Music of Nepal

Music of Nepal

Music of Nepal refers to the various musical genres heard in Nepal. With more than fifty ethnic groups, the music of the country is highly diverse. Genres like pop, rock, Nep-hop ko bato, folk, classical music, and ratna music are widely found, but many less common genres are yet to be cataloged. Rap also sometimes appears on the Nepalese music charts. Many of the country's musical bands are based in Kathmandu, especially the recent ones focused on pop and rock.

Genres

Dohori

Dohori music is Nepali folk songs. Dohori means from two side or a debate. This debate is in rhythm, and involves quick and witty poetry. The two teams in Dohori usually involve boys in one group and 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 as long as a week. The length of the Dohori depends on the quick thinking ability of the players.[citation needed]

Aadhunik geet[edit]

Aadhunik geet or modern songs are popular songs in Nepal. It is also known as sugam sangeet. These type of songs are soft and melodious. One of the most famous singers in this category was late Narayan Gopal who was also known as a "King of Modern Songs" who gave hits like "Euta Manchhe Ko", and "Yeti Dherai Maya Dii". The singer was equally praised in India for his commendable voice and soothing tones.[citation needed]

Classical

Nepali classical music has a history since the time of King Mana Deva (567BS / 510 AD). The classical music was able to develop, improve and grow during the Kirat Period, Lichchavi Period, Malla Period and Shah Period as well as the Rana Period. After Rana rulers King Mahendra and Birendra played a role to popularise classical music through Radio and Durbar Concerts. Today many classical musicians live with music here as their profession. Many bands namely Sursudha, Sukarma, Trikaal, Sampada,[2] Kutumba are famous bands in Nepal. Classical music organizations such as Kalanidhi, Narayan Music Academy, Kirateswor, Kapan Sangit Sarowar, Yalamaya, Ram Mandir and Atul Memorial Gurukul have been organising regular public shows for the conservation of eastern classical music. Atul Memorial Gurukul[3] is the first classical music Gurukul in Nepal.

Ethnic music

Newar music

Main article: Newa music

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

Gurung music

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 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.

Gurung films are also popularizing some of these songs and dances. Jyoti Gurung is regarded as one of the best Gurung singers from this community. She has contributed many successful Gurung songs and Gurung film songs.[citation needed]

Kirat music

Sunuwar

Rai

Limbu

The Yakthungs (Limbu) have various forms of dance, songs and musical instruments. Of them, Dhaan Nach (paddy dance) and Chya:brung (Dhol Nach "drum dance") are popular symbolics. Khambu celebrate Sakela, a dance performed during the occasion of "Udauli" and "Ubhuali" which is the greatest festival of Khumbu (Rai, kirat). Sakela which are sometime wrongly referred as Chandi Naach. Chandi is a Hindu goddess and is not related in any way with Kirat culture. Many forms of their dance involve rituals or religious offerings towards Mundhum (native Kiranti religion). Traditional dance and songs are also practiced for weddings, festivals or gatherings.[citation needed]

Tamang music

The Tamang community is well known for Damphu, a 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[4] Avinash Ghising, Roj Moktan, and Bijay Lama have used Tamang Selo tunes in their songs and those songs have also been hits.

Magar music

Salaijo, Kauda and Sorathi are the three exclusive musical genres of Magar music.[citation needed]

Sherpa music

Sherpa music is based on Tibetan Buddhism. This is identical to music of Tibet around the trans-Himalayan region. First and foremost Tibetan music is religious music, reflecting the influence of Tibetan Buddhism on the culture.

Source:en.wikipedia.org