Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object has been displayed in the appearance for a whole month. The exhibit for the month of March, 2021 — “Jenzadrunrai” (indigenous string instrument) from Rinzingtal, Puttasing, Rayagada district, Odisha is on display in the indoor exhibition building – Veethi Sankul.
The 'exhibit of the month' was inaugurated by Rakesh Kumar Bhatt (Assistant Curator, IGRMS), and renowned people present on this occasion. This exhibit of the month had been collected by Sudipa Roy, Assistant Keeper and P. Anuradha, Sangrahalaya Associate and composed by Smt. P. Anuradha (Sangrahalaya Associate).
About the exhibit displayed in the exhibition P. Anuradha, Sangrahalaya Associate told that Jenzadrunrai is an indigenous string instrument used by Lanjia Saora tribe of Odisha for vocal accompaniment. Saora tribe is found in hilly tract of eastern ghat region of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. It consist many sub-tribes which can be easily identified by their distinct social custom, peculiarity of dress, mode of living and their economic pattern and Lanjia Saora is one of them.
They play variety of musical instruments on different occasions.
The noisy percussion and sonorous instruments such as drums of different sizes (Dagru), blowing pipes (Tretepe), cymbals, brass gongs (Neneng), brass bell (Tinarjap) and clarinets are usually played during certain agricultural festivals whereas fiddle (gogerai), string instrument and rasps are popular at wedding ceremonies.
The present exhibit highlights the musical tradition of the Lanjia Saora and associated myth, typological variations, technological aspect and socio-cultural utilities.