This drum of glass can be played on too

CHENNAI: A drum (Mathalam) made of Belgian glass is the ‘exhibit of the week’ at the Government Museum here.The unique drum was made over five decades ago by M R Balakrishna Naidu. He was an eminent musician who played several musical instruments in the court of the erstwhile Nizam of Hyderabad during the pre-Independence era. Besides being a musician, he had made musical instruments as a hobby. In 1961, the Chennai Museum bought the instrument for Rs 65, a throwaway price now, from Naidu.According to C Maheswaran, curator, anthropology section, the drum was not just a decorative piece, but could be used for concerts too. “In fact, Naidu himself had performed many times on this instrument and it is proof of his mastery over making innovative instruments.”The glass drum is unique as such an instrument had never been made previously in the history of musical instruments of ancient Tamils and tribals. In the traditions of Carnatic and Hindustani music too, none had attempted to make or play on a glass drum before Naidu.The drum measures 21 inches in length and 9 inches in diameter and gives variations in resonance just like a mridangam. The drum will be exhibited in the main building of the museum till January 8. For details, call 28193238.