On this first Monthly Feature (first post as well) of 2017, I’m going to share some of the songs I heard during my stay at Palpa.
The first song I share is a typical Folk song of the Mid- and Far-Western Region called Deuda. There are a lot of songs within the Deuda culture, Raijhuma is the most popular. I’m not going to tell why it is popular among the masses; just a reason why it got famous in our camp.
One of the students in the camp, Tej Bahadur Rokaya (Tej dai–because he is much senior by age) hailed from Karnali.
Tej dai sings on the last day of the camp
Within a few days we discovered that he can sing Raijhuma of his own using his quick wits.Soon the whole camp was singing and enjoying the song. Here’s a version of the song on YouTube.
The second song is related to the Rodi culture of Western Nepal with a modern touch. This song tells the features of Rodi popular among the indigenous communities like Gurung, Magar, etc. I heard this song for the first time through Anil Regmi. I found two versions of this song on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zp8n38kx7Ow and https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EPzM92gZMO4
The other song that I remember is Jhamke Guleli. I had heard this song being sung by boys last year at Malekhu but I had not understood it then. This song is a simple one with deep sorrow expressed in beautiful words. Here’s a link to the song on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8f0EL6u99o
The fourth song I am sharing is Kaanchhiko chhata dhalkai deu yeta by Tulsi Parajuli. This is a beautiful Folk song of love with its origin in the Eastern region. While listening to the Folk songs from the Western Region on a regular basis, my mind wanted to switch to the Eastern Region. That’s why I downloaded and listened to this song. The YouTube link:https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ASIaCFl3NfA
That’s it for this month. May our lives be filled with music this year!
August’s Monthly Feature is about some songs I am listening this monsoon. There are hundreds of songs I listen to. The songs here are just representative of their types.
First, Songs on Monsoon
Asarai Mahinama: There are several cover versions of this song, which I heard before the original. This original song sung by Chujan Dukpa beautifully tells the story of a man who is remembering his family from abroad.
Basai Bagayo: Aka Koshi, this is a beautiful song which carries the story of people affected the Koshi flooding about eight years ago. The song is significant even today as Koshi is shifting westwards from its previous bank and has been troubling many people who depend upon it. Next, Love Songs
Tiriri Murali Banyo Banaima: This song, originally sung by Panna Kaji (The link leads to the version later sung by his son, Pravesh Man Shakya.) is a beautiful reminiscence of love.
Ek Ladki Ko: All time favorite of mine, this Hindi song is penned by Javed Akhtar, composed by R.D. Burman and sung by Kumar Sanu. I particularly love the lyrics of this song. And finally, sentimental melodies
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: Titular song of the Bollywood movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna translates into Never Say Goodbye. When I say goodbye to someone, maybe they don’t want me to go away.
Yo Dajuko Mirmire Aankha: This tragic folk song is about a couple about to be separated due to financial problems.
(Beginning from January 1, 2016, I am publishing a blog post every month on music, art or literature that have inspired or influenced me.)
The Band
Night is a folk musical group from Nepal. They have produced some extremely beautiful works based on Nepali folk music. Not only they have collected wonderful folk tunes, they have also been working on promoting and preserving instruments that are now on the verge of extinction.
1. Jason Kunwar
The male lead singer of the band. Setopati.com had mentioned him as a ‘guerrilla explorer’ of Nepali folk music. He is the composer of the band and its heart and soul. Along with singing, he also plays ‘bansuri‘ (flute) and ‘sarangi‘.
2. Sumnima (Mina) Singh
The female vocalist of the band. Her voice has been featured exclusively in the song ‘Kathor’ and the theme song for the epic historical movie ‘Jhola’. She has also sung for the band along with Jason Kunwar in most of the songs.
3. Shiva Kumar Khatri
An expert on ‘Paluwa’ or leaf used as a musical instrument. He has been recently interviewed on the BBC Nepali Service.
4. Niraj Shakya
The band manager and recordist who also plays guitar and Tungna.
Works
The band has produced various songs which are gaining popularity on YouTube. The band’s debut album ‘Ani Ukali, Sangai Orali’ has made them much popular. They have also composed music for the Nepali movies ‘Chhadke’, ‘Jhola’ and ‘Suntali’.
Almost all the independent songs they have produced are folk-based and represent the pains of the economically poor people. The band explores various parts of Nepal, collects folk tunes and instruments. It is also promoting rare musical instruments through short documentary series ‘Know your Instruments’ on their YouTube channel and Live Concerts.
They have also recently represented Nepal at Shambhala Music Festival in August of 2015.
Before the festival, they were featured on an episode of Kripa Unplugged, a musical show on Terai TV. It was on this channel that I had first heard the band’s ‘Basai Bagayo’.
They also collaborated with A.R. Rahman on the occasion of International Peace Day to produce a musical tribute ‘Ot’.
Songs that have touched my heart
Basai Bagayo (aka Koshi)
This song is based on the floods of Sapta Koshi (“Sapta” means seven. There are seven main tributaries of the river- Arun, Tamor, Dudh Koshi, Sun Koshi, Tama Koshi, Indrawati and Likhu all flowing on the Eastern Nepal.) river in the year 2063 B.S. (2006 A.D.). The eastern dam of the river broke up in the night drowning hundreds of people, and their properties. Night captured the emotions of a victim and presented a beautiful song. The song begins with the sound of water artistically produced from a half-filled bucket. Words ‘hajur’ (in a sense of respect and hope) and ‘bara’ (in sense of helplessness) have been used eloquently to convey pain in the song. These lines in the latter part of the song, represent the anger towards the government who agreed to let India control the Barrage at Koshi River:
‘Baarud kini lyam na hajur, Chabi chorna jaam na hajur’
Tuina ko chha hai bhara
Tuin(a) is a manually operated ropeway. You can see its structure and operation on the first part of this video:
It is one of my favourite songs of all times. The song by Night is an artistic presentation of the current situation of our country. With the catchy ‘Jaam Jaam Kanchhi Jaam Jaam, Jaam Jaam Kanchhi Jaam Jaam’, the song is an urge for change, not just political but economical as well. The change in political scenario is presented as ‘Sakiyechaa bana bhoja, aba sahar’aa mana moja’ after the Maoists who confronted the government remaining in the forest and underground for ten years Later, when they came up on the government, leaders enjoyed themselves while those who fought for their lives were forgotten. Politicians call for ‘Naya (New) Nepal’ but our problems are still the same. The song and the music video inspires to come together for economic development although the overall lyrics is about the troubles Nepalese have faced.
Sun ko jutta / Golden Boots
‘Chhaina topi siraima,
Bhokai Marlan Dheraima
Raat lai Maya, Ujyalo Chhaya
Mutu tinko dhungako,
Dar chha tinalai bhokako
Sun ko jutta jo lagauchhan
Ragat ko Butta banauchhan.’
This short and powerful song with a meaningful music video brings tears on my eyes every time. The death of a youth who goes to the Gulf to earn money leaves his parents hungry. The rulers on the other hand are keen on using the situation to rule longer. They have stoned hearts and they fear hunger. They wear boots of gold but play with the lives of the poor.
The music video presents the real picture of the helpless people of our country.
Future
Within a short period of time, Night has gained popularity through it’s beautiful music combined with exceptionally powerful lyrics. These songs are not the ones that can be easily forgotten. That is the strength of Night and that can take our music from darkness to the light.
[Note: The English translation of their songs are available on the blog of Night’s website.
Due to lack of ample data, I was unable to fetch the information on all the band members.]
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