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India ……. Here are some of my traditional Indian instruments and some we picked up on our travels to Andra Pradesh. We had a wonderful encounter jamming with the locals in a music shop, Hyderabad, India.

I. Frame drum

Daff   This drum comes under the daff group which have various colloquial names. Played with a thin flat stick in your left hand and a thicker stick in the right hand, it can make a huge sound. What I love about frame drums is the fact that so many people groups play them in such different ways. When I found this drum there was a dholak player trying out a new drum and we had a bit of an impromptu jam in the shop. It was a special moment.

Nagara

Nagara – This clay drum with platted hide I found in America, a long way from it’s origin. When heated it gives a wonderfully pure sound. I think it is related to the large timpani type drums that one sees strung onto elephants during celebrations. If so this would be one of a pair of which one would be smaller and higher in pitch.

I. Dholak

Dholak – A drum that comes in many sizes, small and large depending on which part of India it appears in. From the large drums of Bengal to the smaller sized instruments used by beggars and in wedding ceremonies played by women. I have seen it played in many different ways with both hands and sticks.

I. Damaru drums

Damara – This small drum has always fascinated me. An hourglass shaped drum that when shaken and squeezed can alter pitch. A single or double knotted cord strikes the double headed instrument and enables some very different rhythmic effects. I have heard that this bizarre instrument was first used by a community called the madari. As they sang they would play the drum and their associates, monkey’s or bear’s, would dance!!!

I. Shehnai

Shenai – Found this double reed instrument in a small shop in Hyderabad. One of those wonderful Aladdin’s cave type stores, where you just never know quite what you might find. Although now used in India, I think this oboe type wind instrument migrated from other subcontinent countries. At first used in weddings and processions, (it’s well loud) it has now also found a place in contemporary music.

I. Pungi

 Pungi – The old snake charmers pipe, wonderful sound. Made of a calabash and often bamboo pipes, this single reed wind instrument has a pipe that plays the melody and another pipe that plays the drone. The most bizarre thing is that cobra’s have no ears to hear with so not sure how all that works????

I. Gopi yantra

Gopi yantra – This bizarre looking instrument is a single-string harp. It is known as a “pulling drum” because of its playing technique and is a popular folk instrument in West Bengal.

Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Dr. Lakshmidhar Malaviya says:

    I am at present editing a 16 century Braja poet, and have come across the name of an instrument called `runja’. I assume from the context that it is some kind of drum.
    I shall be highly obliged for further information and, if possible, photographs.
    With regards,
    Malaviya
    Kyoto, Japan.

  • martin says:

    Dear Malaviya, thanks for your note. yes, you are right the Runja was a percussive instrument used in the folk traditions around the 13th Century. I have heard about it but unfortunately I have never seen a picture. Will do some research and see what I come up with.

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