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Music from India & Rome: a sur-sanga & harpsichord
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Music from India & Rome: a sur-sanga & harpsichord
Page from the Illustrated London News, 9th March 1963, showing two instruments from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: a sur-sanga, a five-stringed instrument from South India, decorated with motives of the goddess Sarasvati and the elephant-headed god Ganesa; and a golden baroque harpsichord made in Rome in the 17th century with flanking figures of Polyphemus and Galatea
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Media ID 14307173
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Baroque Harpsichord Instrument Instruments Metropolitan String Stringed Musical Sanga
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This image, published in the Illustrated London News on March 9, 1963, showcases an intriguing juxtaposition of musical instruments from two distinct cultural traditions: India and Rome. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is home to these unique treasures, which highlight the rich history of music and its global interconnections. At the heart of this photograph lies a sur-sanga, a five-stringed instrument hailing from South India. Decorated with intricate motifs of the revered goddess Sarasvati, the deity of knowledge, music, and art, and the elephant-headed god Ganesa, the remover of obstacles, this instrument embodies the spiritual significance of music in Indian culture. The sur-sanga, also known as a sur sanga or sursanga, is a stringed instrument that is plucked with a plectrum. Its elegant design and cultural symbolism make it a prized possession in the world of Indian music. In stark contrast to the sur-sanga, the golden baroque harpsichord in the background was crafted in Rome during the 17th century. Adorned with flanking figures of Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant from Greek mythology, and Galatea, a nymph famously brought to life by the sculptor Pygmalion, this harpsichord is a testament to the grandeur and artistic prowess of the Italian Baroque period. Its golden exterior and intricate detailing reflect the opulence and sophistication of the time. The convergence of these two instruments in this photograph not only highlights the diverse and interconnected history of music but also serves as a reminder of the enduring beauty and cultural significance of musical instruments throughout history.
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