Tangmuri Explained

Tangmuri
Image Capt:A Tangmuri player in Shillong, Meghalaya 2010
Background:Wind Instrument
Inventors:Hynniew Trep People

The tangmuri, ka tangmuri in the Khasi language, is a double-reed conical-bore wind-instrument used by the Hynniew Trep people of Meghalaya State in North-East India.[1]

The tangmuri is used by musicians playing for traditional dances, and for other traditional rituals, such as cremations performed according to the indigenous religion, Niam Khasi. The tangmuri delivers a very high pitched sound when played by the musician.

Description

The instrument consists of a turned conical-bore wooden chanter, about 20 cm long, with seven finger-holes on the front, and a separate flared turned 15 cm long wooden bell which is attached to the chanter by a push-fit.
The double-reed is tied onto a thin conical-bore metal tube around 3 cm long, which is wound with thread to hold it in place in the chanter.

Gallery

File:Tangmuri 1.jpg|TangmuriFile:Tangmuri 2.jpg|Tangmuri showing its component parts

Notes and References

  1. The Cultural Heritage of Meghalaya. United Kingdom, Manohar, 2020.