Dollu: India musical instrument

Dollu is a membranophone that originated from India. The head of the musical instrument is either manufactured of sheep skin or goat skin and is fit firmly to a frame that is made of hone or mango tree wood. The musical instrument is large and heavy. When the instrument is struck, it produces a tremendous sound. The musical instrument is used in the Dollu Kunitha, a dance and art form that is prevalent with the Kuruba Gowdas of Beershwara Sampradaya.

source of picture: sudeepaudio.com

A story traces the origin of the musical instrument to the celestial couple Shiva and Parvathi. To pass time, Parvathi and Shiva played games and laid a bet while playing the game. Whichever one of them that lost the bet was to leave Kailasa to live secretly on earth. Shiva lost the bet and relocated into a cave, taking the appearance of stone. Mayamurthi, Shiva’s ardent loyal guidance, guarded the cave. Over time Parvathi became tired of managing the earth and decided to send Vayu in search of Shiva, but it is in vain. Narada located the cave where Shiva was and killed Mayamurthi and forced Shiva to return to Kailasa. Shiva, who was unwilling to leave behind the dead body of his most trusted beloved guard, decided to produce a dollu out of the dead body of guard and carried it to Kailasa. For the reason of the instrument’s origins, the musical instrument is a popular musical instrument among Shaivites.