“The world does not seem to have any real problem.”
I read the comment as I was listening to a song on YouTube.
The song composed by A.R. Rahman was sung by students of Berkelee College of Music who belonged to different nationalities, religions and ethnicities. Yet they sang an Islamic devotional song together that has touched the hearts of thousands of people.
Each of us is different from the other. We should not be scared by the differences between us. Captain Paul says:
We must respect the differences we have. We must also be able to know that despite our differences, we have some similarities.
What really do we have in common? A lot. You just need to observe them carefully. One thing that I would like to discuss here, however is that we all want peace. Music is one form of art that has bound us since the beginning of time.
I love listening to songs of different religions. They have beautiful, meaningful words and soothing music (even if I don’t understand word.) They touch my soul. I feel my connection with the Being Supreme- the caretaker of all souls.
I have sung and listened Bhajans (Hindu devotional songs), I have listened (and cried with joy) listening to Buddhist hymns and Islam Sufis. These songs have taught me a lot of things: human culture, life and above all, humanity.
No song has taught me to disregard the Supreme Being. (Some pray Bhagwan, some Ram, some Krishna, some Buddha, some Allah, and some Khuda.) No song has taught me to kill others for fun. No song has taught me to cheat people. I have always learnt to be good to everyone and everything around me.
So, why are there disputes in the names of religions? All the religions in the world show path to the same Supreme Being called by different names. I intend to share a few other songs on YouTube that have touched my soul.
On this day of Saraswati Pooja–the day of the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, art and music– I pray that our knowledge defeat the darkness of ignorance.
When I began writing posts under the category of “Monthly Feature” at the beginning of this year, the only thing I aimed was consistency. The other aim was to review music, movies and art. As I look back, I realize that there have been movie reviews have become more numerous than the others. On the twelfth monthly feature–the last for the year 2016, let’s take a revision.
On January, I featured a Nepali folk music band: Night. Despite being named Night, I discussed how the band is taking Nepali music on to the light. The second post was the review of a wonderful Nepali movie Jhola. On the third monthly feature that came on March, I could not find a specific topic, I guess. So I discussed how our very existence could be an art and how we can indulge ourselves in art as well.
I went to a wood-art exhibition in March. Later, it turned into April’s monthly feature. I was really mesmerized by the way, artists from various parts of the world to create the best they could. May’s featured post offered condolences to Thinle, the hero of Dolpa whose movie Himalaya (aka Caravan) was nominated in the Academy Awards. In June, I analyzed Maleficent (2014) and discussed if it is fair to call her a villain.
Just before I wrap up, I would like to share a song–Breathless by Shankar Mahadevan. Most people are amazed by the way he sings; but to me what he sings strikes a chord deep within me.
Art and language are languages on their own. They can give wonderful messages without words and they are so powerful that they touch not just the mind but the Soul.
Last Friday, 25th of March, I visited a wonderful exhibition, thanks to my friend Bimal, at the Nepal Academy. The exhibition had been held on the occasion of World Wood Day. It was a units experience as I had been on such a huge international exhibition for the first time with my friends and also because I had never heard of such a festival as World Wood Day before. (I’m still not sure which day is the Wood Day, but I’m guessing it was on 21st March!)
Unfortunately that was the last day of the event and there were very few artworks on display on the ground of the Academy. The Chinese wooden letters, symbols, monasteries and pictures were the first things I saw. Then there were Nepalese ethnic communities- Chepangs, Newars, and Tharus exhibiting their art by the effective use of wood. The Mouse Killer of Chepangs and Tharus, the wooden puppets (kath putali) and the Masks of Newars attracted me the most. Then there were huge flutes, an educational stall of the Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Botany. Then there were artistic tables and chairs designed by carpenters from different parts of the world. One Arab carpenter told us to sit on his carpentery and then rate the work. We were not experts, but then we rated it as a good work. Then we went inside the building where the actual exhibition seemed to be running.
The first thing I noticed was the carved head of the Buddha and a woman with rosy hair. They just looked beautiful. Some Arabs were showing their work, and I looked up around at the Laughing Buddha and some other trunk carvings by Nepali and foreign artists. It was turning into an amazing experience and the music coming out from the Academy Hall was turning it into a charming one. As soon as we heard the music coming up, I rushed to the hall with Prafulla, Khumendra, Sanjeev and Romi.
The wood carving of Shiva Parbati by a Russian artist
The Nepal Academy Hall is historical. It is the very stage upon which the Great Poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota recited his poems. It is the stage that has hosted itself for most of the writers, theatre artists, musicians and poets. On the stage, that day were Spanish(?) and Nepali musicians playing instruments made of wood such as flute, saarangi, maadal, guitar, and some instruments I do not know the manes of. The music went through the air and then touched my heart and soul. The Spanish group even sang a song and though I did not understand the language of words, I could clearly feel the beauty of the unspoken language. Four musical performances later, four of the Nepali musicians left on the stage presented the music of the Himalaya. That was the moment I was most overwhelmed and the one I don’t think I will ever forget.
We went upstairs to see other artworks. There were works of various designs and themes. One of them included a look-alike puppet of the puppeteer himself. The representation of the Greek art of wood was amazing. But then there was one simple work by Palestinian artists in the shape of question mark. The note on its side read:
We have come from around the world and have worked together to create art. If we can do this together, why do we have to fight in the names of religions and all?
The ending ceremony of the event was due when I had to go back to my home. I came mesmerized, peace in my heart and Soul.
(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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