BRASS BELLS FROM INDIA

As I have mentioned repeatedly in previous posts, I enjoy collecting bells of various types and sizes, and finding ways of adding them to my ridiculous percussion ensemble.  In this post I would like to present and demonstrate some more of my vast collection.

INDIA BELLS
The country of India is well-known for their brass bells, so I have found many, many items on eBay labeled "India Bells."  Suffice to say, an "India Bell" is simply a brass bell that came from India.  They come in innumerable shapes and sizes, so this term serves as a general description.  They aren't called "Indian Bells" because in the United States that name often refers to Native Americans, who focused more on feathers and buffaloes than they did brass.

Some bells are identified as "Bells of Sarna" or "Sarna Bells" because an immigrant from India by the name of "S.S. Sarna" came to America in the 1920s and began importing and selling brass bells from his home country.  Contrary to the communist opinion of the current president, Mr. Sarna DID build his business on his own here in America and became quite wealthy and famous.  God bless America.

Whether a brass bell purchased in the States is an authentic antique Sarna bell is subject to the professional examination of a serious collector, as many bells made today are still called "Bells of Sarna" even though Mr. Sarna did not make them himself and is actually dead.  His story, as told by himself in 1970, can be read HERE.

The brass bells typically come in sets of three or more in graduated sizes and are strung together by a thin rope.  This is why they can also be referred to as "Rope Bells."  They are equipped with a brass ring for this purpose, and can be strung up on a door so that they jingle when it is opened.  The bells are small, usually less than two inches in diameter, and have little clappers inside to ring them when shaken.

The set pictured above, which I purchased for my drum kit, consists of three bells with rings but no rope.  Their diameters are 1.75", 2" and 2.25", a bit larger than most sets.  I chose to mount them on a standard wooden chimes bar with brass hooks so that I can ring them individually.  Here is a video clip to demonstrate their sound:

I consider that a series of delightful tintinnabulations well executed.

By the way, the mounting bracket was also designed and built exclusively by me, not the damn government, Mr. President.  Sorry.  Although my drum set is red, it is NOT a kit for commies, so back off, dude.