Many ancient stone statues and other evidences
show that Nepali music was alive even before the Kirant and
the Licchavi dynasties. 7th century inscriptions show the
existence of a well-organized musical team (orchestra) even
during that era. There are many musical instruments most of
which are made with the help of local resources. Nekoo, made
of the horn of a water buffalo, is believed to scare evil
spirits once played. The Panche Baaja is a group of musical
instruments without which no Nepali wedding is said to be
complete. It comprises of five instruments played together,
they are:
- Shehnai: It makes a wailing sound, which is very
moving.
- Nagara or tyamko: It is a single headed round drum
made of animal skin played with two sticks.
- Kar nal: It is curled up and produces a piercing
and powerful sound.
- Damaha: It is a small single-headed drum with a
sharp sound.
- Jhyali
These are a pair of small bars which gives
a tolling sound when played by hitting against one another.
- Dhime: This is a double-headed cylindrical drum
with a big wooden body. Its right side is beaten with a
light cane and the left is beaten with the hand of the player.
It is widely used by the Jyapu s (farmers) of Kathmandu
on festive occasions.
- Nayekhin: It is a small double headed drum with
a sharp sound. It was used to attract public attention to
announce important news.
- Madal: This is the most popular and widely used
drum in Nepal. It is made of leather with a wooden body.
Most Nepali folk songs are accompanied by the playing of
this drum.
- Sarangi: This is a seven stringed musical instrument
produced and played by Gaines (professional folk singers
of Nepal).
- Dholak: This is a double headed drum widely used
in the Terai part of Nepal for public fairs and festivals.
- Mridang: This is a very ancient double headed drum
with a very heavy wooden body. It produces a gentle and
pleasant sound.
- Shahnai or Mridang: It is like a small trumpet
and it makes a wailing sound, which is very moving. It is
used for many religious ceremonies.
- Damphu: This is a double- sided disk shaped drum
topped with leather and with a long wooden handle. It is
played with great zeal with jumping and leaping in the air.
-
Pongah: This is about 6 ft long and is made of
copper with intricate carvings and art-work on it. It is
used mostly by Buddhist monks and is somewhat similar to
a Karnal.
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