Ghumot

The ghumot (East Indians: घुमट or ಘುಮೋಟ), gumot or ghumat is a membranophone instrument from Goa, India. Ghumat is a percussion instrument made of earthen vessel with both sides open; on the larger opening a leather (drum membrane) of monitor lizard is mounted. It is often accompanied by 'shamel', another traditional instrument with wooden drum with goat leather mount. This instrument remains popular among East Indian people. In August 2019, Goa declared the ghumot a heritage instrument.^[1]

Ghumot

Ghumot made with monitor lizard skin in Goa
Percussion instrument
Other names	Ghumat, Dakki or Budike

Usage

Vendor with a goat-skin replacement for the 'ghumot' at the Mapusa market, in Goa, in 2017.

Ghumat forms an integral part of Goan folk, religious and temple music, both Hindu and Christian. It serves as an accompaniment to the folk songs and to the mando music. But most importantly it plays a vital role in the music played in Goa during the Ganesh festival. It also used in most of the Goan temples during the spring season in an orchestra called as Suvari Vadan.

Khaprumama Parvatkar was one well known artist of this instrument.

Other states

Performers of gummeta and tanpura in Andhra Pradesh

This percussion instrument is also played to accompany folk songs in some areas of Karnataka.

In Andhra Pradesh, this drum is known as gummeta, and it is played in the storytelling folk tradition.