Folk Musical Instrument of Nepal
Subject: Social Studies
Overview
The music which is played during an event like jatras, fairs, festivals, ceremony, etc is called folk music. Folk music is related to a particular place, race, religion and culture, etc. This note has information on the folk musical instrument of Nepal.Folk Musical Instrument of Nepal
Folk musical instrument
The music which is played during an event like jatras, fairs, festivals, ceremony, etc is called folk music. It is also played along with folk songs. Folk music is related to a particular place, race, religion and culture, etc. Generally, the folk musical instrument is made using the locally available means and materials. Madal, Sarangi, Jhyali, Sankha, etc are some examples of folk musical instruments.
Along with folk songs, various musical instruments are also played in different festivals, jatras and ceremonies in Nepal. Like folk songs, the musical instrument also differs according to place, race, religion and culture.
A brief introduction of musical instrument played in Nepal is given below:
Madal: Madal is one of the most popular musical instruments of the Nepalese community. This musical instrument was first used by Magar community. Later on, it gained popularity throughout the country. It is made by making a big hole in a piece of thick log and it's both open sides are covered with skin. It is carried around the waist and played with both hands.
Sarangi: Sarangi is a traditional musical instrument introduced by Gandarva community of Kaski district which is made by khiri wood. It has four wires and is played by rubbing a bow on the wires. The people of the Gandarva community play the Sarangi along with their own local songs that talk about various incidents that happened in the country.
Flute (Bansuri/Murali): It is made by making a hole in a small piece of hollow bamboo pipe. It is a popular musical instrument throughout the country. It is played by blowing air with the help of our mouth.
Jhyali/Jhyamta: It is one of the musical instruments of Panchai Baja. It is made of bronze metal. It is played with our both hands.
Narasingha: It is also one of the musical instruments of Panchai Baja which is made of copper. It is long and curved like a half circle.
Sahanai: It is also a part of Panchai Baja. It is made of metal and played by blowing air with our mouth.
Nagara/Damaha: It is one of the musical instruments of Panchai Baja. It is made of copper and covered by leather.
Tyamko: It is also a part of Panchai Baja. It is like Nagara but small in size.
Sankha: It is made up of a large shell of the conch found in the sea and ocean. It is played by blowing air with our mouth. It is played during puja and other religious ceremonies of the Hindus. It is also blown when the dead body is taken to ghat for cremation.
Dholak: It is made of wood which is hollow inside and covered with leather.
Dhyangro: It is used by witch doctor like Dhami-jhankri and made by wood and leather.
Damphu: This musical instrument is used in Tamang community and made by covering the wood with leather.
Dafali: It is used in Terai region of the Mid-West and village in Mithila. It is a circular wooden frame with one side covered with leather. It is played during Holi festival.
Murchunga: It is made of iron and it produces the sound like Binayo. It is also popular among the Kiranti people.
Pung: It is made of the horn of an ox and is popular among the Kirant community of solu area.
Khaichandi: It is made of wood covered with skin and is played when Roila, Balana, etc are songs are sung. It is also played during Bhajan-kritan by Hindus.
Pungi: It is made by coconut shell and a hollow bamboo pipe. It is played in the terai to show the snake dance.
Yalamber: It is made of bamboo with two wires. It is used by Kirant community.
Tunga: This is a popular musical instrument used in the Himalayan region. It is made from rhododendron and has four wires like the Sarangi.
Ekatare: It is used by the sages and ascetics. It is made of wood, leather and string.
So, these are the folk musical instruments which are found in Nepalese community. These musical instruments are in the mouth of extinction. Thus, the government of Nepal should take effective measures to solve such problems.
Causes of extinction of Folk musical instruments:
1. The impact of western Culture.
2. Lack of institutes and training sectors.
3. Less scope for its use.
4. Lack of public awareness about its importance.
Measures to preserve folk musical instruments:
1. The musical instruments which are in a condition of being extinct should be included in the curriculum and taught in schools and colleges.
2. The active role of Government.
3. Mass awareness about its importance.
4. Conduct folk musical competition time to time.
Things to remember
- The music which is played during an event like jatras, fairs, festivals, ceremony, etc is called folk music. Madal, Sarangi, Jhyali, Sankha, etc are some examples of folk musical instruments.
- Madal is one of the most popular musical instruments of the Nepalese community.
- Sarangi is a traditional musical instrument introduced by Gandarva community of Kaski district which is made by khiri wood.
- It includes every relationship which established among the people.
- There can be more than one community in a society. Community smaller than society.
- It is a network of social relationships which cannot see or touched.
- common interests and common objectives are not necessary for society.
Videos for Folk Musical Instrument of Nepal
bansuri flute music - madal - by binod katuwal
Folk Musical Instruments of Nepal
How to play madal.
How to play Shankha?
Murchunga playing
Nepali Folk Instruments
Playing The Sarangi
Questions and Answers
A cultural festival is going to be organized in your district. There is contradiction among the people on who to invite: foreign singer or local folk singer in the programme. Which side do you take? Write your opinion in four points.
Since a cultural festival is going to be organized in my district, but there is a contradiction among the people on who to invite foreign singer or local folk singer in the programme in this condition. I would choose the local folk singer because:
- The local folk singer is familiar with local communities and performs the songs according to the interest of local people.
- The local folk singer is well known to be the advance and he is easily understood by them.
- The local folk singer uses the folk musical instruments and he supports local talent to perform his songs along with the local dances.
- The local singer either sings voluntarily or he sings in low cost which can be a good support to the organizer.
What is folk music? Write in brief.
The traditional music that is played during event, jatras, festivals, etc. are called folk music. Folk music is associated with a particular place, caste, religion, event etc. It is named after the famous persons of a caste or its shape or the tune is produced. The folk musical instruments are made using the local materials. The manufacturing and way of playing such musical instruments differs from one musical instrument to another. Folk music is mandatory while singing folk song.
What sorts of song, music and dance do you expect to be transmitted in Nepalese electronic media? Write your opinion with reasons in four points.
As a regular listener/viewer of electronic media, I except to be transmitted the typical folk songs and patriotic songs. This is because:
- They help to pass down tradition and culture of people to other and spread good thoughts regarding their importance.
- They help to bring people together and tell people a message of unity and equality.
- They are based on the issues that people feel and experience by which good and bad aspects of society are debated among the people.
- Feeling of nationalism and unity among the dissatisfied people grows in the society.
Some folk instruments are in the condition of being extinct. What should be done to preserve such musical instruments? Discuss in groups and write.
Yes, some of the folk instruments are at the state of peril. We should apply the following measures to preserve such musical instruments:
- Government should establish a store-place for the preservation of folk instruments.
- Government should foster concerned group of people for the use of such musical instrument.
- INGO and NGO should be encouraged to carry on research and observe the folk musical instrument of Nepal.
- The practice of musical instrument which are at the age of extinction should be increased.
- The tune of endangered folk musical instrument should be recorded and preserved.
"Folk music represents the culture of a certain place or race." Justify the statement with your arguments.
A group of students proposed to sing folk songs, music and folk dance in a cultural programme that is going to be organized in your school. But another group of students opposed that such old music and song should not be included in the programme. What suggestions do you give to such students? Mention any four suggestions in points.
- Nepali folk music and dances are our originalities. They have to be preserved and promoted for the sake of new generation.
- A country is rich through one's own unique art and culture. They have to be given emphasis.
- A limited modern youngster will enjoy to the western type of cultural performance but maximum prefer those Nepali folk music and dances.
- We have to encourage the performance and the artists according to their interest. The growing western interests should be demotivated by emphasis on one's folk instruments and dances.
Folk musical instruments reflect Nepalese folk culture. But nowadays the condition of such musical instruments is declining. Why? Write any four reasons that cause to decline the condition of folk musical instruments.
- The old folk musical instruments are made up of old, rough materials, they are felt uneasy to be carried or used.
- The uses of these old instruments are either almost dead or they are rarely found in the rural areas, so they may be out of use.
- The city dwellers and the young generation musical lovers find easy.
Our folk musical instruments are being disappeared. State any four ways for preservation of folk music.
Our country Nepal is a small country. From Mechi to Mahakali, there are various tribes of ethnic groups. They have unique cultural identities. In various occasions they use different folk music and folk instruments. These days the foreign and modern instruments and musical trends have occupied a wide range of impression and popularity. Our folk music and music instruments are our identities. They help making known about our culture, art. Such as our Murchunga, Madal, Sarangi, Tyamko, Damaha, Narsingha, Dhyangro etc. to preserve them following things can be done-
- The art academy should be established and made active enough to coordinate and organize various programmes.
- Regionally or nationally, the competitions should be held so as to arouse interest and attraction over them.
- In the school level curriculum the facility of folk music and musical instruments should be introduced and programmes should be organized.
- Artists related to this field should be encouraged, supported and mobilized to contribute this sector from the government.
Quiz
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