The
hakgediya is a type of conch shell (the
gastropod shell of a large marine
gastropod mollusk) which is used as a kind of trumpet in the traditional ritualistic music and religious folk art-music of
Sri Lanka,
[ Monks, Priests and Peasants. Brill Archive] which has been somewhat influenced by Indian music. The hakgediya is an
aerophone, or
Susira (wind instrument or aerophone in the language of
Pali). This instrument was used mainly in
Theravada Buddhist artistic rituals which also involved other categories of instruments such as
Ghana, Avanaddha, and
Tat (
,
and
chordophones respectively).
Performance Rituals
The
hakgediya is not used to perform
melodic variation or to be the main instrument in the ritualistic pice. The variance found in the notes emitted by the hakgediya is in
dynamic range (volume), as the player can choose to blow soft or loud, with a sharp or smooth attack, sustain, decay and release.
In traditional Buddhist art music rituals, the main instruments are the drums pertaining to the
Avanaddha category, the hakgediya is more of an accompaniment. This has to do with the Sri-Lankan belief that rhythm emanates from
Brahma's teeth clashing.
The hakgediya is used in the ritual in honor of the Three Jewels (Gautama Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), right after chanting the Astakas, Sahali, and Curnikas which ensures blessings to all Gods. After the blessings, the hakgediya is blown three times in three cycles, along with auspicious drumming.
