The Newars are very much rich in traditional, classical and folk
music as in dances. Various music and dance events take place in
different parts of Newar societies on the occasion of different
festivals. In fact, the Newars are so duly intermixed with music and
dances that not a single festival, feast or ceremony, 'from womb to
tomb', passes without a music or music and dances.
Various songs, musical instruments and dances are connected with
various religious, social and cultural life of the Newars Different
musical instruments are in practice in the festival, feasts, ceremonies
and also in funeral procession.
Musical instruments It
is believed that there are about 200 (two hundred) types of original
musical instruments in Nepal, and 108(one hundred eight types) of
musical instruments have been found till now. A great number of Newar
musical instruments are included init. These instruments can be
classified into four classes according to Sangeet Shastra.
Membranophones - Dhimay, Dhah, Paschima, NayaKhin etc.
Idiophones - Bhusyah, Chhusyah, TainNain etc.
Chordophones - Piwancha
Aerophones - Muhali, Nekoo, Bansuri etc.
Mostly
used musical instruments in Newar societies are membranophones, which
are generally accompanied with idiophones and aerophones.
Chordophones
Comparatively there are very few number of chordophones
played by the Newars, the mostly used instruments being membranophones
accompanied with idiophones and aerophones. Following are the chordophones
played by the Newars.
Sarangi
Sarangi is the instrument played by the
"Gandharba" caste. Though sarangi is not played by the Newars and
also it can be taken the common Nepalese Music, Sarangi is an integral part of
Newar music which is played in Newar socities where the Gandharba caste reside.
Sarangi is a four string instrument. These strings are
supposed to made from horse tail. These strings produce C,C and G,G notes.
Piwancha
Piwancha is two or three stringed instrument. It is
especially played by jyapu (Newar farmer)s . The two strings of piwancha
produce C and G notes.
Unfortunately, it has been extinct.
Aerophones
Muhali
Muhali is a conical bore shawm, which is played only by Jugi
(Kusle) caste. Jugis are given Khanki (land) for playing Muhali in various
occasions. There is a tradition to play Muhali everyday in Phalchas ,i.e.
roofed rest places, which tradition is also known as Siwa Yayegu.
Muhali accompanies Dhah, Dapha Khin, Paschima, Nagara and
others. Muhali solo is played in Digu puja.
Bansuri (flute)
Bansuri is a woodwind instrument which accompanies mainly
Paschima, Dapha Khin or Koncha Khin. Basuri are of three kinds: Ghor, Majhawala
and Teep, producing low, middle and high tones.
Baya
Baya resembles Bansuri but they are different in
construction and playing techniques. Baya accompanies mainly Koncha Khin.
Koncha Khin and Baya are played in marriage procession.
Ponga
Also known as Payantah, Ponga is a long wind instrument made
of brass. Pongas are made by Tamoh or Tamrakar (Newar Coppersmith). It
accompanies Kwatah Khin and it is also played in Bhailah Pyakhan (Bhairab
Dance). [Audio]
Kaha
Kaha resembles Ponga. It is also known as Indra Baja and it
is believed to be invented at the time of Manju Shree. It is played with Naya
Khin In many festivals nd also playd in funeral processions. There is a typical
caste, called Kabuja, who play Kaha.
Nekoo
Nekoo or horn instrument is the oldest form of musical
instruments in the globe. It is played during Gunla month. There are various
types of Nekoo, Chatti Nekoo, Thika Nekoo, for instance.
Sankha
Sankha or konch is an ancient instrument. Playing of Sankha
indicates starting of any new work. Sankha is played in 'MahGhah Wonegu' in
dec-jan month. It is also played in different worships.
Idiophones
Tah
The word 'Tah' comes from ' Tala ' which is derived from
'Tandava' and 'Lasya'. Tah controls Tandava and Lasya of Music. It controls
whole rythm of music. Tah is considered as the principle musical instruments
among all Newar musical instruments. Tah, apair os thicker cymbal, is made of
Asta Dhatu (an alloy of eight holy metals). It accompanies Dhah, Dapha Khin,
Paschima, Koncha Khin, Naya Khin (when played as Gunla Bajab) and others.
Baboocha
It is thinner than Tah, however, it is bigger in size. It is
also made of Asta Dhatu. It accompanies Dapha Khin, Pachima, Koncha Khin,
Dholak and others.
Bhusyah
Bhusyah is a large pair of cymbals that accompanies mainly
dhimay and dhah. This cymbal is thinner in compare to Tah and Baboocha.
Chhusyah
Also known as Sichhya, Chhusyah resembles Baboocha but is
bigger in size. It accompanies Naya Khin, Nagara and others.
TainNain
TainNain is a gong, it is played by striking with a stick.
It accompanies Dhimay.
TiniMuni
It is a percussion instrument consisting of a steel rod bent
in the shape rod a triangle. It is played by striking with another steel rod.
It is played in Dhalcha Bhajans.
Gan
Gan or a bell play a vital role in ceremonial worships such
as Shradh, Janko, Ihi and so on. There are various types of bells in practice:
Big,
Membranophones
Dhimay
Dhimay is the most common musical instruments amongst the
Newars. It is considered as the oldest musical instruments amongst the
membranophones. Even though there is no evidence that Mahadeva invented this
instruments (as legend says) but there is evidence to support that it dates
back to Kirat period. It resembles the Chyabrung of Kirat Rais and Dhola of
Tharus. Dhimay is played in almost al ceremonial marches by the Jyapus. They
are fund lost in dancing with deep rumble of Dhimay in festivals.
Dhimay is constructed from cylindrical hollowed tree trunk
with leather pads at both of its ends. Nowadays, Dhimays are frequently made of
brass and other metals. the general size of Dhimay is 20" in length and
16" in diameter .Its left hand hide which sounds much higher is known as
Nasah, whilst another hide is called Mankah or Haima. Mankah carries a tunning
paste inside. Dhimays are of two kinds: bigger Ma Dhimay and smaller Dhahcha
Dhimay or Yalaypoh Dhimay. Dhimay has capacity to produce a multiple
reverberating echo, which is its main feature. Dhimay is accompanied with
Bhusyah (a pair of cymbals). Chhusyah and TainNain is also played in some
places.
Dhah
Gunla ( a month according to Nepal Era ) is taken as
Buddhist holy month. As Dhah is played during Gunla it is also termed as 'Gunla
Bajan'.It looks similar to Dhimay but is Slightly smaller than Dhimay.
Dhah is constructed from cylindrical hollowed tree trunk
slightly smaller than that of Dhimay. Tuning paste is stuck at the inner side
of Mankah. Tuning paste is made of castor seeds, mustard oils etc.
Besides in the Gunla month, Dhah is also practiced in
different dances and other different festivities. Dhah is accompanied with
Bhusyah (pair of cymbals), Tah (smaller cymbals), Muhali (clarinet/trumpets) or
Bansuri (flute ). Ponga is also played in Bhairab dance of Thimi.
Paschima
Myth says, Paschima was invented by lord Krishna.
This instrument is also known as Mridanga. It is a double headed drum with
tuning paste in on hide (Nasah) and dough made of wheat flour is plastered in
the other hide (Mankah) before playing.
Paschima is accompanied with Baboocha (thinner cymbals), Tah
(thicker cymbal), Muhali (shwam) or Bansuri (flute).
Nayakhin
It is another musical instrument used in many rituals. This
instruments is mainly played by the Khadgis, however, this instrument is also
played by other castes. It is also called as 'NayaKhin' or 'Dyah Khin'. Since
it is also played in funeral processions it is also known as 'Seeh Bajan'
(funeral drum). Long long ago, there was a tradition to play fanfare on
NayaKhin to proclaim the news. In the Malla period, proclaiming by beating of
NayaKhin was widely spread.
The NayaKhin looks similar to Dhah but it is smaller. It is
constructed from hollowed tree trunk of an average size of 14" length and
7" diameter.
NayaKhin is played by producing a rubbing vibrato in Mankah
hide. Whilst playing as the 'Seeh bajan ', NayaKhin is accompanied with
Chhusyah and Kaha. Similarly, whilst playing as the 'Gunla bajan' Tah is also
played and instead of Kaha, Muhali is played.
DapaKhin
DapaKhin has various names: Yakah Khin, Joh khin, Lala Khin,
Deshi Khin, for instance. It is double headed drum with tuning paste in both
hides. Dapa Khin is mainly played in Dapa Bhajans (traditional hymns). If a
single Khin is played it is called Yakah Khin and if two Khins are played, they
are called as 'Joh Khin'.
Dapa Khin is accompanied with Tah, Baboo and Bansuri (flute)
or Muhali (Shwam).
Koncha Khin
Koncha Khin is single headed drum resembling Tabla. It is
also termed as 'Khicha Khwah Khin' as it is said that dogs start to cry when
Koncha Khin is played. Koncha Khin is mainly played in marriage processions and
accompanied with baboo, Tah and Baya or Muhali.
Pastah Khin
Also known as Kwatah Khin, Pasta Khin is a combination of
Dapha Khin and NayaKhin. Ancient stone images of people playing Pastah Khin
signifies its use since ancient time. Pastah Khin is an important instrument in
Bajrayan sect of Buddhism. Pastah Khin is accompanied with Ponga and Tah.
Nagara
Nagara is a kettle drum played with two sticks. This
instrument has been described in purans as Dundubhi, Dundhu, Dundhub, Bheri,
Adamber etc. It is often played in pair, known as Joh Nagara. Nagara is also
played in Panchai Baja as Damaha. It is too played in Mahakali Dance.It is
accompanied with Chhusyah and Muhali.
Dholak
Dholak resembles Dhah in structure and its playing
techniques are similar to that of Paschima. Dholak is played in Dhalcha Bhajans
and also accompanies Bansuri.
KantanDabDab
Also known as Damaru, it is a small two headed drum with
straps. It is the instrument played by lord Shiva. KantanDabDab is especially
played during Mohani Festival.
Magah Khin
This two headed drum with tuning paste at both ends belongs
to magar community, however it has become an important part in Newar folk
music. It is said that there are fifty four talas of Magah Khin. It is commonly
known as Madal.
Daha
Daha, or a tambourine is a percussion instrument played in
Bansuri Bajan or Khin Bajan. It is also used whilst singing songs and in
Bhajans.
Dhangro
Though it is not a Newar instrument it has become an
integral part in many rituals. Dhyangro is basically played by Jhankris(Witch
Doctors) or Kirats.
