1 chapter: The origins of Tibetan bowls
2 chapter: Physical and spiritual effects
3 chapter: different types of singing bowls and using purpose
Some authentic Himalayan singing bowls from Nepal, Tibet, and India are more than 500 years old. There are 9 types of singing bowls:
1.1 crystal bowls have not been as popular as the regular singing bowls since a long time, but they have been popular recently. They are famously used in various healing therapies since the 80s. The resonance of these crystal bowls seem to grow into the interior spaces and that is one of the reasons they have been revered throughout the meditation and yoga community. Even though the crystal singing bowls are not as ancient as Tibetan Singing Bowls or Nepali Singing Bowls, they have become a very useful instrument for sound healing. The rich and pure vibrant overtones produced by such crystal singing bowls, one can find a deep relaxing and rejuvenating state of mind. Each crystal bowls are blended with the finest gemstones and precious metals during their construction, resulting into a work of art in itself.
1.2 Tthadobati singing bowl, term “thado” means “Straight.” Thadobati has unique features because its surface is a smooth and flat bottom. The singing bowl of Thadobati has straight walls and a large flat base. The medium-sized bowls are made of plain rim whose width is equal to the wall itself. This bowl carries positive vibes and energy. Compared to the jambati singing bowl, it’s deeper. Thadobati singing bowls have high walls, flat bottoms, and straight sides. The lips are plain and undecorated and respond well when played with a mallet. The Thadobati bowls are the ancient bowls available and date back to at least the 15th century. These are the most popular and unique singing bowl types available in the market.
1.3 Lingham singing bowl, the singing bowls of Lingam are marked by a lingam in the center of the inner bowl. Singing bowls of lingam are among the rarest singing bowls of the Himalayas. It’s known as a masculine form; the lingam within the bowl’s base is a slight protrusion of the cone. It’s believed that it was founded back in the 16th century. The hand-made bowls have smooth sides, and the lips are stretched to the bowl inward. Lingam bowls are shallow and have a protrusion in the center. The peak in the bowl makes a flat bottom with a navel-like shape. It has a unique sound due to this unique structure and can be quite difficult to play. Lingam embodies the Hindu god Shiva. Lingam bowls get used in rituals and also for medicinal purposes. Moreover, ancient lingam bowls have a distinct rounded style, similar to Jambati. The Lingham feature can also get incorporated into other bowl styles including Manipuri. A genuine old lingam must have consistent metal at the bottom to build a strong lingam.
1.4 Naga or Pedestal singing bowls have a chalice-like appearance. They are responsive but sometimes the sound produced gets distorted by the loose pedestal base. The thin walls and round shape are not conducive with sonic depth. Antique Naga bowls must have a ceremonial or sacred purpose as they get found in a great condition. Many specialists believe that the Naga bowls got used as an offering bowl due to the pedestal.
1.5 Mani singing bowls have an inward-facing lip, flat bottom, thick walls, and are wider in the middle. They are small to medium-sized and are also referred to as Mudra singing bowls. You can find some decorative markings although older Mani balls do not have them due to wear and tear. Ancient Mani singing bowls date back to the late 16th to 19th centuries. These bowls were generally given as wedding gifts in the olden days. Mani bowls have a very high tone, although they are large and heavy. The sound of the bowl is generally in the 5th octave or the 6th octave. Moreover, they are short and stout and easy to play with a ringing stick. Many specialists believe that they might have got used for ceremonial, sacred, or ritual purposes.
1.6 Ultabati singing bowls are large, heavy over 7 ” and are similar to Jambati. They are quite easy to play and can produce the lowest two octaves. Ultabati bowls can produce OM sound which is of spiritual significance in Buddhist practice. They can also produce fountains. In Ultabati, the side of the bowl gets curved under the rim. They have prominent hammer marks and the etching lines are similar to Jambati bowls. Ultabati also has low tones similar to Jambati. They have black, or darkened outside walls and bright in the interior.
1.7 Manipuri singing bowls are small or medium-sized with shallow insides and splayed rims. they are easy to play and produce the primary tones. These are the best types of singing bowls for beginners. Manipuri is the original singing bowls introduced to Western travelers in the 1970s. Moreover, the name Manipuri comes from the Northeastern state of Manipur in India which is a center of brass objects. These bowls were extensively used which lead to thick etched bowls turned into thin smooth bowls with no markings. Manipuri bowls have hammer marks and fine craftsmanship and they are quite smoothly made. Furthermore, Manipuri bowls have a wide range of sizes, and thicknesses. They have primary tones and can produce lower second octaves to the 5th. The best singing bowls for sound healing and music recording.
1.8 Remuna singing bowls have smooth thin walls. Remuna bowls are similar to Thadobati in shape and timbre. They have a similar soundscape and you can combine with Thadobati in sets. Remuna has inward sloping walls along with a flat bottom and has intricate artwork. They have deep etching with circles inside and out, and also occasionally on the bottom. Remuna bowls have two textures outside, and a darker and rougher bottom half. Remuna Singing Bowls have a simple and rather refined and faintly globular profile that subtly curves away from a modest flat base before gracefully curving back towards the rim. The widest part of their belly is typically just below the midpoint. They typically have thin smooth walls and a plain or single-grooved lip. Decorative markings, if any, are limited to a few concentric circles in the centre of the bowl, and perhaps an incised line below the outer rim and around the belly. Some bowls have a small raised area, or mound, in the centre of the basin, otherwise there is little variation in form apart from size. Remuna bowls are often found in a good state of preservation. Some carry a small inscription. They are renowned for their responsiveness and ease of play, and have particularly lovely voices. Moreover, Remuna have the most beautiful artworks among all the singing bowls, but they get worn away after long use.
1.9 Jambati Singing Bowls are bowls with curved walls, flat bottoms, and inward-facing lips. They have hammer marks which makes them quite appealing. Jambati singing bowls have classical etching lines on the outside rim and circular markings at the inside-bottom. Ancient Jambati have no lines as they get worn off from repeated use. Moreover, they generally play 2nd or 3rd octave but their range is of four different octaves. They get used for grain storage, which preserves them and keeps them in great condition. You also need a mat or cushion to place and play the Jambati singing bowl. Furthermore, Jambati bowls respond well when played by a mallet and are the heaviest of all-singing bowls. They date from the 15th or 16th century and were made mainly for ceremonial use. Decoration is minimal, confined to a few simple incised bands encircling the outer rim to form a collar, and some concentric circles radiating from the centre of the basin. They have wonderful resonant voices and long sustains, and are very popular with collectors, healers, and sound therapists.