Northern and Western India and Pakistan
Indian

Bronze
Mid 20th century
Diameter:  4 inches
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Concussion – Cymbals

The manjira is a pair of ancient traditional hand cymbals of northern and western India and Pakistan, commonly played to accompany folk singing and Hindu devotional singing, especially bhajans – dedicated songs to an Indian god or goddess. This pair is handmade from brass, with a strip of red cotton cloth passing through the hole in the center of the boss on each cymbal.  Seen here the strips of red cloth are tied together, but when played they are separated and wrapped around the index finger on each hand to help grip one cymbal in each hand.  The manjira produces a soft metallic-like, rhythmic tinkling sound when struck together.  The timbre (tone quality) is varied by the weight and size of these two hand cymbals, as well as the point of contact when played.  Manjira in Tibetan style is known as ting-ting-shags which means small.