The kanjira is a relatively new instrument in the Indian percussion world. A small frame made of jackwood covered with monitor lizard, the kanjira is held with one hand and played with the other. To invoke inflections, the pitch of the drum is varied slightly by the holding hand as the playing hand uses a bifurcated method to strike the drum. With a combination of open and closed tones, the instrument is very powerful in its voice.

The masters of the instrument are already world famous.