Dramnyen

Knowledge base

References & bibliography

This archive is built on published scholarship. The sources cited throughout the knowledge base are listed below, followed by the wider bibliography for readers and researchers.

Sources cited on this site

  1. Tashi Tenzin. Dranyen: A Study in Tibetan Identity. Tibet Policy Institute, Central Tibetan Administration. — The principal source for this archive's history, naming, notation and genre sections. Read the paper (PDF).
  2. Collinge, Ian. “The Dra-nyen (The Himalayan Lute): An Emblem of Tibetan Culture,” Chime Journal 6 (Spring 1993), pp. 22–33; and “Developments in Musicology in Tibet: The Emergence of a New Tibetan Musical Lexicon,” Asian Music XXVIII/1 (Fall/Winter 1996/97), pp. 93–95.
  3. Goldstein, Melvyn C. “Lhasa Street Songs: Political and Social Satire in Traditional Tibet.” PDF.
  4. Dungkar Losang Thinley (Khrinley). Dungkar Tibetological Great Dictionary (Dungkar Tsikzoe Chenmo). China Tibetology Publishing House, 2002. — Source of the seven animal-voice note names.
  5. Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), Dharamsala — Nangma-Toeshey and the songbook of 1993. tipa.asia.
  6. “Dramyin.” Wikipedia — construction, dimensions, strings and Himalayan distribution. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramyin.
  7. “La-re-so: Teaching the Tibetan Dranyen through Solfège.” Journal of the Vernacular Music Center. Read online.

Selected bibliography

Drawn from the references of Tashi Tenzin's study, for readers who wish to go deeper.

  • Chhosphel, Samten — biographies, Treasury of Lives.
  • Dhondup, K. — Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama. Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
  • F. Maher, Derek — One Hundred Thousand Moons (translation of Tsepon W. D. Shakabpa's political history of Tibet), Vol. 1.
  • Gyatso, Desi Sangye — Mig Yi Nawae Gaton Gug Pe Chakyu. Tibetan People's Publication, 1991.
  • Gyaltsen, Kunsang — Ghar gyi Logyue dhang Jhunkhung Dotsam (A brief history and origin of Ghar), Choetrin Ghar-rol, Lhasa, 1985.
  • Kuznetsov, B. I. — “Who was the founder of the Bon religion?” The Tibet Journal 1/1 (1975); “The highest deities of the Tibetan Bon religion,” The Tibet Journal 6/2 (1981). LTWA.
  • Paksam, Phunrab Tenzin — Gawey Luyang (biography of Doring Tenzin Paljor), Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies, 2010.
  • Paldon — “On the Tibetan plucked instruments,” Journal of Tibet University 14/1 (Feb 1999).
  • Samuel, Geoffrey — “Music of Lhasa Minstrels,” in Zlos-gar: Performing Traditions of Tibet, ed. Jamyang Norbu, LTWA, 1986.
  • Savolainen, Mari — Dunglen Lute Music and the Beginning of Popular Music in Amdo.
  • Tibet Information Network — Unity and Discord: Music and Politics in Contemporary Tibet. London, 2004.
  • Wangyal, Beri Jigmey — History of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (in Tibetan), 2009.

A note on scholarship. The dramnyen's early history survives largely through oral tradition, so some dates and origins are debated among Tibetan musicians and historians. Where sources differ, this archive presents the range of views rather than a single claim. Corrections and additional sources from scholars and tradition-holders are warmly welcomed — this is a living document.