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Sri Lankan drums: Pulsating Beat of Centuries-by Dishan Joseph Source:Dailynews Sri Lankan culture is beautifully bestowed with art, music, literature and religious heritage. Music is a universal language that has the mesmerising power to connect people. Sri Lanka has its distinct musical melodies and beats. It is interesting to note that most of the instruments, especially the drums are strongly affiliated with religious ceremonies and rituals, found within Buddhism and Hinduism. The great chronicle Mahavamsa classifies the traditional musical instruments of the island under a system recognised as pancaturya nada (panca means fivefold). I have been told the first two refer to drums: atata (single-headed drums) and vitata (double-headed drums). The connection between the musician and their instrument still remains individualised and pervasively strong, perhaps influenced by decades of drum performing. ...