Rabindranath Tagore is often hailed as the “Vishwa-Kavi” or the “Poet of the world” due to his vast and universal nature of creations. His music compositions, known as Rabindrasangeet, are often notable in this case. As an avid traveller and art lover, Tagore embraced all the music and compositions worldwide. He took inspiration from different western pieces of music and Indianised these tunes to compose his songs. Some of his songs have a strong influence from his contemporary time’s English, Irish, and Scottish compositions.

Tagore probably became fascinated with western music as he traveled to England for the first time in 1878. In his memoir, Jeevan Smriti explained,” I cannot claim that I have experienced the soul of European music. However, the music I experienced as an intense listener was heartfelt and attracted me immensely. I felt the music to be romantic and a melodic expression of the diversity in life.”

While some of his music compositions have been influenced by western pieces, the variety of influence is notable. In some of his compositions, Tagore only adapted the tune of a particular piece. He also adapted both the theme and the tune of western composition. On the other hand, Tagore also Indianised the beats and rhythm of western classical compositions with his twist.

Here are a few songs that come with western influence:

Inspiration: Go where glory waits thee.”

Songs: “Aha aji e basante”, “Ohe Doyamoy Nikhilo” and “Mori O Kahar Bacha”

A popular Irish folk song influences these popular Rabindra Sangeets. Tagore took inspiration from “Go where glory waits thee,” a composition of Thomas Moore.

In the case of “Aha aji e basante” ( a song for the dance drama “Mayar Khela”), Tagore also loosely adapted the theme of this popular Irish folk song. Tagore used the “Trial” in Qawali style to suit the tempo of this song.

On the other hand, for the song “Ohe doyamoy Nikhilo,” he only used the notes of “Go where the Glory Waits Thee.” He used Raag Bilawal and adapted “Kaharwa” taal to make the music melodious.

Besides that, Rabindra sangeets “Maana na manili,” “Ohe Doyamoy Nikhilo,” and “Mori O Kahar Bacha” also influenced “Go where glory waits thee.”

Inspiration: Nancy Lee

Songs: “Kali Kali Kali Blo”

This music from Balmiki Pratibha is inspired by the English song “Nancy Lee. ” Here, Tagore only adapted the tune and Indianised it. The tune and the rhythm were the same as the English music, but the context and meaning differed. The yodeling of “Nancy Lee” perfectly matched with the crowning of the “Joy joy joy joy…” in the song “Kali Kali Kali bolo” in Balmiki Pratibha.

Inspiration: Drink me only with thine eyes.”

Tagore’s compositions: “Kotobarp Vebechinu,” “Keno go se more,” “Kotha acho Probhu.”

Tagore took inspiration from another popular Scottish song named” Drink to me only with thine eyes”. This classical Scottish English song was a composition of Ben Johnson, originally a poem named “To celia”.

In Kotobaro Vebechinu”, Tagore kept the tune intact with faster beats and a faster rhythm. The essence of the song is also the same where a lover expresses their selfless love.

Both the other songs, “Keno Go se More” and “Kotha acho prabhu”, have a tune similar to “Drink me only…” and are based on ektaal for a melodic nature.

Inspiration: Auld Lang Syne

Tagore’s composition: “Purano sei diner kotha”, “Kal sokale Uthbo.”

These two popular Rabindra Sangeet also have notable Scottish music influences. Tagore was mesmerized by the Scottish song “Auld Lang Syne” and used its tune in his two Rabindra sangeets. “Auld Lang Syne ”’ is sung in a pentatonic Scots folk melody and quicker tempo.
In “purano sei diner kotha,” Tagore adapted the tune in ektaal with ¾ beats. He also adapted the theme of the original Scottish song. Because” Purano sett Diner kotha” also reminisces about the golden old days.

On the other hand, the song “Kal sokale uthbo mora” is composed on the Khemta taal, which also has the formation of 3/3/3/3 but has a different tempo.

Inspiration: Robin Adair

Tagore’s composition: Sakali Phuralo Swapno

Tagore took inspiration from the popular 18th century Irish/ Scottish song “Robin Adair “. This song, written by Lady Caroline Keppel, had written after marrying Robin Adair, British army personnel.

Tagore was deeply moved by the balladic tune of this Scottish song and adapted the tune in “Sakali Phuralo Swapono”. This song was composed for the Kaal-Mrigaya drama scene six.

He there Indianised the tune and used ektaal to suit the sad undertone of the song” Sakali Phuralo.”

Inspiration: Ye banks and braes

Tagore’s compositions: Phule Phule dhole dhole

“Ye Banks and Braes” or the “Banks O’ Doon” is a popular Scots song. Robert Burns composed this song in 1791.

Tagore here adapted the tune on the Khemta taal. His adaptation made “Phule Phule…” a wonderful song with a unique lyrical nature.

Besides these songs, Tagore was often impressed and inspired with Scottish and Irish tunes and gradually incorporated the tunes into different songs he composed. The melodic nature of such western songs helped Tagore imbibe a western and universal tune into his songs despite being rooted in Indian music.

Rabindranath Tagore, the Bard, mesmerized the world with his soulful and diverse music compositions. The vast collection of his songs can be divided and further classified according to the theme of the songs. All of his pieces can be found in the book “Gitabitan.”

Rabindra sangeets are divided into six “Parjaayas,” which is a Bengali word meaning “class” or “position.” Tagore himself classified his songs and described them in detail. The Parjaays are-

Puja Parjaay

The word”Puja” stands for “worship” or “Offering.” These songs are sung in the worship of the almighty and the creator of the universe. Tagore also composed a few pieces in which a lover worships their muse or love. Tagore composed and wrote six hundred and seventeen songs in this parjaay.

Example of Puja Parjaay Rabindrasanggeet are-

“Kobe Ami Bahir Holem”

“Sudhu Tomar Bani noy he sokha”

The Puja parjaay is further divided into twenty-one “Upa-Parjaay” or sub-classes-

• Prarthana
• Gaan
• Jaagoron
• Bondhu
• Biraha
• Sadhana or Sankalpa
• Dukka
• Ashwas
• Aatmobodhan
• Utsab
• Anondo
• Nihshanshay
• Sadhak
• Utsab
• Bibidha
• Bishwa
• Baul
• Poth
• Sundar
• Sesh
• Porinoy

 Prakriti Parjaay

The songs of the Prakriti parjaay describe nature, especially its seasons and beauty and other aspects. There are 283 songs included in his parjaay. Songs like” Eso he Boishakh Eso Eso” and “ Poush toder daak dieche” are included in this parjaay.

The Prakriti Parjaay is further divided into seven sub-class ro “Upa-parjaay.”

These are-

• Sadharon(common)- 19 songs
• Grishma(Summer)-16 songs
• Borsha(Monsoon)-115 songs
• Sharat(Early Autumn0- 30 songs
• Hemanta(Late Autumn)- 5 songs
• Sheet(Winter)- 12 songs
• Basanta(Spring)- 90 songs

Prem Parjaay

The word Prem stands for “Love.” Tagore composed his lobe songs which display selfless love and platonic love instead of regular romantic feelings. Some pieces also show love for friends etc. The Prem Parjaay has a total of three hundred and ninety-five songs.

Examples are “Tomay Gaan Shonabo” and “Tumi sondhyaro Meghomala.”

This Parjaay is further classified into two Upa-Parjaays-

• Gaan- 27 songs
• Prem Boichitra- 368 songs

Swadesh parjaay

The songs of the Swadesh Prjaay are patriotic songs that Tagore wrote to arouse the national feelings among Indians during the Indian freedom movement.  This Parjaay has a total of forty-six songs. An example of this song is “Jodi tor Dak Shune,” “Ebar tor Mora Gange.”

Bichitro Parjaay

The Bengali word “Bichitro” stands for “Wonderful” or “Astonishing” or “Amazing.” The songs included in the Bichitro Parjaay are based upon rhythm, different moods of human consciousness, dance, drama etc. There are a total of one hundred and forty songs in this parjaay.

Some examples of this parjaay are-

Momo Chitte Niti Nruittye

Nai Bhoy Nai

Otho Re Molin Mukh

Jakhan Porbe na Mor Payer Chinha

Gram chara oi Rangamatir

Anusthanik Parjaay

The songs included in the Anusthanik Parjaay are the Ceremonial songs composed by Tagore. These songs can be sung in different ceremonies, including birthdays, marriages and even during funerals. The Gitabitan has twenty-one songs in this parjaay.

Some examples are-

Marubijoyer Ketono

Shubhodine Esheche Dnohe

Agnishikha Eso Eso

A striking feature of this Parjaay is that there are nine songs, including “Ujjwol Karon He Aji,” which are also included in the Puja Parjaay.

Besides these six parjaays, there are alo other classifications of Rabindrasangeet. These are-

Geetinatya O Nrityanatya

Tagore composed multiple Musical dance dramas, which were performed with songs and verses and with dance.

The Geetinatyas were musical dramas with particular importance on songs. These are “Balmiki Pratibha”, “Mayar Khela”, “Kal Mrigaya”. On the other hand, the drams “Chandalika,” “Shyama,” and “Chitrangada” are included in Nrityanatya or dance dramas.

The songs included in these dramas are also often found included in other parjaays.

Bhanu Singher Padabali

Tagore composed the Bhanu SIngher Padabali at the start of his career under the pen name” Bhanu Singha.” These songs have a classic undertone with a closer affinity to Brajabuli and classical Bengali dialect. There are a total of twenty songs included in this section.

Some popular songs are

“Maran re tuhu mama shyama soman”

“Shangana gagane Ghor Ghanaghata”

 Natyageeti

Tagore also wrote multiple dramas in his literary career. Most of these drams came with a few songs which complemented the flow and storyline. These are called “Natyageeti.” Tagore composed a total of one hundred thirty-three natyageetis. Some examples are-

Chiriton Haraton Iskabon(included in Tasher Desh)

Sokhi Aar Koto Din Sukhodine

Bujhechi Bujhechi Sokha

Your harmonium has accompanied you for years during your practice during functions. It has made your performance excellent, but you also need to take proper care of your beloved harmonium like any other musical instrument. The appropriate maintenance keeps it in top condition and also increases the shelf life of the instrument. Here are some essential harmonium maintenance tips for anyone who uses it a lot

Keep it is a dry place with ambient temperature

The best way to store your harmonium is in a dry place with ambient temperature. A warm or even a cold place can damage your harmonium. The climate can shorten or lengthen the lifespan of your musical instrument.

Hence, store it away from direct sunlight or beside an air conditioner or a room heater. Sunlight or excessive warmth can damage the wooden components of this string instrument. The wood may dry out more than you imagine. Besides that, sunlight can also downgrade the smoothness of the keys. If a harmonium is kept in sunlight for too long, it may lose its capacity to store and hold air.

During monsoon, try to keep it in a place where the rain or dampness will not reach the instrument.

You should always ensure that your harmonium is not in contact with water or dampness. Moisture can disturb the melodic nature, and the harmonium can produce a torn sound.

Check the humidity

Like the water, humidity is also a destroyer of your harmonium. Therefore, it should be kept in a place with a maximum of 60 percent humidity. If you cannot control the humidity, keep it near your house plants or in a dry place. That will be enough.

Always close the stops after you are finished

You need to use the harmonium properly to ensure it lasts for a long time. Unfortunately, most novice musicians and learners do not close their harmonium properly after practice or function. It can result in bent drone stops and damaged bellows.

Therefore, after you have finished playing, take time and follow the proper steps to close it. First, you have to close the drones properly. This will clear any remaining traces of air inside the instrument. After this, gently wipe the bellow to clean the dust particles. Now, close the harmonium properly and cover it for future usage.

Harmonium, one of the main musical instruments in Indian classical music, has its roots in European countries like France, Germany etc. So, what is the real history of Harmonium? How was it imported into India?

 The birth of Harmonium in Europe

Anton Hackle first designed a keyboard instrument named “Physharmonica”; the prototype. After a few decades, Gabriel Joseph Grenié invented a new instrument, “Orgue Expressif’ and it was able to produce more complex sounds through free-reeds. In 1840, the European Harmonium was invented. Alexandre Debain, a French instrument maker, invented a better version of Orgue Expressive. He named it “Harmonium”.

The European Harmonium gradually became popular in Germany France. Even during modern times, Germen free-reed harmoniums are coveted. The European Harmonium had foot-operated bellows to produce sounds. The knee operated the valves and stops to makes sounds and melodies. The valves and stops allowed the wind to pass through the reservoir, and it produced more complex tones than any other musical instrument.

Harmonium became a delight for a classical western music school for its complex sounds and melodic nature during its peak. As a result, a lot of composers started to write down musical pieces, especially for Harmonium. French composer Louis Vierne, Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, Belgian Composer Cesar Frank, German composer Sigfrid Karg-Elert and others composed excellent and memorable pieces, especially for Harmonium.

Harmonium was at first a musical instrument for the affluent section. But, gradually, it became popular among the mass and folk musicians, and street musicians started to use it for patriotic music and ballads.

During the 19^th century, Fench produced double-keyboard Harmonium was extremely popular in the USA. It Was even popular in the Scandinavian folk music sector till mid 20^th century.

Harmonium gradually lost its status and grace as electronic music instruments became popular in the 20^th century with the changing music scenario of the west.

At present, the Harmonium is mostly seen in churches and with street musicians who use the portable Harmonium to perform live. However, modern musicians notably, Timo Alalotila de Milla Viljiamma, continue to work with Harmonium and keep its traditions alive.

Indian Harmonium- a Revolution

The British rulers imported Harmonium in India. It was portable, could produce a variety of notes and sounds, and withstand the extremely humid weather of the Indian subcontinent. As a result, harmoniums were common in Church prayers and Western music scenarios during Colonial rule.