Percussion Instruments

The Kanjira

The Kanjira (South Indian Frame Drum) is one of the most popular instrument in the family of tambourines. It is made out of wooden rim from Jack fruit tree (mostly available in eastern countries) having approximately 2" to 2 1/2" inches deep and the total diameter of the wooden rim will be in the range of 7" to 8" inches... the wooden frame covered with the monitor lizard skin (now it endangered species in India) streatching round the frame.

Basically the skin will be pasted with regular carpenter's glue and kept aside for a day to dry. This frame drum also has one pair brass jingle fitted on one side to get a sharp cut sound. Normally, without tuning, this instrument sounds very hight pitched sound. The artists has to sprinkle water on the back inside of the instrument to get a good bass sound. The players has to be very careful in putting water on the back side, as over water sprinkle will lead to dead tone... so we have to wait for 5-10mins for the instrument to dry.

You can get heavy bass sound by correctly sprinkling the water during the concerts. The instrument will also have effect on outside temperature and moisture conditions. The performers has to carry couple of Kanjira's for the concerts so that they can keep atleast one instrument in perfectly tuned condition. If one instrument tone get died, we can use another instrument. So, usually audience questions having multiple kanjiras on the stage.. this is the reason..

Now the Cooperman (www.cooperman.com) and Remo (www.remo.com) drum companies, brought synthetic and cloth mylar skin kanjiras which can be tuned according to the pitch of the concert... ( Cooperman drum company will soon be bringing out newly designed kanjira by Ganesh Kumar)

Kanjira is mostly used for the South Indian Classical concerts ( the carnatic music system in India) as a supporting instrument for the Mridangam ( the double headed barrel shaped drum).. Kanjira is a recent innovation (less than 100 years) and added to the classical concerts during 1930's.

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