Diplipito

Diplipito is a percussion instrument of oriental origin, used in the South Caucasus.

It consists of two small cone-shaped clay pots of different widths and the same height. They are covered with calf leather or bull's bladder. The pots are tied together with a cord. Their height is 200–250 mm, the diameter of the smaller one is 90 mm and the larger one — 170 mm. The diameter of the narrowed base is 25–50 mm. It is painted in various colors on the outside.

Diplipito is played with two small wooden sticks called “goat's legs”. If one wants to tighten the leather to enhance the sound, the pots are heated on a brazier, and to loosen the leather, it needs to be slightly moistened.

Diplipito is primarily an ensemble instrument. It was first introduced into a professional orchestra by M. Ippolitov-Ivanov.

Diplipito was used by D. Arakishvili in the opera The Legend of Shota Rustaveli, by R. Glière in Shah-Senem and others.

G. Chkhikvadze