Geta Bera [ Kandian Traditional Drum]

 The Kandyan traditional drum is also known as Geta Beraya or Udarata Beraya in Sinhalese. It is a hill country drum named as such because of its barrel-like shape.  The geta beraya is sometimes called the wedding drum. The width on the center of the drum is wider than its sides. The trunk of the drum is made from asala, kohomba or kos timber, while the drumheads on both ends are each made from different skins producing different pitches: Cow hide – lower pitch, and goat hide – higher pitch.  The two drumheads are bound with warapata, a rope like fastening made from cow hide.  The geta beraya is played with the hands.

The history of drums used in Sri Lanka dates to 2,500 years ago.  The geta beraya were traditionally used with other instruments in ritualistic dances such as the Kandyan tradition, dances traditionally performed only by men dancers.