Naqqara: India musical instrument

The naqqara is a drum that has rounded back and a hide head and is usually played in pairs. It is a membranophone of the kettle drum variety. The word naqqara also called naqqarat, naqqarah and many more is believed to have come from the Arabic verb ‘naqr’ which means “to strike or to beat.”  

source of picture: metmuseum.org

  

The rounded part of the instrument is produced from baked clay while the flat side is produced of a treated skin that is fastened around the rim with string which is tightened over the back of the bowl. The percussion instrument is usually played in pairs; one naqqara will produce a low pitch beat that is known as the ‘nar’ while the other naqqara will produce the high pitch beats. A short stick that is bent outward is used in playing the instrument.

The word naqqara was used to refer to small sized versions of the ancient Iranian Kus after the conquest of Iran. Many poets have talked about the naqqara in their works including the Persian mystic poet called Rumi. In Iran, the naqqare can be found in different sizes in many regions of the country. Naqqara are as well found in India where it is called nagara, Azerbaijan, Egypt, turkey, Uzbekistan, Europe and Georgia.