Letters from Madras during the years 1836-1839

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

'Letter the Seventh'

text excerpt

Then the entertainment began: they had procured the musicians, dancers and cooks belonging to the Nabob, in order that we should see all the Mussulman amusements, as well as those of the Hindoos. First, then, came in an old man with a long white beard, to play and sing to the vina, an instrument like a large mandoline, very pretty and antique to look at, but not much to hear. His music was miserable, just a mixture of twang and whine. and quite monotonous, without even a pretence to a tune. When we were quite tired of him, he was dismissed, and the Nabob's dancing girls came in: most graceful creatures, walking, or rather sailing about, like queens, with long muslin robes from their throats to their feet. ..Then they sang - bawling like bad street singers - a most fearful noise, and no tune. Then we had a concert of orchestra music, with different-looking instruments, but in tone like every modification of bagpipes - every variety of drone and squeak: you can form no idea of such sounds under the name of music: the chimney sweepers' clatter on May-day would be harmonious in comparison. Imagine a succession of unresolved discords, selected at random, and played on twenty or thirty loud instruments, all out of tune in themselves and with each other. and you will have a fair idea of Hindoo music and its effect on the nerves.

excerpt from 'Letters from Madras during the years 1836-1839' pp. 'Letter the Seventh' (238 words)

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1427218154068