Nadaswaram Temple Wind Instrument Madurai Tamil Nadu

Nadaswaram (also written Nagaswaram) is the double-reed wind instrument of Tamil Nadu temple music, considered the loudest non-brass instrument in the world and the presiding musical instrument of all auspicious ceremonies in the South Indian Hindu tradition including weddings, temple consecrations, chariot festivals, and royal processions. The instrument is a 60 to 90 centimeter long hardwood (aacha or rose wood) conical bore oboe with a brass bell flare, seven finger holes, a detachable metal staple and reed made from moistened arundo grass, and a drone reed in the lower bore called the anusaaranam. The nadaswaram is always played in pairs with a second drone instrument called the ottu (drone pipe) that sustains a continuous note. The player uses circular breathing to produce an unbroken sound for up to 20 minutes and achieves a range of three octaves. The nadaswaram vidwan (master performer) is called a Melam player, and performing nadaswaram is hereditary among the Melakkarar and Nattamai communities of Tamil Nadu. Madurai, Sirkazhi, and Tirunelveli are the primary centers of nadaswaram tradition. The Madurai Brothers (T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai and T.N. Krishnarathinam Pillai) are among the legendary masters. Approximately 5,000 nadaswaram players are active in Tamil Nadu for temple and wedding engagements. The Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Aradhana music festival and Madurai Meenakshi temple employ full-time nadaswaram performers.