Materials
wooden mallets
ICH Materials 7
Publications(Article)
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BamarThe harp is one of the earliest musical instruments of the world. World musicologists believe that the Harp was a musical instrument used by ancient man who hunted with bows and arrows. Harps now being used by people of the contemporary world fall into two types the bow shaped type and the trangle shape type. Of the two the bow shaped harps are said to be the earlier type.\nIn Myanmar, ancient chronicles say that harps were being played as early as in the Pyu Period. In February of 802 A.D. Sri Khettra despatched a Pyumusic and dance ensemble to Chan-ann the city of the Tang Dynasity of China. Tang Dynasty chronicles say that the Pyumusicians had with them two harps with pheasant’s head shapes, two harps with corcodile’s head shapes, one flat harp in the shape of a dragon’s head, one flat harp in the shape of rain clouds, two flat harps of big gourds, one flat gourd-harp with a single string and one small flat gourd-harp. \nAmong rock relief sculptures found on the walls of the Ananda pagoda built by king Kyansittha in A.D 1084- 1113 is a harp which indicates that the harp was in general use in those days. \nSome historical researchers say that Myanmar harp began with 7 strings and is used 13 strings until the down of Konbaung period. And then the harpist U Nyein added one more string in the late of Konbaung period and the harpist U Ba Than added two more strings in the year of 1960s. So Myanmar harp has played with16 strings from that time to now. \nMyanmar harp strings are strung and fastened to the arm of the harp by means of fastening cords or by means of pegs pushed through the arm it is called Let yone. In the old days, fastening cords were tied to the arm in a special kind of knot to prevent the cords slowly slipping down. The present way of making such a knot is of a reef-knot method. \nThe strings of the harp are raw silk twisted to different thicknesses. They are tuned not with pegs but by adjusting the tautness of the strings through loosening or tightening the tassels round the neck. \nThe part where the neck joins the sound box is shaped like a leaf of the saga: (champac) while the stern is shaped like bowl. The tip of the nek is shaped like the leaf of the banyan tree. The neck is made of sha: (acaciacatechu) wood. The sound box is covered with a membrane of deer skin. \nHoles are perforated along the ridge to hold the ends of the strings. The intervals between the holes need to be of correct proportion, otherwise, the harp tends to be out of tune and also lacks proper form. \nHence, the ridge is a critical component of the harp. Today Myanmar harp is being used not merely as musical instruments they are also being used as artifacts to decorate the top room of dwellings. This is being done by way of honouring a musical instrument that has played an important role in development of Myanmar Culture. More sophisticated musical gaegets may emerge time passes, but the harp will ever remain as a heritage of Myanmar musical traditions.Year2014NationMyanmar
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MonVat-gine or crescent-shaped gong is one of the Mon traditional musical instruments that has been used since the ancient time. The original crescent-shaped gong was consisted of 14 gongs and used to be played only in Nat (Spirit) propitiation ceremony. But, an additional gong tuned to Nga Pauk (Fifth Note) is added to play since the late 1962. This crescent-shaped gong is played in Mon national celebrations, Hin-tha dance, solo dance performance, Mon traditional dance and national ceremonies such as Union Day and Mon National day.Year2014NationMyanmar
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Wooden Blocks of Pethapur"Block printing is a technique to create patterns on fabric using blocks. Ink is applied to the wooden or brass block, which is then pressed onto the fabric by hand to impart the design. These blocks are customized and carved intricately, and can be used to print a design of between one and six colors. Block making has been practiced in India for the last 300 years. Pethapur, about 33 km from Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, is home to a community of artisans who have been involved in making wooden blocks for years. Blocks from Pethapur are considered to be the best and earned the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag No. 585 in 2017. I had the pleasure of visiting with Satish Prajapati, a skilled craftsman in Pethapur, when he shared the history and process of block making with me."Year2021NationIndia