Kathmandu:

Like the seven notes of music the seven members in perfect harmony of their instruments and the soulful tunes, play the symphony that each and every Nepali can identify with. They have brought a whole new dimension to how traditional music and instruments are perceived by people, especially youngsters today. All the seven members of the renowned traditional instrumental band Kutumba have contributed in preserving and promoting traditional music of Nepal and the way there are leading their mission they have been successful in bringing the much needed change. All the band members in their twenties have proved that playing traditional music can be cool and definitely something to be proud about.

The band consists of seven very talented musicians — Arun Manandhar (tungna), Pavit Maharjan (percussion), Raju Maharjan (percussion), Rashil Palanchoke (sarangi), Rubin Kumar Shrestha (flute), Binay (Bsar) Maharjan (flute) and Siddhartha Maharjan (effects). Their journey begins from the time Rashil, Arun and Pavit were friends who used to jam up together playing western music. When they got involved in the monthly musical event Sukravar at Patan Museum that took place every last Friday of the month, they met Raju and Rubin. The common passion for music brought them together and soon they were discussing and playing music together. “There we met Suresh (flute) and Sambhu (effects) who were previous members of the band. After they left Binay and Siddharth joined us. At that time there were traditional, classical musicians and fusion music makers but rarely you found a group that was involved in playing only traditional music that today’s generation can identify with and make musical innovations that suits the present context so we decided to come up with a band and here we are,” says Rashil. The very distinctive name Kutumba for the band was suggested by Pavit. “Kutumba means family and as music brought us together and related us we decided to keep it as our band name,” informs Pavit.

But they don’t think that their quest for traditional music has ended, they are still searching for unknown musical geniuses and instruments that are in the verge of extinction. Recently they went to Banepa and Panauti in search of such talents and they were successful in finding some. “We are still learning so much, there are so many traditional musical instruments of different cultures and we still are in search of more. The process never ends and that is what makes our work even more exciting and interesting. We are always trying to find and learn about such music and give them a hint of modern flavour,” says Rubin. Adding to Rubin’s statement Rashil says, “Many instruments are on its way to extinction, people are playing less thus hearing less, no one is paying attention so we are doing whatever we can from our side and letting people hear the tunes and sounds that were long forgotten.”

They practice 3 to 4 days a week early in the morning and right now they are working on their new album. They already have three albums already — Naulo Bihani, Folk Roots and Kutumba — in their hands. The band members say that they share a very friendly relation with each other. “We usually hangout together and the best part is that none of us carry any grudges or ego hassles, we share our thoughts and opinions,” says Arun. Well known for their terrific stage presence they also enjoy performing live. “We liked the ambience and the feedback we received at the concert organised at Thimi,” says Arun, on which Pavit quips, “And that’s the time people asked for autographs from us.”

If you have not heard their music and if you

have not seen them performing live on stage you are missing something magical in your life. So this year take up a late resolution to make it to at least one concert of this tremendously talented band.