Harmonium invented in France

The harmonium was invented in Paris in the 1840s by Alexandre Debain, though there was concurrent development of similar instruments. Christian Gottlieb Kratzenstein (1723-1795), Professor of Physiology at Copenhagen, was credited with the first free-read to be made in the western world after winning the annual prize in 1780 from the Imperial Academy of St Petersburg.

During the mid 19th century missionaries brought French made hand-pumped harmoniums to India. The instrument quickly became popular there: it was portable, reliable and easy to learn. It has remained popular to the present day, and the harmonium remains an important instrument in many genres of Indian music. It is commonly found in Indian homes. Though derive from the design developed in France, the harmonium was developed further in India in unique ways, such as the addition of drone stops and a scale changing mechanism.

So tell me Mr Maharaj, when did the harmonium become a ‘Hindu’ musical instrument?

LLOYD RAGOO

Chaguanas