Khin [/’xhî’/], a classical musical percussive instrument that is of a wooden hollow cylinder with membrane stretched across each end.  It is one of the classical music instruments used by Newāh in different occasions. So does it take different names as it is played in different musical settings, such as Yāka: [/jɑ’kɜ] Khin when single Khin is played; Joh [/dʒó/] Khin – a coupled Khin, Lāla: [/lɑ’l3:/] Khin, Desi [/dɛ́zi/] Khin. However, it is understood, in general, as Dāpā [/dɑ́pɑ́/] Khin which is the dominant instrument in traditional Newāh music.

The membrane of right side is usually of cow skin while left is of goat skin. Both membranes are plastered in a circular shape with a coat of black tuning paste called khau[/x3ú/][1]. Because of its shape, the dynamics of sound vary from the right hand side to the left. The right side is shaper; produce high pitch sound and the left side is just opposite, a bass.

Typically, Dāpā Khin is played along with Tā:, Babhoo, Bāsuri (wooden flute), and Muwāli in Dāpā.  The Dāpā music, as is believed to be originated during “Lichhavi dynasty” and thrived during “Malla dynasty” in Nepal, is based on classical Rāgas and performed by Dāpā Khala:, which means a group or band of Dāpā.[2] So, Dāpā does not mean music instrument although Khin is identified with Dāpā. It is a genre of Newāh music that is associated with religious devotional song based on Rāgas.