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Khanjira – the frame drum
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The khanjira is a popular percussion instrument in Carnatic concerts. A frame drum – with a membrane mounted on a wooden frame – it belongs to the tambourine family. The circular frame is made from the wood of the jackfruit tree. Between 7 and 9 inches in width and 2 to 4 inches in depth, it is covered on one side with a drumhead traditionally made of the skin of the monitor lizard, while the other side is left open. The frame has a single slit which contains three or four small metal discs – often old coins – that jingle when the khanjira is played.