The dhyangro is a style of frame drum very typical for the traditional shamans ('jhakri') of Nepal and India, especially in the Tamang, Magar and Kirati tribe. Sometimes it is also used by Tibetan Buddhist ceremonial musicians.
Most dhyangro drums are double-headed; they can be played on two sides. Often these sides are referred to as a male and female side. A double-headed dhyangro drum consists of a wooden shell frame with goatskin drumheads that are secured by wooden hoops laced together with leather strips.
With most dhyangro drums, this drum frame has been attached to a very typical wooden handle in the style of a phurba/kila; the three-side ritual dagger, commonly known in diverse spiritual traditions all over Asia. These handles are often made by a specialized master-woodcarver, and then the drum is made on it by the shaman himself.
Over time, with overseas travelling salespeople and collectors, some of these drum handles have found their way into the west as collectibles in itself.
The dhyangro drum handle here in our shop is handcarved with depictions of the three-sided face of Vajrakila, some shrivatsa (endless knot) variations and snakes and the watermonster Makara on the three-sided blade.
On the wood, the remnants of an export seal from the Nepalese Bureau of Cultural Relics can be seen, indicating the authenticity and heritage of this item. This seal was put on in the 1970's and states that the object was (at that time) 'less than a hundred years old'. This drum handle is estimated to be made somewhere around 1900. So today, it will be well over a hundred years old.
Total length is approximately 50 cm. Weight is 243 grams.
Unique item, only one available.
