KANJEERA

Introduction

The Kanjeera is a very old and traditional instrument which is very popular in South Indian classical performances. Kanjeera isa secondary percussion which is played as an accompaniment with the mridangam.

The Kanjeera, also known as ganjira, is a percussion instrument that belongs to the tambourine family. Kanjeera is basically used in concerts of Carnatic music which is a form of south Indian classical music as a supporting instrument for the mridangam.

The Kanjeera comparatively with other instruments is being in use for less than 100 years, and was added as an accompaniment to classical concerts during the 193's.

Some features of a good quality Kanjeera athat is available in the market is that is made from a solid piece of local Egyptian wood, called Sarsouh with the Manta Ray fish-skin head and 1 brass cymbal set. The frame of Kanjeera will be around 7 inches in diameter and 3 inches in height. It will be accompanied within a nylon case. The Kanjeera in modern times are offered with the Manta Ray skin; which has proved to be a close substitution in terms of quality of sound and the aesthetics.

This Instrument is similar to the Western tambourine; an authentic Kanjeera consists of a circular frame made of the wood of the jackfruit tree that measures between 7 and 9 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 inches in depth. The instrument is covered on one side with a drumhead made from monitor lizard skin, here too the specific Bengal monitor, Varanus bengalensis, which is now an endangered species in India. While the other side of Kanjeera is left open. The frame Kanjeera contains a single slit which has three to four small metal discs, often old coins are used here which jingle and make a certain noise when the it is played.

One of the most difficult Indian drum to play is probably the Kanjeera. It is generally played with one's palm and fingers of the right hand, while the left hand is used to support the drum. The fingertips of the left hand can be used to bend the pitch by applying pressure near the outer rim.

Normally the Kanjeera without tuning itself creates a very high pitched sound. For getting a good bass sound, the performer has to reduce the tension of the drumhead by sprinkling some water on the inside of the Kanjeera. Such process may be repeated during a concert to maintain a good bass sound. However, one needs to be careful while sprinkling water because if the instrument if too moist gives out the dead tone, requiring 5-10 minutes to dry. Tone of the instrument is also affected by external temperature and moisture conditions. Performers typically carry a couple of Kanjeeras so that they can keep at least one in perfectly tuned condition at any given time.

How to play a Kanjeera

If the performer musician is right handed, he should hold the Kanjeera in his/her left hand. Though the head is fixed, the player or performer can vary the sound and pitch with the help of application of pressure close to or near the outer rim of the head of Kanjeera with his/her left hand. The performers are advised to play this instrument by simply tapping and rolling it with the fingers on the head and cymbal.

Popular Musicians

G Harishankar is most famous and greatest Kanjeera artist ever to have played this instrument. Other famous artists are Sri Subash Chandran, Ganesh Kumar and Amrit Nataraj

Where to buy a Kanjeera

Bhatia Musicals
Address: V-6, Central Market, Kidwai Nagar East, New Delhi, Delhi - -, India
Phone: +(91)-(11)-4620562/4631562/9811027573
Fax: +(91)-(11)-4631562

Trimurti Musicals
address: D/704, Moreshwar Dham Liberty Garden Road No. 3, Malad (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra - 400 064, India
Phone: +(91)-(22)-28890895

Sathyadeep Musical Palace
Mr Ashish Shrivastava
Beside Vysya Bank
Post- Puttaparthy
Dist-- Anantapur
Andhra Pradesh Pin- 515134
INDIA
[email protected]
[email protected]

Indian Musical Instruments
2-B Netaji Subhash Marg,
Main Road,
Darya Ganj,
New Delhi 110002
India.
Helpline Number: 91-11- 43513848, 91-11- 23270666, 91-11- 23273687
Fax Number: 91 - 11 - 43582673
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]

Where to learn to play a Kanjeera

Mr Selvaganesh V
Cell no +(91)-(44)-26444066
14/5,Kilpauk Garden, Parasu Street, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600010

Mr Sethuraman S
Cell no +(91)-(44)-24954457 +(91)-9444226845, 9445308384
Send Enquiry By Email No.a-40, Near Mandaveli Rlwy Station, Visalakshi Nagar, Mylapore, Chennai - 600004