In Tibet Autonomous Region, drums are more than musical instruments. They’re also used on religious occasions. All temples and monasteries have drums. Nowadays, drums have also been used in folk dances like Reba dance and Zhuo dance, and they’re also a dispensable part in Tibetan opera.

At Gyirai Alley 4, Lhasa, there’s a small workshop which has existed for 16 years. Although it’s unnoticeable, it’s a place where traditional crafts are being practiced and developed.

With a pair of deft hands, Dradul produces drums by crafting timbers and animal skins. For a long time, he’s been accompanied by brisk drums. Aged 42, Dradul is a native of Ema Township, Shigatse. He is a carpenter committed to practicing traditional drum-making crafts.

Dradul said: “I came across carpentry at 10. Out of curiosity, I imitated my grandfather when he was working. Gradually, carpentry became my biggest interest and hobby.”

This workshop has no decorations, no signboards, and even no name. Unless someone tells you, you would never know that traditional crafts are practiced at this shop. On one wall of the shop are finished drums of different sizes and colors.

There’s another man at the shop. Measuring with arc-shaped molds and smoothing woods with a planer, he’s absorbed in his carpentry world. This man is Chungda, elder cousin of Dradul. He is a famed carpenter to locals with 30 years of drum-making experiences.

Chungda’s drums are well-proportioned, exquisite and endurable and can produce sonorous music. Chungda said: “In over 30 years of my career, I treat carpentry as my job and also my responsibility. Nowadays, young people deem carpentry boring and dull. I’m afraid this craft might become lost.”

During their cooperation of 16 years, drums made by Dradul and Chungda have been sold to many monasteries, troupes and households in Tibetan?inhabited regions. About 30 drums sell here every day.