Creating Singing Bowls

During a vacation in Nepal I had the opportunity to film for the first time the creation of Singing Bowls in Kathmandu. They are manufactured according to a centuries old tradition by some selected small local enterprises and thereafter find their way throughout the world to lovers of these musical instruments. My search for a  production place started with inquiring many locals. They told me that it is very difficult to find them because it seemed to be a secret how they produce them and also they fear that some Western or Chinese companies will copy them. So, finally, one friend I knew for many years, told me I should follow him by car, he will lead me with his motorcycle. My expectation was to find a big factory where the production takes place. We drove across the city and climbed a curved street when suddenly he turned into a poor slum-like group of huts – houses would be exaggerated. In the backyard we entered a place with some workers sitting on a floor. So this was the creation place of the famous – so-called Tibetan singing bowls, most of them being manufactured in Nepal. I carefully took out my camera and filmed the scene. Later, they brought me to a second place where the engraving and finishing took place. Watch this unique document. The soundtrack is by Kamalakanta from New York.