Rajasthan, India
Rajasthans

Clay, goatskin, leather, resin, fiber
Mid 20th century
Height: 7 in, Diameter: 7 in
Membranophones – Struck Membanophones

The term naqqāra comes from the Arabic verb naqr- that means “to strike, beat.”  It is the name/term used for a variety of drums in South Asia and the Middle East. This nagara (nagada) is a traditional Rajasthani folk instrument from India.  It is a single headed drum that is bowl-shaped, made from clay and is coated with a mixture of possibly tree resin.  A goatskin is stretch over the open top, overlapping the rim.  It is secured by an elaborate zigzag network of leather laces that are twisted and run through two rows of eyelets in the skin head and continue down the outside in a crossed lacing pattern that encircles the resonating bowl.  An additional horizontal band of twisted fiber is woven into the laces close to the rim at the top and at the bottom for reinforcement.  The nagara (nagada) is played with a pair of sticks and are sometimes played in pairs.  They are played during important ceremonies, communal dances, and often accompany the shehnai (oboe).