The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.243

c11.243

At the back of each a tassel of silk or wood serves for a handle. Colonel Meadows Taylor thus describes their use: “One is held in the left palm secured by a cord passed round the right, and is struck by the other, which is held loosely in the right. Players on these cymbals are extremely dexterous, and produce a not unpleasing accompaniment to the voice or to instrumental music, by striking the cups together in such a manner—outside, inside, and upon the edges—as to form notes in accordance with the voice or the other instruments by which it may be accompanied. This cymbal accompaniment is played with more execution than may be conceived possible from the nature of the instrument.