Significance of the Shehnai in an Indian Wedding

An Indian wedding is all about fun, and festivity and music plays a vital role. Beginning with the mehndi and sangeet to the bidaai or the final farewell, the undertone of the entire event is wonderfully captured by the shehnai. This is a special musical instrument that is typically used in Indian weddings. The specialty of the instrument is that it brings out the sadness that is associated with the departure of the daughter from her father’s house. However, the shehnai also sounds the happiness of the event. The woodwind instrument is known as the North Indian Oboe.

 

There are a couple of double reeds near the top and it is known as the quadruple reed. A widening bell is present at the bottom. Various notes are produced by uncovering or covering around 6 to 9 holes on the shehnai, while the player controls their breath to vibrate or blow the reeds on top. It requires a good level of skill to master the instrument since it involves controlling of breath and the way in which the mouth is held on the specific air spaces. The musical instrument is said to have originated from several sources.

 

According to some people, the shehnai is a descendant of the Persian musical instrument, the nai, or the flute. Pictures of the nai may be found in the pyramids of Egypt which date 5 millennia back. Closer attachments may be found to the snake charming musical instrument, known as the pungi. It is believed that the shehnai has developed from the latter (pungi) so as to create better sounds that elevate the players’ performance. Legend has it that the sounds of the pungi were not acceptable to the Shah of Persia; so he banned the instrument. This made the masters come up with a musical device that was permitted in the king’s court.

 

The importance of the shehnai is paramount in the secular and traditional societies. For instance, the use of the instrument is highly popular in Indian weddings. In olden days, it was mandatory to have a player sit down with the shehnai, and keep playing during the length of the event. Traditional Indian music makes use of a specific chord structure to produce the heartwarming or tragic note. Many have even attributed the sound produced by the shehnai as being tranquil, beautiful, meditative and peaceful.

 

The Indian wedding is rendered distinctive owing to the different elements it incorporates. This includes everything from the wedding attire and the superb cuisine to the mandap decorations and floral or rangoli arrangements. Mention should be made of the shehnai which makes the Indian wedding an endearing occasion, adding a special note to the event. The classical tunes are royal and sophisticated too.

 

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