Sahanai (oboe), in two parts, with a bag and two boxes of accessories. Made in April 1987 by Saila Pariyar of Rana Tok, Gorkha, at a cost of Nep. Rs 60/-, with bell, staple and pirouette made by Biurson Visnu Karma of Kamigau, Gorkha Bajar and costing Nep. Rs.150/-. The curved wooden tube is made in two halves, with 7 fingerholes, no thumbhole. The two halves have been stuck together with sugar cane syrup, and bound with ten plaited rings (goya) of cane. Brass staple, metal disc pirouette and two spare reeds bound together with cotton thread. With cloth cover, ten spare reeds in a matchbox, and reed-making kit and materials in a chocolate box also containing five spare reeds within another matchbox.. The manufacturing process is described in Carol Tingey 'Auspicious music in a changing society: the Damai musicians of Nepal' (1993), pp.39-47. Played using circular breathing. There is a series of photos documenting the entire production from start to finish. B/W photo by Carol Tingey in British Library: Reel no. 2/Image 10/Date 1987-04-22/Saila Pariyar holding the body of the sahnai made by him. Sound tape 19, Side A. B/W photo by Carol Tingey in British Library: Reel no. 2/Images 9-37/ and Reel no. 3/Images 1-26/Date 1987-04-22/Biurson Visnu Karma making the bell, staple and pirouette of the sahnai. Sound tape 19, Side B. Photo of sahanai in performance in British Library: Reel no. 5, Image nos 18A-20A, Date 1987-05-13, description: Gorkha Darbar Pancai Baja with sahanai. Colour photos reel 3 nos 11a-13a. Sound tape 25 Side A
There is a series of photographs documenting the entire production of the sahanai from start to finish, as well as sound recordings the British Library. These audio visual materials were created by the collector, Carol Tingey, when she was working in Nepal in the 1980s. (Reference: B/W photo: Reel no. 2/Image 10/Date 1987-04-22/Saila Pariyar holding the body of the sahnai made by him. Sound tape 19, Side A.. B/W photos: Reel no. 2/Images 9-37/ and Reel no. 3/Images 1-26/Date 1987-04-22/Biurson Visnu Karma making the bell, staple and pirouette of the sahnai. Sound tape 19, Side B. Photo of sahanai in performance: Reel no. 5, Image nos 18A-20A, Date 1987-05-13, description: Gorkha Darbar Pancai Baja with sahanai. Colour photos reel 3 nos 11a-13a. Sound tape 25 Side A)
