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| A peculiar kind of an instrument often used in the religious events in the south. Here is a video clip showing how it is played. |
TAMBILA
Indian religious events are always witnessed with much joy and fervor accompanied by sturdy musical instruments. Ancient religious texts like Rigveda, Bhagavtgeeta also mention a number of musical instruments played at the time of Yaga, Griha-Pravesha, Maha-Aarati, Maha-Abhisheka, Kalasharohana etc. At the auspicious moment of a marriage also loud sound of percussions was (and still is) a necessity.
In south, one can find a large number of percussions played in the holy premises of the temple on important occasions. One of such instruments is Tambila. It is a drum weighing around 3 kilograms made of jack wood, tied either with ropes or with chords of animal bowels. Right end is smaller in diameter compared to the left. Both sides are covered with goat skin. Both the ends are played with help of sturdy sticks. The left one is fat and the right one is always thin.
This instrument is played along with other tonal instruments. Many times it is played solo with two or three other players of the same instrument. It is importantly played at the time of a procession of the deity around the temple premises.
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