Openwhyd: The community of music lovers

The ravanahatha is believed by the indigenous Sinhalese ethnic majority to have originated among the Hela civilization of Sri Lanka in the time of King Ravana. (ca. 2500 BC). The bowl is made of a cut coconut shell that is covered with goat hide. A Dandi, made of bamboo, is attached to this shell. The two principle strings are made of steel and horsehair, respectively. The long bow has jingle bells.