Dhimay Bajaa

Dhimay is the most common musical instruments among the Newars. It is considered as the oldest musical instruments among'st the membranophone (an instrument in which the sound is produced by a stretched membrane, such as a drum). 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 all 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 tuning 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.