Echoes of Heritage: The Enrapturing Duitara Sound



In the hills of Meghalaya, a sound echoes forth,
A four-stringed instrument, crafted with care,
A symphony of wood and silk, a true work of art,
With notes as sweet as the mountain air.

Ka Duitara, the name given to this gem,
A representation of the Khasi and Jaintia culture,
A treasure of the people, a treasure that’s so rare,
A symbol of their heritage, a symbol that’s pure.

The hard wood frame, so sturdy and strong,
The belly coated with dried animal skin,
The neck adorned with four holes, where the strings belong,
Tuned by wooden pegs, held tight within.

The strings, made of ‘muga’ silk, so fine,
A melody that’s unrivaled, a sound divine,
It rises up, a symphony of sound,
As the Duitara, in the hands of a master, resounds.

In a world of bows and harps, the Duitara stands alone,
An instrument of mystery, so cryptic, so grand,
A symbol of the people, a symbol of home,
A reminder of the past, a testament to the land.

So listen, as the Duitara sings its song,
A tale of the hills, a tale of old,
A tale of a people, a tale of a long,
And proud heritage, that’s never to be sold.

About this poem

The above-presented sonnet is a lyrical tribute to the four-stringed folk musical instrument, Ka Duitara, of the Khasi and Jaintia people of Meghalaya. The poem showcases the unique characteristics of this instrument, its significance to the culture and heritage of the people, and its distinctiveness from other musical instruments. The use of vivid imagery and alliterative language in the sonnet evokes the reader's imagination, painting a picture of the beauty of Ka Duitara. The sonnet is written in a traditional rhyming pattern, with a clear and consistent structure that highlights the importance of the subject matter. The use of complex and elevated vocabulary serves to elevate the subject and to convey the grandeur of the instrument and its cultural significance. The poem ends on a note of admiration and reverence, inviting the reader to listen to the song of the Duitara and to appreciate its tale of the hills, the people, and their proud heritage. 

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Written on May 17, 2017

Submitted by Mawphniang.Napoleon on January 30, 2023

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:10 min read
3

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXA XXAX BCBC DDXX XEXE BFBF
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 1,109
Words 234
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Mawphniang Napoleon

Mawphniang is a person who is always striving to live life to the fullest. He is someone who is always open to new ideas and ways of living and is unafraid to take risks in order to explore the unknown. He is passionate about life and is always looking for ways to make use of his time and energy. He has an inquisitive nature, and is always looking for answers to life's mysteries and questions. Though Mawphniang does not pretend to have all the answers, he is determined to taste life and live a simple life, without overcomplicating things. He's a person who appreciates the small moments and cherishes the little things in life. He enjoys spending time in nature, exploring the world, and connecting with people. He is a person who is always up for a new adventure and never stops learning. He is on a daily journey of self-discovery, trying to make sense of the world and his place in it. more…

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    "Echoes of Heritage: The Enrapturing Duitara Sound" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/149591/echoes-of-heritage:-the-enrapturing-duitara-sound>.

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