14 DAY TRIAL // What you see in this picture can easily be named a drum machine. Now, I know it has a very poor resemblance to a Boss Dr. Rhythm or some other well-known drum-stations; nevertheless, it is a drum-machine as it clearly features both a machine (see the motor on the left) and a drum. Even more, to see how complex things can be right from the beginning of technology, this technological marvel sports 2 bells as well!
This pic was showcased on BoinBoing and was taken in the Bull Temple in Bangalore, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka and so far I can't but guess that drumming and bell-ing are a part of a religious ceremony or ritual. Now, the question remains the same as I just sit and ask myself: the religious tradition says you must hit a drum and some bells (I don't know and I don't intend to find out why). Anthropologically, this means you're performing a magical act and your very actions have a mystic meaning which connects you with the divinity you're praying to, am I right?
I don't want to sound blasphemous but I sincerely doubt that constructing a drum-beating machine moving with mechanical energy coming from a motor was in any way recommended by the ancient holy scriptures. It's somehow funny yet sad to see how technology finds its way in the religious feeling, especially as this drum-machine looks like a very poor piece of engineering. Even more, all mechanism is inside a cage so monkeys or "less humble" visitors can't set it in motion and disturb the holy role it serves.
Now, leaving alone the religious purpose, this automated drum and bell machine is quite fascinating simply because it has a curious design; I wonder what rhythms it can perform, if any at all, others than a single pre-defined beat. As some fellow-editors from Blogspot noticed, such a contraption could easily become a success-vector for a beat-based contemporary music band. I doubt that the temple personnel would agree to let it go, but hey, good pictures can be the basis for a reverse engineering project!
Finally, one more question: is the engine holy as well?
