattha. 4. Ravanhattha : structural and technical details: Variants, allied instruments of Ravanhattha Association with Pabu Epic. 5. Epic of Pabuji and its performance: epic, story, Phad, painter, narrator, presentation styles, temple, patrons. 6. Present status of Ravanhattha players: women’s status, living conditions. 7. A search for new patronage: new patronage, status of an entertaining instrument, Pabu-epic future. Appendices. Bibliography.

“Ravanhattha, a musical instrument favoured by itinerant minstrels in the state of Rajasthan, is a curious combination of primitive and modern features. It has been referred to in some of the earliest musical texts as one of the foremost bowing instruments of India. Mythologically, it is associated with “Ravana’ the Demon King of Lanka. Its historical background suggests that the instrument enjoyed widespread popularity throughout India till the medieval period, after which it gradually got restricted to the western region. Nevertheless, Ravanhattha prototypes and variants can still be found in various regions of the country.

At present, Ravanhattha has emerged as the most popular and representative folk music instrument of Rajasthan. It has a pivotal role to play as the instrument of accompaniment in the presentation of the folklore epic of Pabuji.

Although, Ravanhattha players are often unassuming tribals, they have introduced various innovative modifications in this instrument, making it contemporaneous. Hundreds and thousands of these wandering minstrels are earning their livelihood by narrating the epics while playing the instrument and would continue doing so in future.

This book endeavours to be an exhaustive study of this wonderful instrument.” (jacket)