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 (like also this example) 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 (most often) goatskin drumheads that are secured by wooden hoops laced together with leather strips.
Inside the drum are often a few small items added, that rattle when the drum is struck. Often these are sacred seeds such as rudraksha or bodhi or small coins. Adding these items inside the drum is a traditional part of the activation/enlivening proces.
Most dhyangro drums have a typical wooden handle in the style of a phurba/kila; the three-side ritual dagger, commonly known in diverse spiritual traditions all over Asia. The phurba-shaped handle from this drum here in our shop is handcarved with depictions of the three-sided face of Vajrakilaya at the pommel, a combination of dorje and srivatsa (endless knot symbols in the middle and on the blade (which is held between the jaws of an abstract depiction of the mythical watermonster Makara) there are depictions of naga's, a sacred kalasha vase and sun and moon symbols.
A dhyangro is played by holding the handle of the drum in the left hand, with the frame of the drum level with the face, and striking the outer head with the stick in the right hand. The typical drum beater for a dhyangro is called a 'gajo'; a piece of cane wood, curved in a (single or multiple) S-shape. The sound produced by a dhyangro drum played with a gajo is really different than that of other (shamanic) frame drums; the sound is quite sharp and short (and can be very loud).
This drum has been made quite recently. Both the hides from the drumheads and the wood from the frame have been (partially) darkened with an organic paint, giving it a nice rustique look.
This drum has a diameter of 28 centimeters. Total size including the dhyangro handle is approximately 53 centimeters long. Please note; this drum comes without beater.
