Description:- Musical Instruments of Mizoram, State:- Mizoram
Post Office: Mizoram, Pin Code: 796001
Mizoram is a region in India. Its folk music consists of vocals accompanied by traditional drums, gongs, and other
native percussion instruments. There is also a long history of flute-playing, which is now defunct. The drums are made from a
hollow tree trunk with a membrane made from cowhide, and the gongs, made of
brass, are very similar to those found in Myanmar. It is difficult to trace the origin and to arrange the
chronological sequences of the heritage of Mizo Music. However, some couplets
were developed during the settlement of Thantlang in Burma, estimated between 1300 and 1400 AD. As recorded by B. Lalthangliana, the folk songs developed during
this period were Dar Hla, Bawh Hla, Hlado, and Nauawih Hla. A greater development of songs can be seen
from the settlement of Lentlang in Burma, estimated between the late 15th and 17th
centuries AD. The Mizos occupied present-day Mizoram from the late 17th century.
The pre-colonial period, that is, from the 18th to 19th century A.D., was another
important era in the history of Mizo folk literature. Prior to the annexation
by the British government, the Mizos occupied the present Mizoram for two
centuries. In comparison with the folk songs of the Thantlang and Lentlang
settlements, the songs of this period are more developed in number, form, and
contents. The languages are more polished, and the flows are also better. Most of
the songs of this period are named after the composers. In precolonial times,
the Mizos used the drum, gong, and mouth organ made of gourd and bamboo as musical instruments. With
adoption of Christianity, musical instruments other than the drum lost their
appeal. The first musical instrument to enter Mizoram was the mouth organ, brought
in by Mrs. Fraser in 1907. Mr. Vankhama, a well-known composer, was
influential in popularizing the guitar in Mizoram.
