KATHMANDU: After I die, there will be no one to play the nagara in Panauti,” said Ganesh Duwal. He was here in the Capital for a folk musical instrument workshop conducted by Nepal Music Centre (NMC) on May 5.

Duwal has been playing the nagara for the last 46 years, however, he said the new generation is reluctant to learn to play it as they think it belongs to the older generation.

Although the origin of nagara is not clear, Duwal relates its history and origin to the Malla period. Nagara is a kettledrum played in pairs by two sticks. The drum pair is also known as joh nagara and is accompanied by several other folk instruments like chhusyah or sichhya and muhali. Duwal said nagara solo is played during Baisakh Purnima.

At the workshop Khim Bahadur Gandarva and Karna Gandarva from Pokhara spoke about the origin and current status of arbajo and sarangi respectively. At the same workshop Rajendra Lal Karna from Janakpur shared the status and history of the dholak.

Khim Gandarva, who is 74, said the arbajo folk musical instrument has been played from Satyayug till date. But today only some play it. “No one tries to understand the importance of such folk instruments,” he said.

Karan Gandarva was the one with an optimistic view about the status of sarangi.

“Earlier people used to discard sarangi players by giving them low status in society, but these days more people are aware about the importance of music and musicians. People are also eager to learn to play the instrument and there are many who can play sarangi well these days.”

Rajendra Lal Karna shared the dholak originated in India during the 15th century. “Many think it is an instrument played in India only. But dholak is played in Tarai in special occasions like Sama Chakhewa, Chhat, Jhijhiya and other festivities, and the pattern is different from the one played in India.”

However, he said, “It is on the verge of extinction as there is no formal studies. No musician or music scientist has scientifically studied on developing the notes and the patterns of playing this instrument.”

“It is our responsibility to save these folk instruments,” said Jason Kunwar, event manager of NMC. “It’s like saving an endangered species from being extinct.”

The workshop ended with Karna playing dholak accompanied by flautist Rubin Shrestha of Kutumba.