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Sri Lanka - Geta Beraya and Udekkiya players
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Sri Lanka - Geta Beraya and Udekkiya players
Traditional Sri Lankna drums and drummers. The standing player is holding a hill country drum called the Geta Beraya (a drum with a knot). This is the main drum used to accompany dance sequences in all Kandyan rituals. The right face is covered with the hide of a monkey or monitor lizard and the left side is covered with cattle hide, which is used to provide a finer sound. The seated player is holding a Udekkiya, a very handy drum predominantly used during Kandyan rituals and folk dances. It is played with one hand while handling and controlling the sound by pressure applied on the string and Sawarama with the other. Date: circa 1908
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Media ID 14254992
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Ceylon Dances Drum Drummer Drummers Drums Folk Geta Knot Lankan Pair Percussion Percussionist Players Ritual Rituals String Kandyan
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This photograph, taken circa 1908, showcases two traditional Sri Lankan drummers, expertly playing the Geta Beraya and Udekkiya drums during a Kandyan ritual or folk dance performance. The standing drummer holds the iconic Geta Beraya, a drum with a unique design that sets it apart from other traditional Sri Lankan drums. The drum's body is made from a hollowed-out jackwood log, with the main head covered in monkey or monitor lizard hide on the right face and cattle hide on the left. The knotted handle on the top of the drum is a distinctive feature, which adds to the drum's aesthetic appeal and helps in playing intricate rhythmic patterns. The seated drummer skillfully plays the Udekkiya, a smaller, more versatile drum used predominantly during Kandyan rituals and folk dances. The drum is played with one hand while the other hand manipulates a string attached to the drumhead, known as Sawarama, to control the pitch and tone of the drum. The Udekkiya's compact size and adaptability make it an essential companion to the larger Geta Beraya, creating a harmonious blend of sounds that bring traditional Sri Lankan music and dance to life.
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