The Udekkiya is a traditional Sri Lankan hourglass-shaped drum, approximately 30 centimetres long, carved from hardwood and covered with animal leather on both ends. It is one of fewer than ten surviving drum types from an ancient tradition that once included around 33 distinct forms. The instrument is played with two thin sticks and can produce variable pitches by adjusting tension on the connecting twine.

How old is the Udekkiya drum tradition?

Sri Lanka's drum tradition, of which the Udekkiya is a part, is believed to be approximately 1,500 years old. References to drums of this type appear in classical Sinhala texts such as Pujawaliya and Dalada Siritha, confirming their role in both religious and courtly life for well over a millennium.

What wood is used to make the Udekkiya?

The Udekkiya body is traditionally carved from either suriya or ahala timber — both dense, workable hardwoods native to Sri Lanka. The drum heads are made from monitor lizard or monkey skin, chosen for their tonal clarity and durability when stretched tightly over the apertures.

How does the Udekkiya produce different pitches?

The two drum heads of the Udekkiya are connected by tightly stretched twine running along the body of the instrument. A small piece of bound cloth pressed against this twine increases tension on the drum heads, raising the pitch. Releasing pressure returns the pitch to its resting tone, allowing the player to vary notes while maintaining rhythm.

What are the walayan sticks used for?

Walayan are the two thin playing sticks used to strike the Udekkiya's drum heads. Each stick strikes a different head, allowing the player to alternate between tones. The sticks are used in combination with the pitch-bending twine technique to create the instrument's characteristic rhythmic and melodic patterns.

Where can I see the Udekkiya performed in Sri Lanka?

The Udekkiya is most commonly encountered at traditional ceremonies, temple festivals, and cultural demonstrations around the Kandy region. The Esala Perahera festival, held annually in Kandy, is the largest public event featuring traditional Sri Lankan drumming. Heritage village centres near Sigiriya also include percussion demonstrations.

Can I buy an authentic Udekkiya as a souvenir?

Yes. Lakpura sources handcrafted Udekkiya instruments directly from traditional artisans, primarily based in the Kandy and Sabaragamuwa regions. These are functional instruments made using traditional methods, not decorative replicas. They can be shipped internationally and make a meaningful cultural keepsake.

How many traditional drum types still exist in Sri Lanka?

Of the roughly 33 types of drums documented in classical Sinhala literature, only around ten remain in active use today. The rest survive only as names in ancient texts. The Udekkiya is among the better-preserved surviving forms, still used in ritual and folk performance contexts.

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Udekkiya

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Sri Lanka has been having many types of drums in use from ancient times, and reference to these are found in some of the classical literature e.g. "Pujawaliya", "Thupawansaya", "Dalada Siritha" etc. Although there had been about 33 types of drums, today we find only about ten and the rest are confined only to names. The Sri Lankan Drum Tradition is believed to go as far back as 1500 years.

Udekkiya, this instrument is about 1 foot in length and is shaped like a sand clock. Udakkiya is made by carving either the suriya or ahala timber into two apertures. These apertures are then bound tightly with the leather of the monkey or the iguana and both the sides are connected with tightly stretched twine. Udakkiya is played with two sticks called walayan. The pitch of the sound can be changed by applying pressure on the twine with a bound cloth.