about Kanjira
The Kanjira is a small frame drum from South India, integral to Carnatic music. Traditionally made with a jackfruit wooden frame, a single pair of jingles and a lizard-skin membrane, it offers basically two sounds. A high cutting "Ta" sound and a low bass sound. However, a skilled player will be able to produce a wide range of sounds with it.
As mentioned, Kanjiras are traditionally made using the skin of the monitor lizard, but due to conservation efforts, this material is no longer widely available. Today, synthetic and goat skin alternatives are used, though I consider the original sound of the monitor lizard skin incomparable.
Two players you should absolutely be aware of, are the late Kanjira master G. Harishankar and master percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram, son of ghatam legend Vikku Vinayakram.
