(Musical Fire Tongs)
The chimpta is actually a fire tong. However, it has evolved into a musical instrument by the permanent addition of small brass jingles. This instrument is especially popular in Punjabi folk music and the Sikh religious music known as shabad.
The chimpta has forks which are made of steel. Today, almost every Indian kitchen has smaller versions of chimptas, often made of aluminium. But the constant bending and flexing of the musical chimpta requires the strength and springiness of steel.
There is a steel ring that is affixed to the handle. The original purpose of this ring was simply to allow the chimpta to be hung on a wall when not in use. But today the ring is an integral part of the technique of the instrument.
There is a small steel band toward the handle side of the instrument. This band holds the the two tongs together when not in use, but releases the tongs when the chimpta is to be played.
The majority of musical chimptas have a line of metal rods on each side which hold a series of brass jingles. These are often joined by forging rather than welding or brazing.
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