However, some musicians have begun playing the harmonium as a solo instrument. It is usually used as an accompanying instrument for vocalists in classical music. The harmonium is used in classical, semi-classical, and devotional music. In Indian music, the Harmonium is considered to be one of the most versatile instruments. The hand-pumped portable version is very popular with Kirtan Jathas along with the Tabla and these form the main type of instruments used by Ragis during the performance of Kirtan. There are two main types of harmonium: a foot-pumped version that resembles a small organ, and a hand-pumped portable version that can fold up for easy transport. The Harmonium is a small, manually-pumped musical instrument using fixed reeds to create the basic sounds. The former prevents it from articulating the subtle inflections (such as andolan, gentle oscillation) so crucial to many ragas the latter prevents it from articulating the subtle differences in intonational color between a given svara in two different ragas. Technical concerns with the harmonium included its inability to produce meend (slides between notes) and the fact that, once tuned, it cannot be adjusted in the course of performance. By the early 20th century, however, in the context of nationalist movements that sought to depict India as utterly separate from the West, the harmonium was portrayed as an unwanted foreigner. The harmonium was widely accepted in Indian music, particularly Parsi and Marathi stage music, in the late 19th century. Though derived from the designs developed in France, the harmonium was developed further in India in unique ways, such as the addition of drone stops and a scale-changing mechanism. For example, it is a staple of vocal North Indian classical music concerts. It has remained popular to the present day, and the harmonium remains an important instrument in many genres of Indian music.

The instrument quickly became popular there: it was portable, reliable, easy to learn and had a low price. The Harmonium was invented in Europe in Paris in 1840 by Alexandre Debain, though there was concurrent development of similar instruments elsewhere.ĭuring the mid-19th century, Christian missionaries brought French-made hand-pumped harmoniums to India. In fact, Maharaja Ranjit Singh never saw, or used, or even heard a Harmonium.

However, the Sikh Gurus, early Gursikhs and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur never saw a Harmonium. The Harmonium is a popular instrument for kirtan singing.

Introduction Dilruba Jori Rabab Saranda Sarangi Taus Others Harmonium

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