COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NEWAR DRUMMING: CASE STUDY DHIMAYBAJA; Origin, Similarities, and Differences.

During the heydays of Malla rule (12th to 18th centuries), the three rival kingdoms of the Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur shared a vibrant culture that evolved by exchange and intense competition. Concepts and ideas were eagerly copied and incorporated among the cousin Malla kings after something new came up or discovered. This is obvious when looking at Newar architecture and other forms of visual art. Being a student and musician I always wanted to know more about similarities and differences in music and music practice of ancient Newars in these three rival kingdoms and other small settlements.

Dhimaybājā being a case study I will illustrate the similarities and differences of local Newar drumming traditions of the Kathmandu valley. Another motive of this study is also to trace the origin of newar music culture.

The methodological foundation of this study is first performance training and participant observation in both dhimaybājā tradition of Bhaktapur (with Bishnu Bahadur Manandhar), and Kathmandu (with Likesh Maharjan), and second taking part in different rituals, processions, festivals and observing occasional events. Beside these I have learned, Navabājā of Bhaktapur (with Late. Hari Govinda Ranjitkar Guruju), naykhi bājā (with Gert-Matthias Wegner), and Daphakhi of Patan (with Pradhumna K. Shrestha and Sijan Maharjan). Sijan also taught me dhimaybājā of Patan.

These information are based on my Kathmandu University (KU) Department of Music M.A. thesis.
© Kathmandu University Department of Music.
Republishing above information in any form without the consent of the author and KU is strictly prohibited.
If a music student is using this content in any paper and other forms of work (Educational Purpose only), they should mention the title of this video and name of my thesis on their work.

Literature reviews.
1. The Dhimaybaja of Bhaktapur: Studies in Newar Drumming I by Gert-Matthias Wegner. 1986.
2. Nutan Dhar Sharma and Gert-Matthias Wegner 1995, The Baja Guthi of Badikhel (Kathmandu Valley).
3. Abhaya Krishna Shrestha September 2014, Dhimaybaja of the Newar Farmers: Processional Drumming in the Kathmandu Valley.


Video Link:    / @musicdiariesnepal6547  

Content:
00:00 Introduction
01:45 Instrument, playing technique and analysis
05:50 Cymbals, playing technique and analysis
10:04 Compositions, analysis and a/v examples
22:08 Conclusion
23:56 Other Drumming Traditions
24:34 Bonus

I used Zoom H4 Recorder for audio recordings and Sj 4000 for video.

Special Thanks to:
Guruji Prof. Dr. Gert-Matthias Wegner, Raju Haunmikha, Sabin Maharjan, Likesh Maharjan, Nhubaha Tvah, Naresh Prajapati, Ajar Krishna Shrestha, Kathmandu University Department of Music.

Glossary:
Bā / bāhā: community courtyard
Bājā: instrument or ensemble
Dhimay: barrel or cylindrical newar percussion instrument
dhaḥlhāygu: invocation piece to the god
gau / gu: composition which interrupts the standard patterns
Mā: mother or main
nāsaḥ: charm
nāsaḥdyaḥ: god of music and dance
nhyāḥ: introductory composition
tvāh: locality

Do like, share this video if you found it interesting and subscribe this channel for future updates
Thanks for watching ...

#musicallandscapeofnepal, #musicofnepal, #musicdiariesnepal