Speaker: Gert-Matthias Wegner

This presentation examines the use and meaning of an ancient musical device called dyaḥlhāygu during performance of Newar music.  The literal translation meaning ‚calling the god’, this device has a central function in the cult of the Newar music god Nāsaḥdyaḥ and is used during town rituals to actualize the presence of any god or goddess.  Musicians are taught to apply dyaḥlhāygu as musical offerings.  This has important consequences for the quality of their performance, it may be instrumental, vocal or dance.

Since 1983, the presenter has been initiated into the cult of Nāsaḥdyaḥ in Bhaktapur during a series of musical apprenticeships including almost every genre of Newar music.  As a drummer he performed during Bhaktapur town rituals over decades and trained several groups of local drummers.  

The presentation could interest not only scholars concerned with Newar culture but every performing musician.