Svaram - Nidranantar

This elaborately constructed instrument of the size of a massage table with 50 strings and a wooden resonator opens a completely new gate of perception of the healing and harmonizing dimension of pure sound.

The receiving person lies on the upper surface while the strings attached to the bottom are gently played, unfolding the magic of the sound in its rich spectrum of overtones, enveloping and suffusing, as it seems, every cell of the body. The inherent vibrational nature of our organism is tapped into and set in motion.

The experience of this ‘altered state’ of intensified physical awareness refreshes and nurtures the whole system and leaves an imprint of harmony and well-being. The Nidranantar is the central instrument of the Sonorium Sound Healing Space.

Initiated in 2003 as a grassroots community, rural development project in Tamil Nadu (India),  Svaram has been recognised by the UN Initiative “Music as a Global Resource” as one of its first 50 projects worldwide. The open association and team of over 50 local artisans, trainees, international volunteers and professionals has always retained its emphasis on the human element, its heritage and prospect of evolutionary change and positive progress.

Initially focusing on communication-social-and craft-skill trainings with the practical core of hands on work with different materials like wood, metals, clay, bamboo and seeds/shells for instrument building, extensive explorations and a communal discovery process on the ‘magic of sound’ stimulated the growth of the team in ever unfolding and often surprising directions, creating a natural enthusiasm in everyone involved for the chosen work with the mystery and magic of sound!