An Ethnomusicological study of gypsy music in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Gypsies are a special category among the different tribes that live in Sri Lanka. They have their typical religious beliefs, social behaviour, marriage customs, language and arts. According to the sociological and anthropological point of view, their society has its own identity. Their music as well as other practices have special characteristics. Gypsy music has been enriched by the traditional folk music of Sri Lanka. It has two components, Vocal music and Instrumental Music. These play' a special role in the society. The music of the gypsies is linked with their day-to-day activities. The "Pungi" and the "Tappu" are the main instruments. There is a caste-based system in this society. The playing of the drum was exclusively done by the people of a specific caste named "sinnabiate Dugudur and Sidartalkayor". However, the objective of this study was to analyze the process of making instruments, The technical methods employed, their musicological and ethnomusicological characteristics etc. with, a traditional approach which primarily caste- based. Literary surveys, participant observations methods of interview were mainly utilized for this study.