Dhimay, Dhimaya () or Dhime is a traditional Nepalese drum of the

Newar people Newar (; , endonym: Newa; , Pracalit script: ), or Nepami, are primarily inhabitants in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal and its surrounding areas, and the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation. Page 15. Newars are a distinct linguistic ...

. According to the

Hornbostel–Sachs Hornbostel–Sachs or Sachs–Hornbostel is a system of musical instrument classification devised by Erich Moritz von Hornbostel and Curt Sachs, first published in the in 1914. An English translation was published in the '' Galpin Society Journ ...

classification, it belongs to the category of double-headed cylindrical

membranophone A membranophone is any musical instrument which produces sound primarily by way of a acoustic membrane, vibrating stretched membrane. It is one of the four main divisions of instruments in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument ...

Description

The drum is rather big compared to other drums played by the Newars in Nepal. The size of this instrument varies from diameter of 40 inches to 51 inches and length of 17 inches to 21 inches. The shell of the drum is made of wood or metal. Sometimes wooden drums are partly covered with metal foil. The shape of old Dhimay drums is mostly irregular, formed by the natural shape of the piece of wood being used to make the drum body. Modern drums are either cylindrical or slightly barrel-shaped. Both heads are made of goat skin. On the inside of the left membrane, called Mankhah (Haima in Bhaktapur) a red tuning paste (similar in function to the

Syahi Syahi (also known as gaab, ank, satham or karanai) is the Musical tuning, tuning paste applied to the head of many South Asian percussion instruments like the dholki, Jori (instrument), jori, tabla, madal, mridangam, khol and pakhavaj. Overv ...

) is applicated, providing a deep sound. There are two kinds of dhimay. The smaller ones are called "Dhaacha Dhimay" and bigger dhimay are called "Ma Dhimay"

Playing technique

The left side (''Mankhah'') is played directly by hand playing either at the upper part of the membrane (ghe), producing a long resonating sound, or a downward stroke (kha), producing a sharp crisp sound. The right membrane, called ''Nasah'', is played with a thin stick, made of cane, which is normally curved at one end. In addition to this three basic strokes a fourth type of stroke (''dha'') is played, combining the low resonating sound of the left hand i.e. on upper part and the stroke of the right hand.

History

According to local legends, the instrument is believed to be invented by Mahadev. The drum has been played since the Kirata kingdom. The drum is played mostly by Jyapu community; the Jyapu community is the Newars whose occupation is farming. However, other castes also play it as Nepal is developing into a unified nation where all castes can play any cultural instruments.

Performance

In traditional context Dhimay is played together with other instruments, mostly

idiophones An idiophone is any musical instrument that creates sound primarily by the vibration of the instrument itself, without the use of air flow (as with aerophones), strings (chordophones), membranes (membranophones) or electricity ( electrophone ...

of different types, depending on the local tradition. In Dhimay-ensembles, called Dhimaybaja, the drum is accompanied by

cymbals A cymbal is a common percussion instrument. Often used in pairs, cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sou ...

like Bhuchhyay, Sichhyay, and sometimes by Tai-nai, a gong-like instrument. At special occasions even the shawm musicians of the Kapali (hon.) or Jugi (coll.), a caste of tailors and professional musicians, may be called. The Dhimay is also played in the Buddhist Navabaja (or Naubaja)-Ensembles. Recently, with musicians looking for new ways to develop popular music with its roots in traditional music, the Dhimay is played as a sort of bass drum, accompanying western instruments like guitar.

Occasions

The Dhimay is played at major religious festivals and rituals (Jatra, Puja): * Janabahaadya chariot festival * Bunga Dyah Jatra chariot festival *

Indra Jatra Indra Jātrā, also known as Yenyā Punhi is the biggest religious street festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. "Ye" means the old Newar people, Newari name for "Kathmandu", "Ya" means “Celebration”, and "Puhni" means full moon so together means the ...

* New year of Nepal Sambat (Bhintuna) * Bisket Jatra * Pujas for deities like

Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...

Ganesha Ganesha or Ganesh (, , ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped Deva (Hinduism), deities in the Hindu deities, Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in the Ganapatya sect. His depictions ...

*Paha Chare *Gun Punhi (Gai jatra) * Gunla (month in Nepal sambat: it occurs just before Yela) *Yela (month in Nepal sambat: it starts from Aunshi to Ghatsthapana) It is played at family festivities and life-cycle rituals: * Janko * Kaeta puja Dhimay is also played at inaugurations, rallies, receptions, cultural shows and competitions.

References

{{Newar Newar Drums Battle drums Music of Nepal Drums of Nepal