Description of research work done on the basis of Tamil literature - Science inter disciplinary
I analysed the information on leather and leather articles mentioned in Tamil literature up to 12th century. It meant an indepth study in the first instance of the linguistic patterns of Tamil and an understanding of the Language prevailing up to that time.
- Use of leather by early Tamils
The analysis shows that different stages of leather processing like unhairing, tanning, fatliquoring, colouring was known even in earlier days.
The literature contains detailed description of soles, uppers and other components of footwear used by early Tamils. These descriptions and other information regarding footwear were analysed in the context of current footwear Science and technology. Also, the descriptions of leather vessels, articles such garments, armour etc. were interpreted based on current science and technology of leather. An index on the information available in the early texts about leather and leather products is currently under preparation.
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Percussion Instruments of early Tamils
Early Tamil literature mentions 34 Percussion instruments classified into three main groups. The clustering technique was followed by me to classify the drums on the basis of the words used by the early Tamils to describe their sound. It was found that the classification of drums mentioned in the literature coincided with the clusters. Hence, this study shows that the classification done by early Tamils is mainly on the basis of sound produced by the drums unlike the classification of drums in the Western World.
Ethno-musicological studies were carried out (1) on the basis of information from literature (2) from sculptural evidence (3) the materials used in the drums. On the basis of these studies, the current form of these instruments were analysed. For example, the Muzhavu and Kudamuzhavu evolved into the current form of Mizhavu of Kerala,. A state in Southern India; Tadari evolved into Tavil; Tannumai into the current Mridangam; Tudi into the form tudi available in Kerala and Karnataka, a state in Southern India; Chiruparai into Kanjira, etc. Similarly other instruments such as Maddalam, Iddaka, Udduku were also analysed.
The sociological status, customs etc. of the families of tudiyas, who even today play tudis were compared with the information available in the ancient literature on these families.
- Scientific study of drums
The loudness of sound produced by the current forms of the drums were studied and the syllables like Ta, Ti, Thom etc. played on these drums were analysed,. The studies also show that the instrument can be classified on the basis of sound and the classification coincides with the classification given in Tamil literature supporting our ethno-musicological results.
The leathers used in the drums were studied . The leathers used in different instruments of today were analysed for microscopic structure and properties. The studies show that if the leather structure has parallel orientation, it will produce a rich sound. Hence, even the resonator can be an open drum ( a frame) as in kanjira. If the leather structure does not show a parallel orientation, the resonator size and shape has to be adjusted as there is a definite relation between them. The literature studies, provided the specifications of leather which had to be used for different types of drums. It was seen that the size and measurements of the instruments mentioned in literature is followed even today.
The types of wood used in drums were also studied. In the present day, wood from the jack tree or neem tree is used in drums. Of the many trees mentioned in literature, only six of them are identified as suitable for drums. These include the jack and the neem trees. The reason behind this selection of wood was investigated.
The structure of the wood was analysed using microscopy. Analysis reveals that wood from neem and jack have the property of enriching the sound produced in the resonator instead of damping it. Also, the trees that were not used did not have desirable physical and microscopic properties that rich the sound. The various analyses carried out by us as mentioned above, have shown that the old Tamils were knowledgeable in leather processing and had a highly developed science of music and sound.
Currently I am interested (1) on the classification of drums on the basis of concordance analysis of literature using statistical techniques, (2) on the basis of size of drums, (3) ethno-musicological studies on drums comparing the Literature of Tamil and Sanskrit. I am also interested in working out the scientific principles between shape and size of the instrument, leather and wood structure and the sound produced by these drums.
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