Indian Harmonium Resources

The harmonium, a type of musical instrument also known as baja, or vaja, is an integral part of the Sikh worship service and may be found in every gurdwara, and often in the private homes of many devout Sikhs. The harmonium is a type of portable, hand-operated pump organ popular for playing shabads, or the divine hymns of Gurbani Kirtan, in sing along style. The harmonium is played by classically trained Ragi musicians, or self taught kirtanis, usually accompanied by a tabla, and hand held kartal shakers.

The harmonium introduced to India during the 1800's when imported by the British, quickly caught on with the native population because of its versatility. Harmonium styles have gone through various stages of modification over the centuries which make them suitable for worship services conducted while sitting cross-legged on the floor, or stage.

Every standard harmonium has a body, bellows, a reed system and black and white keys. One hand operates the bellows pump to push air through metal reeds, while the other hand plays the keys to produce mellow musical notes. Bellows may open to be pumped by hand from the front on either right, or left side, the top, and even both front and back of the harmonium. Various deluxe harmoniums may also have a combinations of features which may, or may not, include knobs for stops, drones, a coupler, or a scale changer. Harmoniums are have either a fixed body and bellows system, or fold to collapse when stored or transported. The harmonium generally has 12 - 17 black minor keys, and 21 - 25 white major keys, and may weigh anywhere between 19 - 52 lbs.