The bheri or kettledrum holds a prominent place in Hindu culture, especially within the context of temple worship and rituals. This drum has deep-rooted symbolic, cultural, and spiritual significance, which has evolved over centuries, reflecting the various layers of ancient Indian society. Here’s a more detailed look at its importance, symbolism, and relevance.
Historical Importance
Drums and kettledrums, such as the bheri, have been a part of India’s ritualistic traditions since ancient times. They were associated with both war and peace. During battles, the thunderous sound of the bheri would instill fear in enemies, while in peaceful settings, it became a central instrument for religious and ceremonial purposes.
Symbolism in Hinduism
Invitation to the Divine: In Hindu temples, the sound of the bheri is considered a divine call, summoning deities and the community to participate in important religious festivals and rituals. Its deep resonating sound is believed to carry the sacred vibrations that reach not only the worshippers but also celestial beings, inviting them to descend and bless the occasion.
Purification of Sins: It is said that hearing the sound of the bheri during religious ceremonies purifies one’s mind and soul, dispelling accumulated sins. This purification is extended even to the animal whose hide is used in making the drum, as the sound produced elevates its spirit to heaven, according to ancient Hindu beliefs.
Symbol of Cosmic Energy: The bheri’s booming sound represents the primordial sound or nada, which is believed to be the origin of creation in Hindu cosmology. The rhythmic beating of the drum echoes the concept of shabda brahman, or the sound principle, believed to be the source of all existence. The vibration from the drum symbolizes the pulsation of the cosmos, aligning the participants of the ritual with the cosmic order.
Religious and Ritual Significance
Temple Rituals: In temples, the bheri is played at key moments during daily and special ceremonies. The beating of the drum often accompanies the opening and closing of the temple doors, the performance of the arati (offering of light), and various utsavas (festivals). One of the grandest occasions is the brahmotsava, a multi-day festival in many South Indian temples where the deities are taken in processions, and the festival is formally inaugurated by beating the bheri.
Processions: During religious processions, especially in South Indian temples, the bheri plays a central role in marking the divine journey. The rhythmic beat sets the pace for the procession, creating a spiritual atmosphere while invoking the presence of the divine.
Similar Instruments in Hinduism
The bheri is not the only type of drum used in Hindu rituals; many other drums share similar purposes in creating a spiritual environment:
Damaru: A small hourglass-shaped drum associated with Lord Shiva. It symbolizes the cosmic sound from which the universe originates.
Mridangam: A double-headed drum, widely used in South Indian classical music as well as in temple worship.
Dholak/Dhol: Cylindrical hand drums used in both religious and folk traditions, especially in North India.
Nagara: A large kettledrum often seen in Hindu temples during grand events and processions, producing a deep, resonating sound similar to the bheri.
Lesser-Known Facts
Ritual Creation: The process of creating a bheri is also considered sacred. Often, only specially trained artisans or priests would create these instruments, and the materials used (such as specific types of wood and animal hide) are chosen with strict ritual guidelines.
Connection with Royalty: In ancient India, the bheri was also a drum of royalty. Kings and warriors used it to announce their presence, symbolizing power and divine authority. The sound of the bheri would accompany royal proclamations and military campaigns, believed to strike fear into enemies and motivate the troops.
Role in Yajna (Sacrificial Rituals): During certain yajnas (fire sacrifices), the bheri was played to mark important stages in the ritual. The sound was believed to purify the atmosphere and invoke divine energies.
Modern-Day Relevance
Though technological and cultural shifts have altered the landscape of Indian music and rituals, the bheri still maintains a place of honor in modern Hindu practices. In many temples, particularly in South India, kettledrums like the bheri are still played during festivals and religious events, preserving the ancient tradition.
Cultural Festivals: Today, the use of traditional drums like the bheri is often highlighted during cultural festivals and temple ceremonies. Their sounds are deeply intertwined with regional music and dance forms, such as Kathakali and temple processions in Kerala, which retain the tradition of using kettledrums.
Spiritual Retreats and Gatherings: In contemporary times, spiritual gatherings and retreats may feature the sound of drums and kettledrums to enhance the meditation experience, symbolizing the connection between sound, vibration, and the divine.
The bheri, as a kettledrum, serves as more than just a musical instrument in Hinduism. Its profound significance lies in its ability to bridge the physical and spiritual worlds. As a symbol of divine invitation, cosmic energy, and purification, the sound of the bheri echoes across time, preserving its ancient role while continuing to inspire reverence in modern Hindu culture.