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Music has been an integral part of the Indian identity for centuries. Music is more than just an art form; it serves as a profound language of the human spirit, deeply rooted in spirituality and cultural identity. It defines cultural identity through festivals, street performances, and household rituals, creating a unique, vibrant atmosphere.
From the traditional temple rituals to the contemporary midnight jam sessions, music is a n universal language that shapes human life by acting as a powerful tool to express emotion and connect with each other. Central to this legacy are the diverse traditional musical instruments that have preserved and propelled the country’s cultural identity through the ages.
While many of these instruments remain hidden
gems, rarely seen or heard by the wider world, they carry profound historical significance. For instance, the Morchang, which is a small instrument known for its unique, hypnotic sound.
A video of the instrument has recently gone viral on the internet, capturing an artist playing Morchang.
Morchang Comes Alive
The video from the deserts of Rajasthan has gone viral for preserving the essence of a 1,500-year-old Morchang musical tradition. What makes the scene compelling is its simplicity — no formal setup, no audience seating, just an organic interaction between artist, instrument, and environment.
Music Beyond the Stage
The clip was posted on Instagram by a user identified as Devansh Alijar. The text overlay on the video read, “This is Morchang. Ancient. Alive.” In the quiet sweep of a desert landscape, a traditional musician brings centuries-old sound to life with this tiny metal instrument.
Sharing the video, the user wrote, “An old man. A silent desert. And a tiny instrument called Morchang. No stage. No mic. Just centuries of rhythm vibrating through metal and breath. Trends fade. Craft endures. Some music isn’t heard — it’s felt. Sometimes you never know what vibes you will love and where. Loved this inner exploration while exploring.”
How Did The Internet React
The video rapidly went viral on the internet, with netizens stunned by the old art form that dates back nearly 1,500 years. A user commented, “Amazing,” while another said, “This is so cool.” The third user wrote, “It’s an ancient Sindhi instrument called Chang.” “In his hands, it becomes more than music,” another shared.
About Morchang
The morchang, a small jaw harp-like instrument, is deeply rooted in regional folk music traditions. Played using breath and subtle mouth movements, it produces rhythmic vibrations that feel both meditative and percussive.
The Morchang is a fascinating ancient instrument classified as a lamellophone, a specialised subcategory of phallic idiophones. Structurally, it features a sturdy metal frame consisting of a ring with two parallel prongs, through which a central metal tongue (or trigger) resides.
It is made of metal and decorated with a peacock head motif.
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