So… what exactly is a harmonium?

I’ve had a special request this week to write a few words about the harmonium. For those of you who don’t know, I now have one of these wonderful instruments, and I’ve been using it to accompany our kirtans at Vraie Nature Yoga. What is kirtan? It is a gathering of folks to sing yoga mantras, usually in call-and-response style; one person sings/calls out the mantra, and the group replies with the same mantra. We have our next kirtan coming up this Sunday, March 17th from 4-5pm. It is free and open to everyone, children included; potluck snacks (vegetarian) to follow. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

But back to the main question at hand: What is a harmonium? It is a keyboard instrument that pumps air through metal reeds to produce sound. It is commonly used in India and other South Asian countries to accompany the singing of sacred/devotional mantras or songs.

Interestingly, the first harmonium-type instrument was invented not in India, but in Denmark in the 1700s! In the early 1800s, the foot-pedal harmonium was developed in Paris, and became popular in smaller churches that couldn’t afford or accommodate a full-size organ. As Europeans began to settle in the New World, the harmonium made its way to the United States and soon afterwards to India, on British missionary ships.

The harmonium captured the imagination of Indian musicians and soon took on a new form: the foot pedals (used to pump air into the instrument) were replaced with a hand-operated bellows behind the instrument. This Indian version of the harmonium was smaller, simpler, more durable, and much more portable. Also, it allowed the musician to play seated on the floor, as was customary in India. And, as Indian music emphasizes melody over harmony, the use of one hand to pump the bellows and one hand to play the melody was perfect! (The earlier foot-pedal versions had allowed musicians to use both hands on the keyboard.)

Not all Indian musicians were keen to accept the harmonium; some radio stations even banned it! The notes in classical Indian music are different than in Western music; the spaces between notes are finer, more subtle. The harmonium couldn’t produce the nuances that some musicians sought. Moreover, some considered it a remnant of British colonialism. And yet, over time, the harmonium gained acceptance, and is now a common sight and sound in Indian sacred music.

The Indian hand-pump harmonium made its way overseas in the 1950-60s, with the wave of Asian immigration to North America. And now it comes to YOU, right here in Chelsea!

I’ve had my harmonium for about three months now, and I’m enjoying it very much. It’s become a faithful companion to me, taking me by the hands and leading me deeper and deeper into the world of yogic mantras, meditation and devotion. Here’s a recording of yesterday’s practice session. Click below to see what a harmonium sounds like, and to hear two of the mantras we will sing on Sunday.

As I improve my recordings, I will post all our kirtan songs on my website. Stay tuned!

References / Further Reading:

• The Harmonium was born in Europe – so how did it become synonymous with Indian music?, by Vishwas R. Gaitonde
• Shiva, the First Yogi, by Sadhguru