The eight-day workshop, a community-based initiative, was recently held  at Ketu Gaburjut in Naxalbari in Darjeeling district .

One of the key objectives of holding this workshop was to encourage the master craftsmen and others involved in the making of these instruments and build up their confidence.

The workshop also focused on research and documentation regarding these instruments and the ritualistic dances of the Dhimal community  as well as take appropriate steps to preserve the dances and the musical instruments which together constitute a centuries-old art form now threatened with extinction.

The four master craftsmen who took part in the workshop were Garjan Kumar Mallick, Bistu Mallick, Dipak Mallick and T. K. Mallick.

All of them belong to Ketu Gaburjut in Naxalbari.

At this workshop, Garjan Kumar Mallick made the urni, tunjai and khuidhuika, Bistu Mallick made the chonga merdong, and Dipak Mallick and T. K. Mallick made the basinko dotra – the best known musical instruments of the Dhimal community.