Rоban or Rоbana (
Sinhalese
Sinhala may refer to:
* Something of or related to the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka
* Sinhalese people
* Sinhala language, one of the three official languages used in Sri Lanka
* Sinhala script, a writing system for the Sinhala language
** Sinha ...
: රබාන) is one-sided traditional drum type played with the hands, used in
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...
.Its mainly played in Aurudu Kreeda (The Srilankan New Year). The body of these drums are made by carving the
Jack or
Vitex trees. The skin used is that of a
goat. There are two types of Robans as Hand Roban and Bench Roban.
* Hand Roban is about one foot in diameter. Some performers keep revolving the Roban on the tip of their fingers while others play it accompanied with singing. This is played with one hand only. This type of Robana is mostly associated with the type of folk songs called 'Virindu'. The 'Virindu' singer carrying a 'Hand Robana' clad with a
sarong and a
bandana
A kerchief (from the Old French ''couvrechief'', "cover head"), also known as a bandana, bandanna, or "Wild Rag" (in cowboy culture), is a triangular or square piece of cloth tied around the head, face or neck for protective or decorative purpos ...
is an iconic in pre-modern Sri Lankan society.
* Bench Roban is the biggest of the drums used in Sri Lanka with the diameter of it about four feet. The special feature of this drum is that it is played by two or more people at a time. They use both hands. During the festival season, people gather around the ''Roban'' and play it for various rhythms. These rhythms are called ''Roban Sural'' and they're mostly played by women. It's played on every happy occasion. They also sing songs along the rhythm called varang kavi or raban pada. Srilankan folk literature is full of varang kavi and roban pada.
See also
*
Culture of Sri Lanka
The culture of Sri Lanka mixes modern elements with traditional aspects and is known for its regional diversity. Sri Lankan culture has long been influenced by the heritage of Theravada Buddhism passed on from India, and the religion's legacy ...
*
Kandyan dance
References
Dances, Masks and Drums of Sri Lanka, Ranga Dance Ensemble - Sri Lanka
Hand drums
Sri Lankan music
{{SriLanka-stub