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Damaru
The Damru or Damaru is a small drum with two heads, mostly prevalent in Tibetan Buddhism and Hindu culture. In many parts of the subcontinent of India, this damaru is quite well known. It is considered to be a power drum and if believed, it emanates spiritual energy when played. It has mythological association with Lord Shiva. Some people also believe that the language of Sanskrit was identified by the damaru’s beats and with the Shiva’s performance in Tandav cosmic dance form. Due to the small size of the damaru, it is used by many musicians of all genres.
The damaru has a shield shape, and in this there is a upward triangular form, which is symbolic of male lingam or procreativity while the rounded downwards pointing form is showing the female yoni or procreativity. As a symbolic meaning of this shape, the world’s beginning occurs when there is the meeting of the yoni and lingam at midpoint while their separation leads to destruction.
Origin of Damaru
There have been mentions of Dimdima and Dhakka, some variations of this instrument, in the Mahasutasoma, Amarakosa and Jataka Astadhyayi, and in many other places. Damarukam has been mentioned in various Old Tamil literatures also. A few other names by which this instrument is represented are Dambru, Damru, Budbudke, Kudukuduppai and Budbudukalu, the last two names belonging to languages from South India. Although its use in more recent folk music is rare, it is commonly seen with minstrels who are wandering, monkey-men and soothsayers.
Design
This instrument of Damru is made from wood, with both ends having leather heads. Sometimes, it is made totally from the skulls of humans. Brass resonator is present in the damru. The usual height of Damaru is about 6 inches, while it can weight about 250 to 330 gms. The height can be sometimes as long as one foot. It is usually played with a single hand. There are strikers, which are tied to the leather cords ends, usually at the waist portion of the damaru. Other kinds of strikers can be knots put on the leather cords or materials of crochet. Strikers beat on the end drumheads, when the player uses a wrist twisting motion during the playing of the instrument.
Playing Positions
One hand is used for playing the damaru. As strikers, there are beads tied to the leather cords present in the waist of the damarus. Also, these can be replaced by knots on the cords. It is held at the waist and the jerking motion of the hand will produce sound. Due to this action, the drumhead is struck by the knots, which will emanate the sounds. It is because of this reason that the name clapper drums is given to the membranophones class of instruments. When the braces are loosened, a different pitch and rhythm is obtained.
Due to the association of damaru with Lord Shiva, it is thought to be an instrument with power and when this instrument is played, there is a relation with spiritual energy.
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