derived from the classic Hindu and Buddhist music. Music accompanied most of the traditional epics and plays written in Sanskrit and Nepal Bhasa. This music is based on raga and taal system. The earliest discovered treatise on Newa music is a manuscript called Sangit Chandra Grantha. It was written by King Jagatjyoti Malla of Bhaktapur and his minister Vanshamani Ojha. The manuscript primarily deals with dance, drama and stage play. The text was written in Sanskrit with translations and explanation in Nepal Bhasa. This was followed by another manuscript called Gayanlochan, written by King Jitamitra Malla. Various manuscripts on musical instruments have been found as well. The most famous ones of these are Taal anukaranam, Mridanga Anukaranam, Panchataal baaja. Instruments The instruments can be categorized as: Membranophones: Dhimay, Paschima, Khin, Kwonchakhin, Damakhin, Dhaa, Nayekhin, Dholak, Nagara, Kantan dab dab Chordophones: Piwancha, Sarangi Aerophones: Bansuri, Baye, Mwaali, Ponga, Kaahan Idiophones: Taa, Babhu, Chhusyaa, Kaynpin, Bhusyaa See also List of Nepali musical instruments Malshree dhun Dapha music Gunla Bajan Prajapati Subhash Ram (2000), "Cultural Musical Instruments of Kathmandu Valley". Kathmandu: Newa Dey Daboo (Newars' National Forum) Prajapati Subhash Ram (2006), "Pulangu Nepalbhasa Natakya Sangeet Paksya (Musical Aspects of Ancient Nepalbhasa Dramas)". Seattle : newatech, inc. References Nepalese musical genres Newar Cultural history of Nepal