Nepalese Music is Alive

[Guest guest]

Culture reflects in chill evening musical air

"Thus, thanks to the farsightedness of our forefathers! Our music is

still alive even in an age of downward trend. We should not forget

that our Nepalese music is complete in all respects."

By Arun Ranjit

Music is an international language, which is understood by all,

irrespective of their different linguistic background. Thus, the

pulse of music seems to dominate the lives of people. People discuss

music may be it Pop or Rock, Jazz or Reggae.

 

Yes, it is true now; the scintillating tunes of the latest Nepali

music too have become a part of popular music played at various

places.

 

There is music in the air. Even at over 30 degree Celsius hot air

temperature in Kathmandu where the country's politics to diplomatic,

economy to social issues become hotter, but April 1st Friday evening

became little cooler and enjoyable at the garden of the official

residence of Ambassador of the United States of America James F.

Moriarty at Kamal Kunj, Kamaladi.

 

The Friday evening draws special attention of Flutist, Sitarist and

Tabala Maestro at nearly an hour-long classical music concert of Sur

Sudha — Nepal's musical ambassador— who is devoting to make music to

disseminate a universal message of peace and harmony propounded by

Lord Buddha, seems to have given the Nepalese and foreign audience to

the Nepalese way to a reawakening.

 

Music does not know boundaries and does Sur Sudha. As music is a

pervasive element of the Nepalese culture accompaniment to the

country's colourful traditions and festivities, Sur Sudha which

consists of Surendra Shrestha on Tabala, Prem Rana Autari on Flute,

Tara Bir Tuladhar on Sitar has been in the lime light for one and

half a decade with its total commitment and dedication to music

relentlessly performing its musical programmes abroad, representing

typical traditional classical music, creating a large number of music

sake.

 

Unquestionably, Sur Sudha, which has also made substantial

contribution in the field of philanthropic work, is the one of the

only musical groups which has presenting the myriad musical

traditional of Nepal and become synonymous to Nepali music in many

countries of the globe. They have continued to seek out traditional

tunes form Terai to high Himalayas, east to west arranging these

melodies and acting as cultural ambassadors of Nepal.

 

These three talented musicians have built a reputation for their

innovative interpretations of traditional Nepali tunes, while at the

same time composing many original pieces which stretch the parameters

of the formal trio setting.

 

The group, which comes forward with typical Nepali dress — daura

suruwal and waist-coat, has successfully popularized traditional

Nepalese music in over 2000 concerts from the steps of ancient Hindu

Temples to the concrete stages of Europe, North America, South

America, Asian counties and has been the subject of TV documentaries

in Europe.

 

The result of these efforts can be heard on more than half music hit

list. They performed their concert with its own distinctive style of

music based around acoustic instruments had so far touched the hearts

of millions of people, irrespective of age and sex for more than

three decades.

 

So far, their performances had won the heart of not only of the

general public but also many high dignitaries from different walks-of

life around the world has without doubt won the heart attending at

the cool musical evening as the audiences respond by clapping into

the rapid rhythms and movements.

 

All their heart-touchy performances were also highly impressive in

employing a variety of elements in every melody genre, from folk to

contemporary tunings. In all the musical performances, the performers

created a diverse music through the adaptation or modification of

traditional tunes and traditional musical instruments to inject a

more contemporary element.

 

Sur Sudha began with musical tune from Terai. They also performed new

musical tunes based on Jhinjheti Raag and Bhairavi Raag gave

fascinating performances with stunning skilled movements which is an

exciting and dynamic performances that seem strongly nationalistic in

nature came to end cool musical evening with a dazzling performance,

which made audience hotter, of the very popular Kathmandu's

traditional song Rajamati's musical tunes.

 

Music is also a tool for adding something new to many fields of arts

and culture with its dynamism, Whether consciously or unconsciously.

People working in different fields of the arts have been pursuing

encounters between the arts, creating a clash or harmony between

genres, attempting to find coexistence and ultimately exploring all

the possibilities of expression and thereby expanding the territory

of art experiences by the general public.

 

As cultures are an integral part of promoting peace and friendship

among the people and countries, the exchange of cultural programmes

between the nations should be continued to flourish friendship and

goodwill at the people's level.

 

No doubt, the exciting performance provides a room for an opportunity

to strengthen cultural exchanges between the Western Pop cultural to

Eastern Raag cultural tuning.

 

American Ambassador to Nepal James F. Moriarty welcoming the musical

evening audience said that "This kind of performances proves to be a

truly meaningful and will definitely strengthen the cultural ties

between the people of both the countries."

 

Of courses, to establish an image, the media and performers' world is

conscious. And it's the artistes' choice whether to constantly

reinforce this image. Playing up to this persona ensures visibility

which in turn, ensures status.

 

Concentration in the imported musical fashion will never promote our

Nepalese musical and cultural values. Thus, thanks to the

farsightedness of our forefathers! Our music is still alive even in

an age of downward trend. We should not forget that our Nepalese

music is complete in all respects.

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