Five thousand years ago, the oldest instrument to come to light was made evident at the Indus Valley civilization. This was the ravanastram, a bowed instrument. The history of music - be it vocal or instrumental - is a revered one. Music - both Hindustani and Carnatic - was nadopasana (seeking to somehow reach, or express the majesty of, God through sound). Till date, the major temples of the south mark festivals with dance and music - always classical - particularly at Tirupati and Chennai. The completeness of the endeavour can be witnessed in the second century AD text, the Silappadigaram. This Tamil work offers details of the musical scales, instruments (thirty one different drums), the correct proportions for concert fora and the seating of musicians while on stage! The old ways and concerns are very much a part of Carnatic sangeet - ancient compositions, including the Tevaram hymns of the seventh century AD., are still sung. Nonetheless, certain musical instruments of yore are no longer popular. The beautiful yazh and the yail veena (dragon head veena) are rare sights today.

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