When the artisans start the process of making these special bowls, after making the mix of seven metals, a small cut piece of an ancient old vintage singing bowl from the treasures of monastery is also added to the mix. This special piece is considered the high blessing from the deities. The artisans are Tamrakars who are an ethnic caste of Newars specialized in making copper and bronze products. Tamra, also called TAMA means copper in English and kar means worker. Together it becomes Tamrakar meaning Copper Worker.
Singing Bowls also known as meditation chakra bowls, healing singing bowls or Himalayan singing bowls have been widely used since from the ancient times in Nepal and Tibet mostly by the Buddhist monks for meditation, religious ceremonial music, traditional ritual offerings, for praying as praying bowls and as traditional musical instruments.
Comprised of the seven metals representing different planetary influences:
- Gold = the sun
- Silver = the moon
- Mercury = Mercury
- Copper = Venus
- Iron = Mars
- Tin = Jupiter
- eLead = Saturn
Singing bowls are also used as bowls for rice feeding or food bowls mostly in the Himalayan region in the early days. Singing Bowls produce a wonderful singing/humming sound when they are hit, tapped, struck or rubbed by a singing bowls wooden striker/mallet or dowel. Singing bowls are used for meditation, sound therapy, healing, sound massage and more. Nowadays singing bowls are used for medical cures and treatment by the technique of sound therapy, sound massage as a tool for holistic healing, calm the nervous system and reviving brain functions and have successful results in the treatment.
How to play a Singing Bowl
- Hold the bowl in the palm of either hand.
- With the mallet, rub the outside rim in a circular motion. Keep an even pressure.
- Gently increase the speed as the bowl begins to vibrate, and as the sound grows. It may help to tap the bowl to begin the vibration.
- Enjoy the exotic sound by just tapping the bowl.
