Manjira

The  traditional percussion instrument Manjira is popular musical accompaniment in India right from ancient times, it is a simpl form of a  pair of small hand cymbals, while this instrument is also calledmanjeera, jalra,taal,jhanj, mondira, used by the player during folk music deliveries or devotional music bhajans, this instrument must have been in use right from Vedic period which is before 3000 years, which fact has been known through the ancient paintings in temples and caves.

The instrument Manjira’s construction is mostly with metals such as brass, bronze,  Bell metal or copper zinc alloy, equipped with a copper holder kind of cord which is linked through holes in their center, in or to produce a rhythmic tapping and jingle bell sound when the player taps them together, the  pitch varying according to the size of Manjira, their weight and the particular material of their making, whilethe player making adjustments in the timbre by changing the point of contact while tapping.

Woodenmanjiras are also used, which come with the  frame made of two long,  flat handles that come in contact with  each other equipped with  two short wooden handles, the gap between the long handles having  a wooden separator keeping apart two rows of brass cymbals.

Khartal is another form of Manjira composed of small cymbals fixed into wooden blocks forming the percussion instrument.

Design

The Manjira instrument will generally of different metals such as bronze, brass, bell metal or copper zinc connected with a copper cord holder which is fixed through holes in centre, and the two parts of the instrumentwhen struck togetherproduces rhythmic tingling sounds,  pitch of the sound  changing according to the type of cymbals, in terms of size,  weight, and material of construction, the player of the instrument adjusting the timbre according to the requirement at the time of playing the instrument.

Manjira basically gives a metallic confirming note to the music, with wonderful melody of acceptance and agreement to the tune, because of this nod type of sound it makes, metaphors have developed on its term ‘jalra’ if one is unreasonably accommodative and agreeing to what the other says.

Playing Positions

Manjira occupies  a significant place  in the folk music of Gujarat and Maharashtra regions, while it is called Taal in Maharashtra ,  being played during Aarti rendered to the Deity, with a lamp or Dhoop, whilein these regions Manjira enjoys lot of importance in Bhajan, Dayro and Santvani.

Manjira is also used in  music concerts as  an accompaniment and a very important property for the music team when assisting dance performances such as Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Andhra Natyam, Katha Kali etc, apart from its use by every folk singer.

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