Posted by: zingkira November 27, 2006
World's Biggest Drum - Nepali Style
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Nepal Celebrates With Style Umesh Shrestha (Salokya) Nepal is celebrating after the historic peace accord between the government and rebel Maoists that ends 11 years of civil war. Different programs were held across the country including rallies. Friday's programme in the capital Kathmandu was a continuation of the celebrations, but it had significant value. A gigantic drum, dubbed the world peace drum, was beaten to send peace messages across the world. Thousands of spectators enjoyed the beating with the hope that peace will prevail in this land forever. Organizers claimed this drum as world's largest drum. According to Japanese drummer Hiromi Ishioka, coordinator of the world peace drum construction, the Guinness Book of World Records has recognized him as the maker of the world's largest drum. In a press conference held some five months ago in Kathmandu, he claimed that he will break his own record by making another super large drum. The drum was made with financial support of various Japanese and Nepali non-governmental organizations such as Akafujidaikp (Japan), Private School Association (Nepal), Rotary Club of Kasthamandap (Nepal) and Folk Nepal. While his earlier creation measured 4.8 meters in diameter, the new drum that was displayed and beaten Friday at Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu has a diameter of 5 meters. The drum was made by Japanese and Nepali workers. It took 5 month to complete the project. His previous drum, made 6 years ago, is in Japan. He said that he chose Nepal to break his record as it is the land of the Lord Buddha. And it was also perfect timing to beat this peace drum as the whole of Nepal is celebrating peace. By sheer coincidence, the drum was made to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations. A cultural programme by Nepalese and Japanese artists was also held at Dashrath stadium in celebration. Students of various schools also took part in celebration. Addressing the function, the deputy prime minister of Nepal, K.P. Oli said that the combination of peace loving Japanese and Nepalese, who are set to start their journey together in a peaceful environment, will be fruitful and it will send right message to whole world. At the end of function, artists from Japan beat that gigantic drum in such a melodious way that all the spectators were hypnotized. I took a closer look at the drummers; they were beating the drums as well as dancing. There were male, female and teenage drummers. Source: Ohmynews.com
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