Rajasthan, India
Alwar District Musicians

Gourd, nylon, plastic, goatskin, fiber, paint 
Mid 20th century
Length: 7.5 inches
Chordophones – Musical Bows

The bhapang is a variable tension single stringed instrument that is also known as the ‘talking drum.’  It is used by the folk musicians of Rajasthan, in particular the Mewati community of the Alwar district, and the jogis (Hindu) community.  The bhapang is used both as a solo instrument, as well as an accompanying instrument for bhajans (Hindu devotional songs), poetic songs, and folk songs. Sometimes it is accompanied by the dholak drum and sarinda bowed lute (both found in this collection).  

This bhapang is a single-headed drum that is made from a hallowed gourd shell that has been painted.   A string is feed through the center of the drumhead and is tied to a small stick. To play the bhapang, the drum body is held between the right upper arm and body, while the right hand holding the stick, stretches and relaxes the string, as they pluck the string with the left hand using a plectrum.