Wind drums were ancient ritualistic musical instruments utilized in the past by the Grans. The Grans were a three-eyed, goat-faced species originating from the planet of Kinyen. These drums served a ceremonial purpose during a certain period of the Draggulch Period, coinciding with a spiritual era for the Gran civilization. Baskol Yeesrim, a Gran who represented Malastare in the Senate of the Galactic Republic circa 32 BBY, once presented Palpatine of Naboo with one of these ancient relics. This specific wind drum, shaped like a barrel and adorned with stylized flowery designs, was at least a millennium old at the time of the gift. It was prominently displayed in the reception area of the Nabooian senator's apartment suite on Coruscant, the capital of the Galactic Republic.
The first appearance of a Gran wind drum was in Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, released in 1999 and the first film in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. It served as a background decoration on the set of Palpatine's apartment. Later publications revealed its in-universe history, including The Official Star Wars Fact File, specifically the thirty-second issue, and the 2012 novel titled Darth Plagueis which also referenced the wind drum.