Basantapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO world heritage site, came alive as boys to men, girls to women, swayed to the beats of dhime baja and cymbals.

Cultural groups from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur and Thimi put up their acts, in the show organised by People’s Volunteer here on Friday.

Allured by the thumping beats of the skin instrument dhime baja and accompanying chimes of the cymbals, locals and tourists took time to step into the lively environs.

Young girls clad in traditional attire and vermillion powder sang, danced and played the instruments — passed down by their forefathers. However, myth has it that the sound of the dhime was lord Shiva’s creation.

As an innovation to the traditional practise, an orchestra conducted by Nhuchhe Man Dongol also put a show. The orchestra comprised of flute, dhime baja and cymbals.

There are two kinds in the skin instrument yalpwa and bhu dhime. They not only differ in size but also in sound. There are various kinds of tempos and beats. The traditional drums of the Newar community are mainly played in festivals and fests.