The ''nagara'' or ''naghara'' is a drum used in India. There are several types of naghara, which is considered to be the lead instrument in mandir ceremonies and weddings. These are typically two drums, one treble and one bass and are played with sticks. In Sikh traditions, the naghara is used as a large singular ceremonial drum in Gatka performances and was used historically in battle. In Central Asia and the Middle East, the naghara is considered to be only one drum and differs in size and goes by various names such as " boyuk nagara" (big naghara), " cura nagara" (small naghara), "chiling naghara" (played with drum sticks), "

Qoltuq nagara The Qoltuq nagara of Azerbaijan (Armpit drum) (, ka, დოლი, ) is a folk drum with double head that is played on one side with the bare hands. It is used in Uzbekistan, Turkey, Iranian Azerbaijanis, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Caucasus, Kyrgyz ...

" (drum held under the arm), gosha naghara (

Naqareh The ''naqareh'', ''naqqāra'', ''nagara'' or ''nagada'' is a Middle Eastern drum with a rounded back and a hide head, usually played in pairs. It is thus a membranophone of the kettle drum variety. The term ''naqqāra'' (), also ''naqqarat'', ...

) and "el naghara" (hand naghara). Natig rythm group at the Novruz holiday concert

Nagada (Indian Drum) is a

percussion A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a percussion mallet, beater including attached or enclosed beaters or Rattle (percussion beater), rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or ...

instrument used for its rhythmic sounds.. Nakara is a festival instrument mostly used in South

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

Hindu temple A Hindu temple, also known as Mandir, Devasthanam, Pura, or Kovil, is a sacred place where Hindus worship and show their devotion to Hindu deities, deities through worship, sacrifice, and prayers. It is considered the house of the god to who ...

s. The size may vary and this instrument may be kept near the entrance of the South Indian Hindu temples.

Temple musical instrument

Nagada is played even now in chosen Hindu temples in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

. The temple musical instruments are termed as Kethu or jalliry or jalli instruments (

Tamil Language Tamil (, , , also written as ''Tamizhil'' according to linguistic pronunciation) is a Dravidian language natively spoken by the Tamil people of South Asia. It is one of the longest-surviving classical languages in the world,. "Tamil is one of ...

: கெத்து வாத்தியம், "ஜல்லிரி', "ஜல்லி'). Mostly the temple staff operate this musical instrument. It is learned that about 18 musical instruments (Ashta dasa) were being played during regular pooja times, special occasions like

consecration Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects ( ...

, temple fairs and festivals and during procession timings i.e., car procession, float festival and palanquin festival processions. These instruments were most popular during eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Nakara (Indian drum) is one among them. It is the variant of Murasu instrument. In famous temples this pair of musical instrument is either tied on the back of a bull or an elephant and the animal taken before the procession. Beating the instrument would communicate people that the temple procession is following.

Components of nakara

Nakara (pair of Indian drums) is the skin-covered hand drum used in south Indian temple rituals and ceremonies. The bottom portion of Nakara is made with half spherical metal vessel. Most probably the metallic component employed for Nakara would be either

brass Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve different colours and mechanical, electrical, acoustic and chemical properties, but copper typically has the larger proportion, generally copper and zinc. I ...

copper Copper is a chemical element; it has symbol Cu (from Latin ) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkish-orang ...

metal. The instrument may use either goatskin or similar skin for the membrane. The membrane would be attached with the metal vessel either with cords or metal strips. The instrument will raise thunder-like sound when played by beating with the help of special beaters or bent sticks. The purpose of playing Nakara is to communicate with the public by beating the rhythmic sound.இசையின் கருவறைகள்
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References

External links

T.C. Kultur Bakanligi / Ministry of Culture, Republic of Turkey
* ttp://world-beats.com/instruments/dhol.htm Drums, Percussion & unique Instruments - World Beats -br>page for the Naghara at nasehpour websiteYoutube Video - Baraban from CircassiaYoutube Video - Baraban from Dagestan
{{Musical instruments of Georgia (country) Drums Hand drums Asian percussion instruments Turkish musical instruments Music of Azerbaijan Music of Georgia (country) Azerbaijani musical instruments Persian musical instruments Dagestanian musical instruments Musical instruments of Georgia (country) Turkmen musical instruments Drums of Nepal

Temple musical instrument

Components of nakara

See also

References

External links