Kathmandu:

Kina runchha Sarangi — a song that talks about this musical instrument’s cry for recognition and preservation opened the closing ceremony of Music of the Gods, a three-day event organised by UNESCO featuring the musical talents of Badi, Damai and Gandarba castes of Nepal. This song of Khim Bahadur Gandarba is also a tale of the plight of Gandarbas who are the masters of sarangi. With lines like Nepali lai chinaune sarangi ko dhuna, swades ko gahana lai samrakchan garaun rajan (sarangi’s tunes symbolises Nepali culture and this heritage should be preserved), the singer who has spent his life singing sent out a message to preserve this culture which is dying along with its masters.

The musical talents of these communities have always been integral part of every function with their music being considered auspicious. However, the so called social categorisation has made it difficult for these people to improve their standard of living.

Also with the changing times their art is under threat and this particular event provided a platform to these artistes so that they themselves can reach out to people. Most of

the Nepalis know about sarangi but with this event they got to listen to the authentic tunes, the way it has been played since time immemorial.

The second day of the event held at the Music Museum of Nepal in Tripureshwor saw a traditional wedding dance of Damai caste and also a performance by Panchai bajaa group. Panchai bajaa is a must for all rituals and ceremonies in various cultures of Nepal.

Meanwhile a documentary titled Wada no 9 was also screened during the closing ceremony. This was the first public screening of this documentary made by the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalist in association with Danish Embassy.

In Bajhang Dalits have been given Ward number 9 so that they community can live separately as they are considered untouchables. The documentary showed how superstition and social norms have made life difficult for these people. The major source of income in this area is yarchagumba but Dalits were told that if they go into the mountains, the Goddess there would be angry and they would die. But recently a team of 18 Dalits went there and the documentary shows a young man happily talking about how they broke the superstition.

The musical performance included the rendition of Sri Swasthani Katha, an ensemble of mythological stories and a series of performance depicting the various traditional songs and dances which are part of wedding ceremony. The audience not only go to hear some of the popular folk song but also got to know the origin and story behind those songs.

Minister of General Administration Pampha Bhusal who graced the closing ceremony said, “In earlier times Gandarbas used to spread news and incidents happening in the villages through their songs and now this medium has become a cultural heritage of our country”.

An exhibition of traditional musical instruments held at the Music Museum of Nepal also showcased various instruments that are testament to the history of Nepali music.

The event was co-organised by Creative Statements and supported by Music Museum of Nepal, Gandarba Culture and Arts Organisation and Ministry of Culture.