Exploring the Musical Heritage of the Traditional Sri Lankan Musical Instrument Horanewa

Abstract

Some historical information reveals that the art of ensemble playing in Sri Lanka dates back to the Yaksha, Naga, and tribal eras that existed even before the suggested arrival of King Vijaya. Indigenous ensembles can also be described as an art that evolved with the development of humankind in different periods due to various invasions. A large number of ensemble instruments used by the Sri Lankan village artist from then to now are revealed in bibliographical information such as the Mahavamsa, Thupavamsa, Dambadeniya Asna, Kuveni Asna, and Saddharmalankara. These ensembles are divided into five types, mainly, that which is described as the panchathurya, including aathatha, vithatha, vithathaathatha, ghana and sushira, of which sushira is the calibration of blowing instruments that includes the horanewa as well. The horanewa can be introduced as the only swara/ notes instrument used by the Sinhala folk artist of the day among the instruments of the panchathurya. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the technical methods used in the production of this musical instrument called horanewa and its special techniques adopted in playing. Why does the horanewa instrument used at present not produce its own definite melodic sound? In relation to this question that arose, data were collected, analyzed and interpreted and conclusions were reached. As revealed in this descriptive research, the horanewa is a special musical instrument built with the technology of three traditional manufacturers. This research will be important to introduce and preserve the arts related to this musical instrument which is gradually dying out.