Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month. The exhibit for the month of April, 2022 - “Kindra” - A String Instrument of Pando Community from Village: Sukhari, Tehsil: Ambikapur, District: Surguja, State: Chhattisgarh, is on display in the indoor exhibition building – Veethi Sankul.
The 'exhibit of the month' was inaugurated by Shri Rakesh Kumar Bhatt, Assistant Curator, IGRMS, renowned people present on this occasion. This exhibit of the month had been collected by Smt. Rashmi Shukla, Assistant Keeper and composed by Shri Mohan Lal Goyal, Museum Assistant.
About the exhibit displayed in the exhibition Mohan Lal Goyal, Museum Assistant told that Kindra is an ancient string instrument of Pando tribe of the Chhattisgarh made of bamboo and tooma (dried gourd). It is also known as Kindra or Tambura in Madhya Pradesh and Tambura in Karnataka.
The Kindra prepared by covering tooma with Goh skin (Indian monitor lizard) is held with the left hand and played with a thick iron wire with the right hand. Ghungroos (small metallic bells) are also attached to this wire. The sound of these bells create a wonderful effect when combined with the song.
The sweet sound of tin bhinn bhinn emanates from Kindra. Kindra is played by moving around while dancing or keeping it up right in standing position in the lap. It is also a favorite instrument of Bhajan singers and Pandwani singers.
Structure of the Kindra: The length of the Kindra is about three to four feet. It consists of a long bamboo stick, which is attached to a round tooma (dry gourd). After becoming part of the Kindra, the tooma is known as Tabli. It consists of three strings, which are attached to the nail on the side of the tooma and three separate pegs on the other side. These strings pass over a wooden bridge over the tooma and are tied to their respective pegs at the other end running parallel to the entire bamboo stick. The top part of the kindra is decorated with peacock feathers. Made of bamboo, tooma and Goh skin, this instrument is played while singing hymns and other songs. A rope is attached to the kindra to hang it on the wall or to carry it on the shoulder from one place to another.