Scan 92
The American history and encyclopedia of music .., 1908
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1by the hands, one end being thickened by wax so as to sound a note an octave lower than the other. Additional instruments are sometimes used.
3To this class belongs the music of the theatre, and also the music sung by the dancing-girls or nautches. In large temples, there is a decorated hall in the outer portion of the temple, called the "Hall of Beauty." Here concert music is rendered on festival nights, to amuse the crowds of people who throng the precincts of the temple, waiting for the procession which carries the idol in the car, the chief feature in the festival program. This singing and dancing of the nautches in the "Hall of Beauty" is one of the most effective attractions to the festivals. The greater the fame of the performing nautch as a singer or dancer, the larger the crowds attracted to the festivals. This music is not a necessary part of the temple worship and is given only as a festival adjunct. The dancing of the nautches with accompanying music is often a feature of the entertainment at weddings in high life, or on occasions of special honor to some great guest or distinguished person. The invited guests are only men, and money and presents are lavishly bestowed upon the dancers.
5Under the head of concert music would also be classed the so-called lyrics or songs of which there are thousands; comparatively few of them, however, being of an enduring quality. On all special occasions, such as marriage ceremonies, anniversary occasions, meetings of welcome or farewell to distinguished guests, special songs of a personal nature are composed and sung in honor of the party. Such songs are written with a surprising ease and readiness, and many local poets have gained reputations for these personal and short-lived verses. These are sung usually by two boys with very shrill voices taking turns in a sort of recitative, accompanied by a violin.
7In addition, the people have many beautiful lyrics of a religious nature and of enduring merit. An interesting feature of their singing is the variation of tune in the differ-
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