Chhayam drum is used in Chhayam music and is always associated with felicitous occasions.  Chhayam music accompanies fundraising ceemonies, Kathen Tean, and other festivities (Bon) for local pagodas 9temples) and other cermonial processions.  Although this instrument is traditionally played by men as the name implies: Chhay = Man and Yam = dance (Male dancing group), sometimes women also play.  This drum features a wide head and a long, open-ended sound box.   It is made of straight grained timber which tapers down to a tail-like shape.  Wood from the jackfruit tree is often used as it is light and produces a desirable sound.  The drum head is made of green cowhide, which is pared down very thinly and then stretched taut across the sound box.  It is then fastened tight with strips of leather, which is laced through the metal band at the head.  The Chhayam is usually decorated with two to three levels of pleated colorful cloth called the sampot, or skirt, of the drum.  A thick paste of cooked rice, ash and water is applied to the center of the drum skin to alter the pitch of the drum before the performance.  The Chhayam Drum player hangs it on his shoulder using a string that is attached to the side of the head and bottom of the foot and uses both hands to beat the drum as he dances.  If the drum is light enough, a highly skilled performer can pick it up with his mouth while in motion! -next-