Bhortal. Pair of large cymbals. Made of brass. Made in Sarthe Bari, Kamrup, Assam.
When played in the satras, the Vaishnava monasteries of Assam, one cymbal is held in each hand using the jute string. The cymbals are held horizontally. The right cymbal is clashed down on the left, which is moved in a circular way to create the required sound. They are used in performances of ritual music in the namghar, the prayer hall of the monastery, notably in hiranam (devotional singing), whilst a counter rhythm is clapped by the Bhakats, monks who devote their lives to the god Vishnu.
