Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month. The exhibit for the month of March, 2022 - “Narasingha” - A Trumpet of Folk Community from Village: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, is on display in the indoor exhibition building – Veethi Sankul.
The 'exhibit of the month' was inaugurated by P. K. Mishra, Director, IGRMS, renowned people present on this occasion. This exhibit of the month had been composed by Gitu Yaikhom, Museum Assistant.
About the exhibit displayed in the exhibition Gitu Yaikhom, Museum Assistant told that this is the first exhibit in the collection of the Sangrahalaya, Narasingha is an ancient wind blowing musical instrument used by the people of Himachal Pradesh. It is widely used in other parts of the country as well and is known by different names such as Tutari in Maharashtra, Turi in Uttar Pradesh, Bankya and Bargu in Rajasthan, Banke in Karnataka, Ran-Singha or Nar-Singa in Madhya Pradesh, Ramsinga in West Bengal, etc.
It is the first specimen accessioned in the permanent collection of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya in 1978 by Sachin Roy as Officer on Special Duty. He proposed the idea for setting up of this unique museum. This S-shaped trumpet is mostly played during the festivals and welcoming of guests in the village. Structure of Narshinga - The maximum length of this musical instrument is 101 cm. Its structure is S-shaped but it can also be used as C-shape depending upon the desire of the player.
There are five exquisitely ornamented rings of different sizes attached to the joints of the instruments. Prominent ornamentation is seen in the fifth ring.