''Chimta'' ( pa, ਚਿਮਟਾ , Shahmukhī: ) literally means tongs. 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 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-resistan ...

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 ...

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 Alam Lohar ( pa, ) was a prominent Pakistani Punjabi folk music singer. He is credited with creating and popularising the musical term Jugni. Early life and career Alam Lohar was born in 1928 in Achh, near Kotla Arab Ali Khan, Gujrat Tehsil ...

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 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 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