---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-does-the-kanjira-do-in-a-carnatic-concert'
title: 'What does the kanjira do in a Carnatic concert?'
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  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/user/0f961cccc99524ed'
date: '2026-10-19T15:16:12+00:00'
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summary: 'The kanjira supports the mridangam in Carnatic concerts, often alongside or in place of the ghatam and morsing.'
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# What does the kanjira do in a Carnatic concert?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 The **[kanjira](/instrument/kanjira)** is a supporting percussion instrument, an upapakkavadyam, to the mridangam in Carnatic concerts, often alongside or in place of the ghatam and morsing. It began appearing on classical stages from the late 19th to the early 20th century, after being thought unsuited to classical music because of its high pitch. It also serves folk and bhajan music.



 

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- [   Kanjira The kanjira is the South Indian frame drum of Carnatic music, played beside the mridangam: a wooden frame with metal jingles and a lizard-skin or goat-skin…     ](/en-int/instrument/kanjira)
 
  

 

 

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