This groundbreaking publication offers a unique resource of information about one
of the most glorious and diverse musical cultures of the Himalayas. The numerous
drum traditions of Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley are a vibrant aspect of
traditional Newar culture that saw its heyday between the thirteenth and eighteenth
centuries. The three Malla kingdoms of Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu competed in
art, architecture, music, dance and opulent town rituals celebrating the presence of
the gods. Music served as a portal between the human world and the realm of the
gods. This study documents the role and repertoires of the different percussion
genres in a transcribed and commented form for practical use and as a teaching aid.
It also includes a dictionary of Newari terms related to music. As it focuses on the
musical life of Bhaktapur during the decade starting from 1983, it could serve as a
point of reference for comparison with the present situation. This publication is an
outstanding contribution to the preservation of Newar culture. DE