The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.234

c11.234

TAMBOURINES and tabors of all kinds are found throughout India, but are rarely used by professional musicians. The largest instrument of this kind is called Duff, or Duffde, and is an octagon frame of wood about 6 inches deep and 3 feet in diameter, covered upon one side with skin strained by means of a network of thin leather thongs. The Duff is struck with the fingers of the right hand; and a thin switch held perpendicularly over it by the fingers of the left is made to strike the instrument with the middle finger at certain intervals according to the tâla. The Daera is circular and not more than 11 or 12 inches in diameter. It is played with the right hand in a similar manner to the duff. The thumb of the left hand is thrust into a loop in the underside of the Daera. This forms a sort of rest for the left hand a little above the centre of the instrument, so that the knuckle of the middle finger can be pressed against the skin when a rise in the tone is desired. In the Southern provinces a large circular instrument of this kind, called Thambatté, is found; this varies from 3 to 4 feet in diameter. The Thambatté is played in a similar manner to the duff, and is commonly employed by the lowest castes, and usually associated with the Kahalay or Kombu, a horn similar to the s'ringa shown in Plate XVII.