The manjïrà (manjeera) is a traditional percussion instrument of Indian Culture. In its simplest form, it is a pair of small hand cymbals. It is also known as manjeera, taal, jalra, khartàl or kartàl, Gini (ଗିନି).
They often accompany folk or devotional music. It is used in various religious ceremonies of India, especially bhajans. The
manjira is an ancient instrument. Pictures of it have been found in temples dating back to the earliest times.
Manjira are usually made of bronze, brass, copper zinc or Bell metal and connected with a copper cord which passes through holes in their center. They produce a rhythmic tinkling sound when struck together. The sound's pitch varies according to their size, weight and the material of their construction. A player can also adjust the timbre by varying the point of contact while playing.
Larger version of majira, Taal.
The manjira can also consist of a wooden frame with two long, straight handles that connect to each other with two short wooden handles; the open space between the long handles has a wooden separator that separates two rows of three brass cymbal. There are also small cymbals fixed into wood blocks forming another type of instrument also known as
Kartal.
They are also use as the istruments to disintegrate the negative energies around you. Basically manjira is played in the aarti of Indian Gods & Goddesses for devotional music.
Manjira in Tibetan style is known as tingsha which is a small for majira. These cymbals used in prayer and rituals by Tibetan Buddhist practitioners. Two cymbals are joined together by a leather strap or cotton string. Manjira is mainly made of brass metal, but antique style cymbals are made from special bronze alloys that produce harmonic overtones. Though Manjira is a small metal instrument, but it produces a sweet tinkling sound when struck together.
