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Music Instruments: Percussion

NagaraDifferent kind of drums form this group of musical instruments. They are of various kind : two sided drums, the shallow rimmed and single faced.
The twin faced drums include the tiny damru or dugdugi of the Kalbelia and the madari (juggler) and the obliquitous dhol from which the dholi derives his caste name.

The Bhils use the maddal, a folk versions of moisang which has a body of baked clay and gives a booming sound.

The single faced and shallow rimmed drums are the day and the chng. The dang is the biggest and with a parchment pasted on its rim, is a big favourite of the holi revellers. The players strikes the center with his left hand and the edge if the membrane with a stick attached to a fingure of right hand.
A second player beats out a faster rhythm along the rim which is called chippi lagana.

The smallest member in this group is the Khanjri, and its variant is the Dhapli. They are used by the kalbelias. Single faced instruments are played singl


Dhapliy or in pairs. The largest single conical drum is the bam of Bharatapur. The Dhonsa and Damama are also big single drums. The nagara or naggara are two conical drums, one biggest than the other. Played with the surani and Nafeeri, they form the orchestra for the folk opears. The Bhils, Garasiya and Sahariyas use the Kundi, a single, small conical drum, while the nagaru-mishan has two bowl shaped drums and is used by the Jasnathi Siddhas, among others.

The tasa or tasha is like a covered thali and used in Moharram processions. The Matkas of Pabuji and the ghada are a pair of huge earthernware pots, their mounth covered with membrane. One player plays wach matka, and the bhopas use it to accompany their singing. The Meghwals along the Indo-pak boarder play the ghada, an ordinary earthen pot. With amazing effect.

The ring worn on a finger of the right hand beats out the rhythm while the player products a blooming sound by blowing in to the mouth of pot. The whole effects is heightened by the graceful dance of player.









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