BALALAIKA.

The history of the balalaika dates back almost three centuries. It is known that by the end of the 18th century it was one of the most loved instruments of the Russian people. But was there a balalaika in Russia before the eighteenth century? How, when and where did it come from? Unknown. Many learned men agree that the balalaika originated from domra, which the Russians adopted from the Eastern tribes, the Asians. For some time domra has become a favorite instrument of wandering musicians-entertainers of buffoons with their everyday, folk-satirical repertoire.
The church was very hostile to the domra, considering all folk instruments, and in particular string instruments, like the "vessel of the devil" and "demonic games." The persecution of folk musical instruments by the church and secular authorities in the middle of the XVII century assumed the character of their mass destruction. This centuries-old struggle led to the fact that by the beginning of the 18th century the domra was completely forgotten. But, at the same time, a balalaika appeared and took a strong place in folk art.
How so? Whence suddenly? In fact, Domra was not abandoned by the people, she just disguised herself under a different name, somewhat modified and simplified. The instrument, which was persecuted by the church and authorities, the cunning people-first changed the name, giving a new, denoting an object for fun and entertainment. Then, since it was necessary to make this musical instrument with household tools and quickly, then for simplification of work the corps began to be made not semicircular like that of domes, but cut off from below, and then completely triangular from simple boards. In addition, the balalaika was moved and the old Russian reception of the game - clanking on the strings with a hand.
Therefore, the instrument became known as "brunka", "balabayka", "balalaika". So from the Asian domra the Russian balalaika turned out. But some scholars attribute the balalaika to another - the Tatar origin. They believe that the balalaika was invented by the Russians themselves during the Tatar domination or was borrowed from the Tatars. The Tatar word "balalar" in translation into Russian means "children". If you attach the typical Russian ending "-k" to it, the word "balalarka" becomes very much like a "balalaika". However, if you agree with this version of the Tatar origin of the instrument, it turns out that the balalaika appeared in Russia not in the XVIII century, but at least 400 years earlier!