History of Avanaddha Vadyas, Leather Instruments

Avanaddha Vadya are those instruments in which the body of the Musical Instrument would be made up of special clay, wood or metal; barrel shaped with both the sides open in the opposite ends e.g., Mridanga, Pakhawaja, Dholak, Madal etc. either the kettle shaped Musical Drums with only one end opening e.g., Tabla, Bayan, Urdhwaka etc. is covered with best skin with the help of thin and long leather straps to keep the Musical Drum in perfect Tone.

Listed in the category of Avanaddha Vadya the first Instrument born in the history of Musical Leather Instruments is a pet instrument of Lord Shiva ‘Rudra-Damaru’. The Shastras which mention about Damaru are Tripurasura-Rahasya, Shiva-Rahasya, Amarkosha, Sangita-Parijata, Sangita-Makaranda, Shiva-Dhyana, Shiva-Niranjanam, Skandapurana, Sangita-Darpana and Sangita- Ratanakara.

Vaadya Prabheda Damarumaddudimdimajharjaharaha|
Mardalaha Panavo anye cha Nartakitasike Samey||

Means: - Damaru is also counted and classified along with Maddu, Dimdima, Jharjhara, Mardala and Panava.




Dundubhi and Bhumidundubhi used to occupy a very special place during the Vedic age. We can find narrations of Dundubhi in the fifth Mandala 20th and 21st sukta’s in Atharvaveda. It is said that the sound of Dundubhi could take over any strong enemies on the other hand the wives of the enemies would also run away along with their children’s creating panic all over. The Bhumidundubhi was constructed by digging up a big hole in a land and the skin was folded to create tension, this Instrument was played with the tail bone of a Bison. Dundubhi was very popular among the warriors and it was usually played during great wars to cheer the warriors and give them more enthusiasm for war, special festivals, ceremonies, religious rituals. It was also an accompanying Instrument for the ‘Sama Gana’ (Vedic chants of Sama Veda)