Key Highlights * The Mandar instrument received a Geographical Indication (GI) certification from the Chennai-based Geographical Indications Registry. * This designation highlights the instrument's unique crafting methodology, ancestral production practices, and deep cultural embedding within tribal and folk traditions of Jharkhand. * As a double-headed percussion device, the Mandar serves diverse functions including festival celebrations, religious rites, agricultural observances, and community gatherings. * Its physical architecture comprises a cylindrical form crafted from red soil, featuring a subtle convexity and two leather-covered apertures of differing dimensions. * Artisanal production relies exclusively on local natural resources, particularly red soil or clay for the primary body structure, distinguishing it from comparable instruments such as the dhol and dholak. Detailed Insights * The Mandar's construction integrates three principal elements: mineral substrate (red soil), organic membrane (leather), and time-honored manual techniques. * Unlike contemporary percussion instruments like the dholak, where both sides typically employ wooden frames, the Mandar uniquely incorporates soil-derived material exclusively on one lateral surface. * Performance practice involves securing the instrument against the performer's torso using flexible ropes prior to rhythmic dancing synchronized with musical cadence. * Legal attribution through GI status confers dual benefits: safeguarding the instrument's geographic origin and elevating the socio-economic standing of regional artisans. * The acoustic signature emerges from the harmonious interaction between the porous soil matrix, protective leather sheathing, and meticulous handcrafted assembly.

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