Nagara

Nagara belongs to the percussion family of musical instruments. They are mostly used in Punjabi and Rajasthani folk music. It is an ancient drum brought in India in the middle ages mostly by Arabs and Persians.

Nagaras were treated as war drums. The loud and thundering beat of the huge drums usually meant that the army was marching into the battle. Before the advent of the cannons the drums were used as well to herald the arrival of the kings and the princess, however nowadays Nagaras are used for all sort of activities.

Nagara is a conical drum played with two sticks. It is a part of orchestra used by folk music player. Just like the dhols nagaras are used largely in the Punjabi folk music called Bhangra. It is the most import musical instrument used in Bhangras.