The khol is a terracotta drum with two sides used in northern and eastern India to support devotional music called bhakti. It is also known as a mridanga (from Sanskrit words meaning "clay limb"), and it should not be confused with a similar instrument called mridangam. The khol comes from the Indian states of Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Manipur. Musicians play the drum using the palms and fingers of both hands.

Description

The khol is similar in shape to the ancient gopuchha drums described in the Natya Shastra. The right side of the drum creates a high-pitched, metallic sound, while the left side produces a lower, deeper sound. The larger side of the drum can be adjusted based on humidity. On a humid day, the larger side becomes looser, causing it to vibrate more and create a lower sound. On a dry day, the larger side tightens, resulting in a higher-pitched sound. When players believe the drum does not make a low enough sound, they add water to it. They place a small amount of water on their finger and apply it to the edge of the larger side. They may let the water sit for a few minutes or use their palm to stretch the surface manually.

Construction

The khol is a drum with a hollow body made of clay. It has drumheads on both ends, with one drumhead much smaller than the other. The drumheads are made from cow or goat skin and have three layers. They are coated with a circle made of rice paste, glue, and iron called syahi. Some modern versions of the khol use a fibreglass body and man-made drumheads instead.

History

There are many different stories about where Khol originated. Several types of Khol are found in northeastern India. Khol from Odisha, Manipur, Bengal, and Assam are commonly found in various forms. A wooden Khol was changed into a terracotta version by Sankardev, an Assamese polymath.

Use

The khol is an important instrument in the Ek Saran Naam Dharma culture of Assam. It is used in bhaona (plays), gayan-bayan (musical performances), prasanga-kirtan (storytelling songs), and borgeet (lyrical songs). Sankardeva, an Assamese scholar, helped develop the gayan-bayan tradition by using the khol and taal (another instrument). Assamese Neo-Vaishnavites believe playing the khol is a sacred activity. It is also one of the most important traditional drums in Assam and is used to support Sattriya performances.

The khol is played in every Vishnu (Jagannath, Radha Krishna) temple in Odisha during arati (ritual worship) ceremonies. It accompanies Odia and Bengali kirtans (devotional songs) created by medieval poets like Chandidas, Govindadasa, and Gyanadas. The drum is also used in Gaudiya Nritya, one of nine Indian classical dances recognized by the Ministry of Culture, though it is not recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi.

In the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, also known as "Hare Krishnas") and Gaudiya Vaishnava communities, the khol is the main drum used for bhajan (devotional songs) and kirtan (group singing).