Music of Nepal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Music of Nepal: Topics | |
|---|---|
| Ethnic Music | Newa music - Gurung music - Tamang music - Khas music - Mithila music - Sunuwar music - Magar music - Bhojpuri music - Sherpa music - Thakali music - Chepang music - Rai music - Tibetan music - Lepcha music - Limbu music - Kusunda music |
| Genres | Dapa - Dohari - Selo - Bhajan - Rodhi - Adhunik Sangeet - Rock - Hip hop |
| Festivals | Goon lā |
| Instruments | Dhimay - Bhusyah - Madal - Sarangi - Damfoo - Dholak - Chyambrung - Bansuri |
| Media | Radio Nepal , Hits FM, Image FM |
| National anthem | "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" |
Music of Nepal refers to the various musical genres of Nepal. With more than forty ethnic diversities, 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 located 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.
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[edit] History
[edit] Medieval Era
Newari Music developed and flourished during this era. The Malla kings were known for their interest in arts. Drama created during those era are 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.
[edit] 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, Dharma Raj Thapa, Jhalak Man Gandarva, and in the female arena Koili Devi Mathema, Tara Devi, Aruna Lama.
[edit] Indigenous Nepalese Music
Those music genres which have roots in Nepal can be considered as indigenous Nepalese music. This includes:-
[edit] Newari Music
Main article: Newari Music
The Newars are well-known for their Newari music. It mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments and no string instruments. There are traditional tunes commemorating almost all the occasions from the womb to the tomb. All the castes have their musical tunes and bands. Music is cherished by people of all walks of life. There are tunes of certain festivals and seasons and even of certain times of day. The God of artists called Nāsadya is found in all the Newar localities. The presence of a Newari musical band in a guthi is considered as a sign of opulence.
[edit] Khas Music
In the Khas society traditionally, castes like Damai, used to play a number of instruments for occasions such as marriage. However, with many villages now having television, radio and even a local FM station, such accounts are declining gradually. The minstrels, gaine, used to play instruments like Sarangi but even the Gaine are declining in number.
[edit] Gurung Music
The gurung have very rich tradition of music and culture. Gurung have established the system of Rodhi which is little similar to mordern discos,where young people meet and share their views in music and dancing. They have own music and dancing history. Some musical dance like Ghatu, Chudka are still in existence.In many gurung villages they are still performing such type of musical dances. These dance are performed either in a solo or in a groups.
In few gurung villages one can still find such dances or music.The gurung films are also promoting these musical dances.
[edit] Kirant Music
limbu celebrates dhaan nach(paddy dance)and Dhol nach as well.
[edit] Tamang Music
Tamang community is well known for Damphu, traditional instrument. Tamang selo music is based on the usage of Damphu and Tungna. 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.
[edit] Magar Music
[edit] Sherpa Music
[edit] Maithili Music
[edit] Bhojpuri Music
[edit] Imported Music
The musical genres which was introduced to Nepal from outside and thrived here can be considered as imported music. This contains:-
[edit] Indian Music
- Bhajan
- Filmi music
[edit] Western Music
- Rock & Roll (Introduced by the Hippies)
- Blues
- Rock
- Metal
- Punk
- Death metal
[edit] Awards
With the growth and development of Nepali music industry, different award ceremonies began being held in different parts of the country, some of them being focused on local talents. The awards of National standard are held each year by media houses, mainly Hits FM and Image FM.
[edit] Annual Hits FM Music Awards
Hits FM was established in April 1996 with the intention to help the music industry grow beyond what it was. Since then, Hits Nepal Pvt. Ltd., the parent organization and the event organizer of Hits Awards has been greatly involving in encouraging and promoting Nepali artists and music. Then came the concept of further involvement through Annual Hits FM Music Awards, which was held for the first time in 2054 BS (1998 AD) with seven categories to award, and it became the first ever musical award to be organized by a private company in national level. The award ceremony celebrated its 10th birthday recently, with artists awarded in 19 categories, including the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award (awarded to a senior member of music industry for their contribution for the development of Nepali music), and performances by top Nepali artists. The songs and albums nominated in each category are based on the votes of the public and the winner is then evaluated by an independent panel of judges.
[edit] Image Awards
Image Awards is an annual event organized by Image Group of Companies to honor people from music industry of Nepal. It was started with the inception of Image FM in 2055 BS (1999 AD). The very first award was handed to Late Tara Devi as the Life Time Achievement award by the then Crown Prince during the inauguration of the FM station. Image Awards with all its national glory, has helped honor and encourage both new and old talents of the music industry of Nepal.
This is the only music award which has categories of awards for national languages of Nepal other than Nepali. More than 45% of Nepalese population have mothertongue other than Nepali.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Nepali MP3 Songs
- Newari Music
- Videos of Nepali Music and Dancing
- Promoting Blues in NEPAL (www.rockmandu.com)
[edit] References
- Tingey, Carol. "The Hills Are Alive". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 2: Latin & North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific, pp 198-202. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
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