In the iconic figure of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva is shown holding a small Drum in his upper right hand. In some images, the drum is tied to his trishul or trident.
Called Damru, the drum is shaped like an hourglass with two sides separated by a thin neck-like structure that symbolises the two dissimilar states of existence- unmanifest and manifest. These are two drumhwad on each side of the resonator which are usually laced together with cord.
Near the centre of the lacing are two loose knotted cords. These knots on each side strikes both heads to produce a ‘tuk tuk” sound when rattled.
Devotees of Shiva believe that by beating the Damru he produced the very first sound or nada, the cosmic sound of AUM which can be heard during deep meditation. According to Hindu scriptures, nada is the source of creation and perpetuates the universe. Shiva began his dance of creation to the rhythm of the Damru. The top portion of the Damru symbolises the male creativity of procreation – the linga and the lower portion represents the female creativity of procreation – the yoni.
Symbolically, the creation of the world begins when lingam and toni meets at the mid-point of the Damru, the destruction takes place when both separates from each other.
There is also a legend that Shiva passed on the sound made on Damru to his son, Ganesha, who was an expert pakhawaj player. He then added more sound and produced music.
Another interpretation of the sound of the Damru suggests that the drum depicts the power of the rhythm of the heartbeat.
