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{{Short description|Indian musical instrument}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2011}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2011}}
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[[File:Musicians in Bull Temple.jpg|thumb|right|Shruti box and [[nadaswaram]]]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
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[[File:An depiction of electronic shruti box.JPG|right|thumb|Electronic shruti box]]
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
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A '''shruti box''' ('''sruti box''' or '''surpeti''') is an instrument that traditionally works on a system of [[bellows]]. It is similar to a [[Pump organ|harmonium]] and is used to provide a [[drone (music)|drone]] in a practice session or [[concert]] of [[Indian classical music]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The Magic of Hindu Music: Exploring the religious, historical and social forces that shaped Hindu music and now propel it into the future|url=http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/print.php?itemid=1515|accessdate=6 December 2011|newspaper=[[Hinduism Today Magazine|Hinduism Today]]|date=1 October 2007|author=[[Guy Beck|Dr. Guy L. Beck]]}}</ref> It is used as an accompaniment to other instruments and notably the flute. Use of the shruti box has widened with the cross-cultural influences of [[world music]] and [[new-age music]] to provide a drone for many other instruments as well as vocalists.
{{About|the musical instrument|the series of internet music videos by Shankar Tucker|Shankar Tucker#The ShrutiBox}}
[[File:Shruti box top quality.jpg|thumb|One side of the shruti box]]
[[File:A depiction of shruti box play.JPG|thumb|Playing the shruti box]]
[[File:A play of Manual Shruti Box.ogv|thumb|Playing the shruti box]]
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[[File:Musicians in Bull Temple.jpg|thumb|right|A shruti box and a [[nadaswaram]]]]
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[[File:An depiction of electronic shruti box.JPG|right|thumb|An electronic shruti box]]
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A '''shruti box''' ('''sruti box''', '''shrutibox''', '''srutibox''' or '''surpeti''') is a [[musical instrument]], originating from the [[Indian subcontinent]], that traditionally works on a system of [[bellows]]. It is similar to a [[Pump organ|harmonium]] and is used to provide a [[drone (music)|drone]] in a practice session or [[concert]] of [[Indian classical music]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The Magic of Hindu Music: Exploring the religious, historical and social forces that shaped Hindu music and now propel it into the future|url=http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/print.php?itemid=1515|access-date=6 December 2011|newspaper=[[Hinduism Today Magazine|Hinduism Today]]|date=1 October 2007|author=Dr. Guy L. Beck}}</ref> It is used as an accompaniment to other instruments and notably the flute. The shruti box is also used in classical singing. In classical singing, the shruti box is used to help tune the voice. The use of the shruti box has widened with the cross-cultural influences of [[world music]] and [[new-age music]] to provide a drone for many other instruments as well as vocalists and mantra singing.


Adjustable buttons allow tuning. Nowadays, electronic shruti boxes are commonly used, which are called ''shruti petti'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and ''sur peti'' in [[Hindi]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Children's Book of Music|year=2010|publisher=[[DK Publishing]]|isbn=9780756676384|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=RYbKmjRSYuYC&pg=PA33&dq=%22surpeti%22&hl=en&ei=x8ndTtjtLMjf0QGmrMSQBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22surpeti%22&f=false|page=33}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Montes|first=Manuel|title=Nóirín Ní Riain: Celtic Soul|url=http://www.amazings.com/articles/article0030.html|work=Amazing Sounds|accessdate=6 December 2011}}</ref>
Adjustable buttons allow tuning. Nowadays, [[Electronic tanpura|electronic shruti boxes]] are commonly used, which are called ''shruthi pettige'' in [[Kannada]], ''shruti petti'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], and [[Telugu language|Telugu]], and ''sur peti'' in [[Hindi]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Children's Book of Music|year=2010|publisher=[[DK Publishing]]|isbn=9780756676384|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RYbKmjRSYuYC&q=%22surpeti%22&pg=PA33|page=33}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Montes|first=Manuel|title=Nóirín Ní Riain: Celtic Soul|url=http://www.amazings.com/articles/article0030.html|work=Amazing Sounds|access-date=6 December 2011}}</ref>
Recent versions also allow for changes to be made in the tempo, and the notes such as Madhyamam, Nishadam to be played in place of the usual three notes ( i.e., Lower shadjam, panchamam, and the upper shadjam ).
Recent versions also allow for changes to be made in the tempo, and the notes such as Madhyamam, Nishadam to be played in place of the usual three notes (i.e., lower shadjam, panchamam, and the upper shadjam).


==History==
==History==
Before the arrival of the harmonium in [[India]], musicians used either a [[Tanpura|tambura]] or a specific [[Pitch (music)|pitch]] reference instrument, such as the [[nadaswaram]], to produce the drone. Some forms of music such as [[Yakshagana]] used the [[pungi]] reedpipe as drone. After the Western small pump harmonium became popular, musicians would modify the harmonium to automatically produce the reference pitch. Typically, one would open up the cover and adjust the [[Organ stop|stop]] of the harmonium to produce a drone.
Before the arrival of the [[harmonium]] in the [[Indian subcontinent]], musicians used either a [[Tanpura|tambura]] or a specific [[Pitch (music)|pitch]] reference instrument, such as the [[nadaswaram]], to produce the drone. Some forms of music such as [[Yakshagana]] used the [[pungi]] reed pipe as drone. After the Western small pump harmonium became popular, musicians would modify the harmonium to automatically produce the reference pitch. Typically, one would open up the cover and adjust the [[Organ stop|stop]] of the harmonium to produce a drone.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


Later, a keyless version of the harmonium was invented for the specific purpose of producing the drone sound. It was given the name shruti box or sruti box. These instruments had controls on the top or on the side of the box for controlling the pitch.
Later, a keyless version of the harmonium was invented for the specific purpose of producing the drone sound. It was given the name shruti box or sruti box. These types of instruments had controls on the top or on the side of the box for controlling the pitch.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


The shruti box is enjoying a renaissance in the West amongst traditional and contemporary musicians who are using it for a range of different styles. In the early nineties traditional Irish singer [[Nóirín Ní Riain]] brought the shruti box to Ireland, giving it a minor place in traditional Irish music. More recently Scottish folk artist [[Karine Polwart]] has championed the instrument, using it on some of her songs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karine Polwart FAQs|url=http://www.karinepolwart.com/about/faqs.php|work=karinepolwart.com|accessdate=6 December 2011}}</ref> Singers find it very useful as an accompaniment and instrumentalists enjoy the drone reference it gives to play along with.
The shruti box is enjoying a renaissance in the West among traditional and contemporary musicians, who are using it for a range of different styles. In the early nineties, traditional Irish singer [[Nóirín Ní Riain]] brought the shruti box to Ireland, giving it a minor place in traditional Irish music. More recently Scottish folk artists [[Karine Polwart]] and [[Julie Fowlis]] used the instrument on some of their songs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karine Polwart FAQs|url=http://www.karinepolwart.com/about/faqs.php|work=karinepolwart.com|access-date=6 December 2011}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOu0qORSDK0 A Ghaoil, Leig Dhachaigh Gum Mhathair Mi], by Julie Fowlis, from the album 'Gach Sgeul / Every Story', on youtube.com</ref> Singers find it very useful as an accompaniment and instrumentalists enjoy the drone reference it gives to play along with.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Indian classical music}}
{{Portal|India|Music}}
*[[Electronic tanpura]]
*[[Electronic tanpura]]
*[[Sruti upanga]], a Tamil bagpipe used to provide a drone
*[[Electronic musical instrument]]
*[[Electronic musical instrument]]


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Shruti box}}
{{Commons category|Shruti box}}
*[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kuyil.shrutibox Pocket Shruti Box] (Android app) produces Tambura drone based on [https://pure.qub.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/a-realtime-synthesis-oriented-tanpura-model(8a25fbc2-dbaf-4ea2-8f29-52b747a4c3a0).html a physical model] developed by researchers at the Sonic Arts Research Center of Queen's University Belfast.
*[http://shruthibox.com Online Shruti Box] Free Online Shruti box.
*[http://www.youtube.com/user/shrutiboxuk Shruti Box videos] Videos of professional Shruti boxes in action.
*[https://www.youtube.com/user/shrutiboxuk Shruti Box videos] Videos of professional Shruti boxes in action.
*[http://shruti.hejje.com Yashagana Shruti Box] Free Software Online/WINDOWS/Linux/Mobile/iPhone/Android.
*[http://shruti.hejje.com Yashagana Shruti Box] Free Software Online/WINDOWS/Linux/Mobile/iPhone/Android.
*[http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~mrahaim tanpura mp3 downloads] free tanpura mp3 downloads from Matthew Rahaim (sa-pa and sa-ma) A, B, C, C{{music|#}}, D
*[http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~mrahaim tanpura mp3 downloads] free tanpura mp3 downloads from Matthew Rahaim (sa-pa and sa-ma) A, B, C, C{{music|#}}, D


{{Indian musical instruments}}
{{Indian musical instruments}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Indian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Indian musical instruments]]

Latest revision as of 15:12, 28 September 2024

This article is about the musical instrument. For the series of internet music videos by Shankar Tucker, see Shankar Tucker § The ShrutiBox.
One side of the shruti box
Playing the shruti box
Playing the shruti box
A shruti box and a nadaswaram
An electronic shruti box

A shruti box (sruti box, shrutibox, srutibox or surpeti) is a musical instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, that traditionally works on a system of bellows. It is similar to a harmonium and is used to provide a drone in a practice session or concert of Indian classical music.[1] It is used as an accompaniment to other instruments and notably the flute. The shruti box is also used in classical singing. In classical singing, the shruti box is used to help tune the voice. The use of the shruti box has widened with the cross-cultural influences of world music and new-age music to provide a drone for many other instruments as well as vocalists and mantra singing.

Adjustable buttons allow tuning. Nowadays, electronic shruti boxes are commonly used, which are called shruthi pettige in Kannada, shruti petti in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu, and sur peti in Hindi.[2][3] Recent versions also allow for changes to be made in the tempo, and the notes such as Madhyamam, Nishadam to be played in place of the usual three notes (i.e., lower shadjam, panchamam, and the upper shadjam).

History

[edit]

Before the arrival of the harmonium in the Indian subcontinent, musicians used either a tambura or a specific pitch reference instrument, such as the nadaswaram, to produce the drone. Some forms of music such as Yakshagana used the pungi reed pipe as drone. After the Western small pump harmonium became popular, musicians would modify the harmonium to automatically produce the reference pitch. Typically, one would open up the cover and adjust the stop of the harmonium to produce a drone.[citation needed]

Later, a keyless version of the harmonium was invented for the specific purpose of producing the drone sound. It was given the name shruti box or sruti box. These types of instruments had controls on the top or on the side of the box for controlling the pitch.[citation needed]

The shruti box is enjoying a renaissance in the West among traditional and contemporary musicians, who are using it for a range of different styles. In the early nineties, traditional Irish singer Nóirín Ní Riain brought the shruti box to Ireland, giving it a minor place in traditional Irish music. More recently Scottish folk artists Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis used the instrument on some of their songs.[4][5] Singers find it very useful as an accompaniment and instrumentalists enjoy the drone reference it gives to play along with.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dr. Guy L. Beck (1 October 2007). "The Magic of Hindu Music: Exploring the religious, historical and social forces that shaped Hindu music and now propel it into the future". Hinduism Today. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  2. ^ Children's Book of Music. DK Publishing. 2010. p. 33. ISBN 9780756676384.
  3. ^ Montes, Manuel. "Nóirín Ní Riain: Celtic Soul". Amazing Sounds. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Karine Polwart FAQs". karinepolwart.com. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  5. ^ A Ghaoil, Leig Dhachaigh Gum Mhathair Mi, by Julie Fowlis, from the album 'Gach Sgeul / Every Story', on youtube.com
[edit]
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