''Chimta'' ( pa, ਚਿਮਟਾ ,
Shahmukhī: ) literally means
tongs
Tongs are a type of tool used to grip and lift objects instead of holding them directly with hands. There are many forms of tongs adapted to their specific use.
The first pair of tongs belongs to the Egyptians. Tongs likely started off as b ...
. Over time it has evolved into a traditional
instrument of
South Asia
South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The region consists of the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.;;;;;;;; ...
by the permanent addition of small brass jingles. This instrument is often used in popular Punjabi folk songs,
Bhangra music and the
Sikh
Sikhs ( or ; pa, ਸਿੱਖ, ' ) are people who adhere to Sikhism, Sikhism (Sikhi), a Monotheism, monotheistic religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Gu ...
religious music known as
Gurbani Kirtan.
The player of the chimta is able to produce a chiming sound if he holds the joint of the instrument in one hand and strikes the two sides of the chimta together. The jingles are made of metal and thus it produces a metallic sound and helps to keep up the beat of the song.
In Bhangra music or at weddings it is often combined with
Dhol
Dhol (IPA: ) can refer to any one of a number of similar types of double-headed drum widely used, with regional variations, throughout the Indian subcontinent. Its range of distribution in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan primarily includes nort ...
and Bhangra dancers.
Construction and design
The chimta consists of a long, flat piece of
steel
Steel is an alloy made up of iron with added carbon to improve its strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Many other elements may be present or added. Stainless steels that are corrosion- and oxidation-resistant ty ...
or
iron
Iron () is a chemical element with symbol Fe (from la, ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, right in f ...
that is pointed at both ends, and folded over in the middle. A metal ring is attached near the fold, and there are jingles or rings attached along the sides at regular intervals. Sometimes there are seven pairs of jingles. The rings are plucked in a downward motion to produce tinkling sounds. Chimtas with large rings are used at rural festivals while ones with smaller rings are often used as an accompaniment to Bhangra dancers and singers of traditional Indian hymns.
Notable players
The late
Alam Lohar is famous for playing this instrument and introducing it to global audiences. Today, musicians like
Kamal Heer
Kamal Heer (born Kamaljeet Singh Heer) is an Indian born Canadian musician. He is the younger brother of Manmohan Waris and Sangtar, two other esteemed musicians. His live performances showcase his virtuosity with taan and his command of the art ...
and
Arif Lohar
)
, native_name_lang = ur
, birth_name =
, alias =
, birth_date =
, origin = Punjab, Pakistan
, instrument = Chimta
, genre = Punjabi Folk music
, occupation = Vocalist, musician
, ...
play this instrument. Also known as the "rusty tambourine sword", the chimta has been played by members of the experimental rock band
His Name Is Alive
His Name Is Alive is an American experimental rock band/project from Livonia, Michigan. After several self-released cassettes, they debuted on 4AD Records in 1990, starting a long run at the label. Throughout the band's long history, leader Warre ...
on recent tours.
References
{{Musical instruments of Nepal
Punjabi culture
Indian musical instruments
Bhangra (music)
Punjabi words and phrases
Asian percussion instruments
Folk instruments of Punjab
Pakistani musical instruments