Khanjani: A Sneak Peek Into Odisha’s Traditional Musical Instrument

Bhubaneswar: In the plethora of traditional musical instruments of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, Khanjani has a special place. It is handy and procurable for everyone, whether rich or poor. Although small, it adds to the sheen of Odisha’s stunning architecture, history, dialects, vibrant art music, and dance forms, which make it an ever-sprightly state of India.

Odia folk music has its own significance as it gives a pat of tranquillity to the one seeking peace of mind.

And most important are the accompanying musical instruments. It may be dhola, Mardala, Jhanja, Dasakathia, Gini or Khanjani.

Popularly known as Kanjira in Indian music, Odia Khanjani has its own aura in Odia culture.

Odia Bhagabata Tungi is an inseparable part of Odia culture. Any Bhagabat Tungi is incomplete without rhythms of Khanjani played along the Bhajans and Jananas. In any village, evenings reverberate with heartfelt prayers in the form of Khanjani bhajans emanating from temples and Bhagabat Tungis.

Khanjani’s most usage was witnessed in 19th-century saint, poet and philosopher Bhima Bhoi’s Mahima Bhajans.

As a folk and bhajan instrument, it has been used in India for many centuries. Historians say, the Khanjani or Kanjira’s emergence in South Indian Carnatic music, as well as the development of the modern form of the instrument.

Construction & Play

It consists of a circular frame made of 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 made of monitor lizard skin while the other side is left open.

The traditional lizard skin is prohibited worldwide due to protection of species regulations. After playing for a while, the goat skin gets more and more flexible and offers a wider range of possible modulations

Khanjani is a relatively difficult Indian drum to play for reasons including the complexity of the percussion patterns used in Indian music.

It is normally played with the palm and fingers of the right hand, while the left hand supports the drum.

The fingertips of the left hand can be used to bend the pitch by applying pressure near the outer rim. It is not tuned to any particular pitch, unlike the mridangam or the ghatam.

Normally, without tuning, it has a very high-pitched sound. To get a good bass sound, the performer reduces the tension of the drumhead by sprinkling water on the inside of the instrument.

This process may have to be repeated during a concert to maintain a good sound. However, if the instrument is too moist, it will have a dead tone, requiring 5–10 minutes to dry.

The tone is also affected by external temperature and moisture conditions. Performers typically carry a couple of Khanjanies so that they can keep at least one in perfectly tuned condition at any given time.