Community music of Nepal: An overview

Shobha Tiwari

The uniqueness of Nepali folk music  lies in the fact that it has been continuously sung for generations by various ethnic groups. It has its own originality and existence and is deep-rooted in the national culture.

Diverse ethnic communities of Nepal sing folk songs in their own languages and dialects, reflecting the passions and moods of the changing times. These songs have been handed down to us through generations since the Vedic times as a part of our cultural heritage.

Geographically, Nepal,  a land-locked country, may be divided into three regions. The Sherpas and Tibetans are the main ethnic groups living in the Himalayan region, which encompasses the northern part of the country bordering the Tibet antonomous region. This culture is greatly influenced by the Tibetan culture.

Since the region is usually covered with snow, livestock rearing and mountaineering are the major professions of the Sherpas and Bhutias who belong to the Mangoloid race. During their freetime they entertain themselves by singing folk songs and dancing. The Bhutias have a typical style of singing their folk songs known as ‘Bhote Selo’ while the Sherpas song is ‘Sherbu’. Their most important festival is ‘Losar’, during which they feast amidst gaiety, songs and dances.

Brahmin, Chhetri, Rai, Limbu, Magar and Gurung are the main communities found in the hilly regions. The people of this region have a close affinity to nature. During festivals, they forget all their hardships and give vent to their aspirations and desires through their folk songs and dances. The major musical forms of this region are ‘chudka’, ‘roila’, ‘sorathi’, ‘tappa’ and ‘jhyaure’.

Among them, the ‘jhyaure’ and ‘roila’ are prominent. Although the ‘madal’ is undoubtedly the most popular musical instrument in this region, the ‘bansuri’, ‘sahanai’ and ‘panchebaja’ are also popular. The communities of this region provide an excellent example of diverse cultures’ harmonious coexistance.

Although Kathmandu valley, situated in the mid-highlands, is a metropolis,  Newars are the main inhabitants of the capital city. The practice among Newars of celebrating religious occasions and social functions amidst music, dates back to Malla period. Newars sing in different styles during the four seasons; these styles are known as ‘byanchuli’, ‘charya’, ‘phagu’ and ‘basanta malasri’. The basanta malasri is sung during Dashera, the most important religious festival of the Hindus.

The southern border of Nepal touches India. Most of this part consists of the terai or plains. The major ethnic groups found in this region are the Dhimals, Tharus, Danuwars and Sunuwars. The ethnic groups of this region sing their folk songs in many languages including Maithali and Bhojpuri. Their songs are primarily concerned with farming, their main source of income, and climatic conditions. The more popular musical instruments in the region are ektara, handiya, bin and murali.

As folk music honestly depicts a community’s cultural and social conditions, it is a true reflection of life, culture, history and individual aspirations. It is often said that folk music includes the pictures of a nation. Folk songs of every nation have their own salient features which symbolise generations of traditional and cultural heritage. We must make an effort to preserve the cultural and folk identity of the songs of our different communities. The government must formulate programmes to check the process of transfusion and influence between these different folk songs. The elders should also educate the young generation on their culture and folk traditions. Artists should take more interest in their work and find some time to educate themselves as well as the people at large, opening dance and music schools.

In order to ensure that the music of a single community is free from adverse influence from another, people belonging to a group should practise their religion and customs with honesty, without forgetting their traditional roots. Government units, education policy and the level of public awareness play important roles in the preservation and promotion of ethnic cultures and music.

An accidental educationist

Dikshya Thakuri

I’m impressed with school students as well as university students in Kathmandu — This was Professor David G. Carter’s opening line. Carter, President of Eastern Connecticut State University, USA was here recently on the invitation of Little Angels School. He wanted to become a lawyer but is proud to be an educationist instead. “I’m where I am by accident, and that is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m right where I belong. After all life is full of happy accidents”.

He said that he had read a lot on Nepal but nothing had prepared him for the beauty of the landscape as well as the people. “People over here are so warm and friendly unlike in the west and this is definitely refreshing. I see Nepalese turning their own destiny.  If Nepal or any other country is going to transform, It will be through education”, said Carter.

According to Carter, Eastern Connecticut State University has 2 to 3 percentage of students from Asia, 14 percent coloured and there are students from about 40 countries. His aim is to send students from his university to explore Nepal and also to develop relationships and linkages. “The world is much smaller today because of technology. It’s like we’re living right next door to this country and this is all because of information technology. So we have to maximise this for the betterment of colleges and communicate our ideas “, he added.   

In Carter’s opinion, we live in a society oriented towards expediency and immediacy, but if positively reinforced there’s no harm in it. The youth have to be galvanised and they should believe in themselves and realise that the difference between dream and reality is work. Apart from this, one should have committment to family, country and work. “I grew up in Star-trek movie environment. What was technically impossible and plain fiction then, has turned into a reality today. So the present day youth and the coming generations may even live over a hundred years. Despite technical advancement, the past and future run parallel, my God you can’t get away with them”.

Carter has a global and much broader outlook. He emphasises on integrating differences of people from diverse backgrounds. “You may put a little bit of curry in your food than an individual from America but that makes no difference. We’re all flesh and blood. Our barriers in the west have resulted due to less amount of time we spend with each other. So, what we need is exposure to different cultures of the world. We have to break the barriers”.

Merely watching Hollywood block busters, one may think that America is far superior than most developing nations. But it is far from the truth. “I can take you to urban cities and show you poverty and nightmares. Whether one is in America or Nepal, the key is understanding and then gradually trying to change the ills of our society. We have to provide real hope to those who are deprived of it”.

Carter was born when his father was 72 and his mother 41. They had money but eventually lost everything. He had no choice but to assume responsibility ever since he turned 11. “I know what it is like to struggle but I was able to get a university education because somebody extended a helping hand to me and my life changed. The worst thing in the world is  to live without hope. If you knew that tomorrow would be worse than today, would you get up?”.

A narrow horizon

Shanti Moktan

A fresh graduate from college ... and life stands still. To find a place for yourself in this competitive society is what matters the most. But, how do we make that first step towards our career? Everyone young is worried about it. Looking for a job is one big option most of us ought to choose. Vacancies are what we search for, but are the vacancies which we find in almost every newspaper practical? They demand for a graduate with 2-3 years of experience in that particular field. Wouldn’t anyone get a Masters degree by that time?

Career opportunities for young people need to be given proper consideration, especially in the Nepalese context, where there are the least provisions of providing work in college. Every vacancy we see prefers experienced people. Experience is one thing which does not come by itself and where can a fresh graduate go to get experience to find a job?

Nepal needs to develop proper infrastructure to provide career development opportunities to the up-coming generation. With the availability of training facilities in every organisation, one can have a chance to get experience in their field of work. If we had a provision of working while studying then the problem of having experienced human resource would have automatically solved. But the draw back is that college students who work, rarely go to college during their entire graduation period and they end up scoring low grades.

A systematic arrangement between education and career opportunities needs to be developed in order to enhance the potentials of the young generation. People can never think of a bright future when they are facing a dark present. With such a limited scope, our country will not be able to increase the abilities of the Nepalese manpower and achieve an overall human resource development.

Employment has played a major role in the development of every nation and with proper employment facilities and policies, we will certainly be able to prepare capable manpower enhancing their skills and efficiency in accordance with the rapidly changing technology and economic structure, leading to the development of the nation at large.

Destiny

Pushpa Acharya

Covered with clouds, the sky would soon pour the rain. The distant hills seemed dark as if gnawed by an unknown grief. Yet, a cloud towards the west carried a golden glimmer of the veiled setting sun. The trees in the surroundings appeared pale and placid, tired standing through the days and nights.

At the station, the crowds were dispersing. She straightened her hair getting off the bus and strode a little outside the station, then stopped in front of a big restaurant. In those days, when they used to come here, it was only a small coffee shop. ‘A cup of coffee, please’, she pulled the coat from the collar and sat on a chair at the right corner.

Suddenly, she thought of something and even left the restaurant without finishing the coffee. On the road, she felt the tiny water drops on her face. There was a light rainfall.

After many years, walking on the same path reminded her of her past. Since her wedding she had not been here. Her husband, once or twice, had proposed to spend the holidays in this city. But they never came. Was it right or wrong? She had not been sure. Had the city changed? She saw many new houses and tall buildings, huge crowds and the pressure of vehicles. But, something inside her strongly insisted that it had not changed at all. So, her mind was perplexed whether the broadening of the roads, increase of population and other physical advancements were to be called changes or not. Finally, she concluded that a city cannot be called changed until the essential warmth made its exit. Here, she felt the same affection in the air, the same pleasure in rain and the same passions  she used to feel long ago. Everything, even now, looked own, well acquainted and cherished. But the people — not a single familiar face ever appeared.

She went into a flower shop. She used to come here with him, almost daily, even though they would not buy flowers. Going to college, to the park, or the restaurant or somewhere else and to this shop was a daily routine. It was the biggest flower shop in the city at that time. The old florist was fond of their visits and they were a subject of his gossip. His small daughter was equally talkative. The young girl sitting at the counter was most probably the same little girl. She did not try to talk with the girl, rather, came out swiftly with a wrapped bunch of bluebells and roses and entered the next shop. In a few minutes she appeared with a bag full of fruits in her hands.

On the corridor of the hospital, she paced forward slowly. Inquiring about his room at the reception, she went to the upper floor and asked a man standing there. He pointed towards the left and gazed at her with curiosity.

She meekly opened the door and peeped in. There was an absolute silence. A person stirred on the white bed. There he lay. The one she knew for so long but did not meet all these years after her marriage. His eyes were fixed at the door.

“ I knew you’d come”, he said in a feeble voice.

“Yes...”

She placed the fruits and the other things on the table and gave him the bunch offlowers. He accepted them affectionately.

“How are you? Is he also here?” the same feeble voice questioned about her spouse.

“No, he isn’t. I came alone.” she was staring at his colourless cancer-eaten face.

“Last week he had been here. He really must be a good man.” he grinned.

She did not smile, “And your wife...”

“She has just gone home for food. How is you son?”

“He is well”. The childless man whom she loved in her prime youth (and now...?) was looking at her from the white death bed. “How long have you been here?”

“Didn’t he tell you? Many months... Oh, no more days to remain. Doctors are still saying I’ll get well. I know they are lying.”

“Please, don’t say this...” she fumbled.

They talked a little about the past, a little about the present, something about their lives and something about others. They became more and more passionate, and were absorbed in each other. Their hearts were filled with the long gone memories of their youthful days when they used to be together. Her eyes filled with tears. Then both of them did not speak for a few minutes but stared at one another with tender eyes. The more she remembered her days of youth, the more her pain intensified.

“You’re staying today, aren’t you?” he broke the silence.

“No... I had thought it before but now I am not staying... It’s awful. When I arrived here, I felt as if our past assaulted me severely. I suffer with great pain. On the way, I wished we had not parted but married.”

“Don’t think that, the past is past, it never comes back.”

“That’s what troubles me... I can’t remain in this city any longer.”

He said in a cold voice, “We’ll never be able to meet again.”

She said nothing but saw a vast desert of emptiness in his eyes. “I am going...”, she nearly wept and went out hurriedly. She would sob outside in the darkness.

Getting out of bed, he ate an apple she had brought, looked at the innocent flowers and smelt them - they had her fragrance. He switched off the fan and slept on the bed again. Slowly, the fan stopped completely.

When his wife came, she saw a wrapped bunch of bluebells and roses on his bosom. He was lying on the bed so peacefully that an unknown fear seized her and she ran quickly to his bed.

Misleading message

Binita Joshi

In fact, the Nepali media has been very creative when it comes to awareness advertisements.  Most of them are highly successful   like the advertisement on girl child  education, smoking and using tobacco, etc.

These advertisements especially shot at rural locales with the local people are  more spontaneous and highly effective.

“The joy of parents returning back from their farm exhibiting the sheer joy when their elder daughter reads out the letter sent by her brother from Kathmandu is very touchy and educative, especially when the father pampers his younger daughter saying that she should also learn to read and write and go to school like her elder sister”.

Equally educative is the other advertisement when a boy pleads his father to give up tobacco for his future, .  A small boy requesting his father to save money and not to waste on harmful things like cigarettes and tobacco so that his father could afford to buy books for him is sensible.

In the list of awareness advertisements, the latest on air is about the negative impact caused by smoking.

“A group of people on a public bus, which rather looks like a tourist bus with its leather covered spongy seat all intact.  The only woman on the bus feels dizzy to the smell of the cigarette.  While she is expressing her discomfort, a man hastily, loudly asks the other man smoking in the bus to put off his cigarette and the smoker in his dilemma says he is smoking to forget his woes and not for fun.  Then turn by turn, almost each passenger of the bus gets the privilege to inform the smoker about the darker sides of smoking -- from the probability of lungs cancer to the improper impact on the near and dear ones caused by the smoke.  

Being convinced with this, he promises not to smoke ever again and with shining and shimmering eyes he throws his  cigarette on the aisle of the bus and puts off the cigarette stub by his shoes. 

It is an amazing mistake of the awareness advertisement.  This advertisement gives the message to quit smoking but at the same time mis-educating people to litter the bus.  Can Kathmandu be clean with this kind of an attitude? 

If the director of this advertisement had used more of his creative brain, this  would surely have given two messages simultaneously.   One being, “Smoking is Harmful to Health” and second, “Let’s Keep our Environment Clean” -  throwing things at their designated places.

Media is a very powerful medium and things cannot be overlooked especially in an advertisement, carrying a message.

Acid rain

R J Yadav

What is it?  How does it happen?
The term “acid rain” is used to describe all precipitation; rain, snow, sleet etc that has a pH less than 5.6. The pH expected in pure rain is 7. Acid rains have posed  global ang ecological problems. It is a result of gaseous pollution which is a man-made problem, it is produced due to an  increase in sulphuric acid and nitric acid aerosols by fossil-fuel combustion, metal smelting, industrial process (power plants), automobile exhausts etc. SO2 and nitrogenoxides (mainly NO) are the two main culprits responsible for the acidic precipitation problem. These oxides are swept up into the atmosphere and can travel thousands of kilometres. The longer they stay in the atmosphere, the more likely they are to be oxidised into acids. Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) are the two main acids which then dissolve in water in the atmosphere and fall to the ground as acid rain or may remain in  the atmosphere in clouds-and fogs.

Impacts of Acid Rains:
Acid rain creates complex problems and their impacts are far-reaching. They increase soil acidity thus affecting land flora and fauna; cause acidification of lakes and streams thus affecting aquatic life, affects crop productivity and human health. Besides these it also corrodes buildings, monuments, statues, bridges, fences, railings etc. Due to acidity, levels of heavy metals as Al, Mg, Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in water increases beyond the safe limits. Many bacteria and blue green algae are killed due to acidification, thus disrupting the ecological balance.

In Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and Czechoslovakia forests are critically affected by acid rains. Nutrients as calcium magnesium, potassium have been leached away from soil by acids. Thus acid rain is a great threat to this millennium. It is increasing at a mad rate.Specially in the so called developed nations which have  exploited nature.

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