Dramyin

The off - nye (also: dranyen, dramyin; Tibetan: sgra snyan; dzongkha: dramnyen ), which means in German as " sweet sounds ", is a traditional lute from the Himalayan region and in particular in Bhutan and the Tibetan music in the use only. It has three to seven strings and is similar in design an Afghan Rubab.

Design and style of play

The instrument is carved from a solid piece of wood. As with Rubab the ceiling of the corpus is divided into two parts. The upper part, which smoothly tapers to the neck, is made of wood, the lower part is covered with an animal skin. The off -ye was used in ancient Tibet, to drive away evil spirits from the animals. From all over Tibet, the people came forth to their animals by Dran- nye players (Only women could be given this gift ) to heal. If discovered this gift early enough and did not promote you, you faded and you could never learn the Dran- nye - play.

When held annually dramnyen cham ( Tibetan sgra snyan? Cham ), one belonging to the Cham mysteries mask dance in Tibetan Buddhism, which otherwise played in folk music instrument is used to accompany religious songs. On some thangkas an off - nye is ready, sometimes it is used as an offering.