View source for Chimta

{{Short description|Type of musical instrument}}
{{Infobox instrument
| name                  = Chimta
| names                 = Chimpta, musical fire tongs
| image                 = Chimta (5945190629).jpg
| image_capt            = 
| background            =percussion
| classification        =idiophone
| hornbostel_sachs      =
| hornbostel_sachs_desc =
| inventors             =
| developed             =
| range                 =
| related               =[[Dhol]]
| musicians             =[[Alam Lohar]], [[Arif Lohar]], [[Kamal Heer]]
| builders              =
| articles              =
}}

'''''Chimta''''' ({{langx|pa| ਚਿਮਟਾ }}, [[Shahmukhī script|Shahmukhī]]: {{Nastaliq|چمٹا  }}) literally means [[tongs]]. Over time it has evolved into a traditional [[Musical instrument|instrument]] of [[South Asia]] by the permanent addition of small brass jingles.  This instrument is often used in popular Punjabi folk songs, [[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]] music and the [[Sikh]] religious music known as [[Kirtan|Gurbani Kirtan]].

The player of the chimta is able to produce a chiming sound if he holds the joint of the instrument in one hand and strikes the two sides of the chimta together. The jingles are made of metal and thus it produces a metallic sound and helps to keep up the beat of the song.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maps Of India|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/musical-instruments/chimta.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070811223736/http://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/musical-instruments/chimta.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2007|accessdate=27 September 2011}}</ref>

In Bhangra music or at weddings it is often combined with [[Dhol]] and Bhangra dancers.

== Construction and design ==
The chimta consists of a long, flat piece of  [[steel]] or [[iron]] that is pointed at both ends, and folded over in the middle. A metal ring is attached near the fold, and there are jingles or rings attached along the sides at regular intervals. Sometimes there are seven pairs of jingles. The rings are plucked in a downward motion to produce tinkling sounds. Chimtas with large rings are used at rural festivals while ones with smaller rings are often used as an accompaniment to Bhangra dancers and singers of traditional Indian hymns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maps of India|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/musical-instruments/chimta.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070811223736/http://www.mapsofindia.com/himachal-pradesh/musical-instruments/chimta.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2007|accessdate=27 September 2011}}</ref>

== Notable players ==
The late [[Alam Lohar]] is famous for playing this instrument and introducing it to global audiences. Today, musicians like [[Kamal Heer]] and [[Arif Lohar]] play this instrument. Also known as the "rusty tambourine sword",{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} the chimta has been played by members of the experimental rock band [[His Name Is Alive]] on recent tours.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Indian musical instruments}}
{{Musical instruments of Nepal}}

[[Category:Punjabi culture]]
[[Category:Indian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Bhangra (music)]]
[[Category:Punjabi words and phrases]]
[[Category:Asian percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Folk instruments of Punjab]]
[[Category:Pakistani musical instruments]]