History of Nepali Music

History of Nepali Music 

Music of Nepal refers to the various musical genres of Nepal. With more than fifty ethnicity, the music of this country is a highly dispersed phenomenon. Although genres like pop, rock, folk, and Classical music exist, a huge number of such genres are yet to be cataloged. Many musical bands exist in Nepal, with a huge number in Kathmandu – most of the recent ones focused in pop and rock. Rap has been known to emerge on the charts from time to time.

Medieval Era

Newari Music developed and flourished during this era. The Malla kings were known for their interest in arts. Drama created during those eras is accompanied by music. Many of the guthis of Kathmandu valley have their origin in this era. These guthis maintain the musical genres established during that era. Dāpā music, a type of Newari bhajan is believed to have originated in this era.

Modern History

The modern history is a very short one. At times when big and private music companies where mushrooming the Western cities, Kathmandu got its first radio station, Radio Nepal in the year 1952. Since then Radio Nepal has expanded to become the dominant radio station all over the country, which helped in the uprising of many key figures in the field, notably Shiva Shankar, Natikaji, Narayan Gopal, Arun Thapa Magar (also known as Arun Thapa), Dharma Raj Thapa, Jhalak Man Gandarva, and in the female arena Koili Devi Mathema, Tara Devi, Aruna Lama, Gyanu Rana.

Those music genres which have roots in Nepal can be considered as indigenous Nepalese music. This includes:

Newari Music

Newa Music, also spelled Newar Music, is traditional music developed in Nepal by the Newars. The musical instruments mainly consist of percussion and wind instruments.

The Instruments

The instruments can be categorized as:

Membranophones:

Dhimay, Paschima, Khin, Kwonchakhin, Damakhin, Dhaa, Nayekhin, Dholak, Nagara, Kal dab dab

Chordophones:

Piwancha, Sarangi

Aerophones:

Bansuri, Baye, Mwaali, Ponga, Kaahan

Idiophones:

Taa, Babhu, Chhusyaa, Kaynpin, Bhusyaa

Traditional music

The traditional Newar music has been arranged into a particular schedule [6]. One of the dominant forms of traditional Newar music is ‘Dapha’. Dapha music is a classical newar music that probably originated during late ‘Lichhavi Period’ and flourished in the ‘Malla period’. Basically, the songs of Dapha music are devotional songs based on classical ragas. Dapha music is played by bands known as ‘Dapha Khalah’ that may be associated with a traditional groups called ‘guthi’. According to the ragas certain songs are played at certain season or time of day. The songs generally narrate or depict the mood of the particular season.

Gurung Music

The Gurung have a very rich tradition of music and culture. Gurungs have an ancient tradition of Rodhi where young people meet, sing and dance to folk songs, and share their views. Young men and women at Rodhi often sing call-and-response songs called dohori, which are largely improvised. Some musical dances like Ghantu and Chudka are still in existence, and are still performed in many Gurung villages. These dances are many hundreds of years old, and are performed either solo or in a group. Music also plays a big role in the Gurung ritual of Argum, which is performed when someone in the community dies.

These traditions are still very much alive in rural Gurung villages. Gurung films are also popularizing some of these songs and dances.

Tamang Music

Tamang community is well known for Damphu, traditional instrument. Tamang selo music is based on the usage of Damphu and Tungna. It is said that British people got an idea of making Drum Sets from Damphu during their stay at India. Western and Indian instruments are also found in some modern Tamang Selo music. Recently due to the re-mixing trend of classic Nepali songs, Tamang Selo tuned songs like changba hoi changba, Man chadey Maichyang lai have been a hit in Nepali radio stations. Also, Modern artists like Sindhu Malla, Raju Lama,[1] Avinash Ghising, Roj Moktan, Bijay Lama, etc. have used Tamang Selo tunes in their songs and those songs have also been a hit.

And Kirat (Paddy dance, Chya:brung(drum dance), sakela, sakewa and Chandi Naach), Sherpa, Maithili and other music are considered as indigenous Nepalese music

Dohori

In Nepal there are different kind of music. Among them one cultural type of song is called dohori. Dohori is Nepali Folk song. This is unique type of song in world. Dohoro means from two side,or a debate. This debate is in rhythm, and involves quick and witty poetry.The two teams in Dohori usually involves boys in one group girls in the other.The song is started with a question usually from the boys side. The girl follows the question with a quick response and continues the musical conversation. Dohori songs can last for long time. The length of the Dohari depends on the quick thinking ability of the players. Some Doharis have lasted as long as seven days. People celebrate the entire night singing the Dohari.They start singing in evening and end at dawn. Love and marriage are usually the topic of the debate. The male expresses his love or feelings to the girl in the song and girl may or may not respond positively for various reasons.

source:inasociety.org