Hollow wood or metal drums covered one side or both sides with animal skin with Khari pasted on the Skin: These are Tal bajas and made of wood, mud or other metals with skin and Khari. Most of these instruments are made of hollow wood with skin with a smaller khari on one side, and a bigger khari on the other side. The instruments are played with fingers. They are namely, Yelopo dhimey, Kansijaba, Kwata, Chaling, Jwa khin, Dakkari, Tatali, Danga khin, Damo khin, Dakchin baja khin, Dyo khin, Pokhawaj, Pachima, Pasta khin. Paita khin, Mag khin, Manra, Madal, Ma dhimey. Maner, Mridunga, Mridanga, Yak khin, Rani Madal, Lata khin, Lal khin, and Sorathi madal (Subba, 1999; Kandel,2004).

Hollow wood or metal drums covered one side or both sides with animal skin but without Khari pasted on the Skin: These instruments are made of wood, mud or metals with skin on one or both side but without khari. The player plays with hand, wooden sticks or metal sticks. They are namely, Awaj, Akpatey nah, Kapal damaru, Kaling, Kanta dabdab, Tuktukey, Ke (Chyabrung), Korbing, Khilupa, Khol, Nah, Na, Chhattish nagara, Chhyongna, Jarungey, Jor nagara, Jhankri dhyangro, Jhyali damphu, Teymki, Tyakko, Tyamkko, Dabdab, abdamfu, Damba, Dimki, Dugdugi, Dauri, Dak, Dhol, Dholaki, 'lhnamakacha, Tamring, Tassa, Tunjai, Twahutu, Thundar, Dah, Damaha, f)ainu Damau, Dibya nagara, Durga damaru, Dibya damaru, Duparyya digari, Dhah, Dholak. Nagara, Nagara Nisan, Nirgun khaichardi, Nuwakot khainjardi, Negra, Puttungey, Bainu damau, Balun khainchardi, Bijuwa dhyangro, Bhajira, Majhaula dah, Mafna, Roila khainjardi, Laghu kah, Salyani sarangi, Salaijyo damfu, Sin dung, and Hudko (Subba, 1999; Kandel, 2004).

  The people of Sikkim believe that no musical instruments should be played during the month of Srawan. The old popular belief of the people is that the gods and goddesses descend down and go to the underground world to take rest during the month of Srawan, hence one should not disturb them by the sound of music.

Different communities of Sikkim have their own folk musical instruments which have been listed out in their ethnographic details. The Panchai Baja and Nawmati Baja of Sikkim:

The Panchai Baja and Nawmati Baja played by the Lower Khasas (Damai) are the most popular musical instruments of the Nepali Ethnic Communities of Sikkim. In the Panchai Baja there are five musical instruments whereas there are nine or more musical instruments in Nawmati Baja. It is said that the Panchai Baja is the symbol of Pancha Tatwa (earth, water, fire, air, and sky) and Pancha Dhatu (gold, silver, copper, lead and tin). While forming these musical instruments the five forms of gods too has been imagined i.e. Ganesh, Vishnu, Devi, Sun and Shiva. The five musical instruments of Panchai Baja are Teep Sahanai, Dholaki, Jhurumma, Domaha and Tiamko.

    Nawmati Baja is the comprehensive form of the Panchai Baja, with addition of four or more musical instruments. These additional musical instruments of Nawmati Baja are Narsingha, Karnal, Dhodre Sahanai, and Bikul. Some more musical instruments may also be added in Nawmati Baja such as Tyakko, Turahi, Dahinu Damau, Bheyri, Rasa, etc. (Subba, 1999; Kandel, 2004; Gurung and Lama, 2004).