---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-should-i-check-when-buying-a-kanjira'
title: 'What should I check when buying a kanjira?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T15:16:03+00:00'
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summary: 'Judge a kanjira on its bass response after wetting, its head material and its jingles; goat or synthetic heads are now common.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What should I check when buying a kanjira?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

Because a **[kanjira](/en-int/instrument/kanjira)** has no fixed pitch, players judge each drum on its bass response after wetting, its head material and its jingle response, and serious players keep a spare. Goat skin and synthetic heads are now the common choices. Frames run about 7 to 9 inches across and 2 to 4 inches deep.



 

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## Related pages

 1 page mentions this question

 

 

###  Instruments (1) 

- [   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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