Cartoon: Ratna Sagar Shrestha/THT

Ups the fun quotient of any festival, makes you nostalgic and brings people together

 Festivals are joyous moments for me not just because of how they are celebrated and their significance, but also it feels like we can become children again and all the beautiful childhood memories can be relived again. We recently bid Dashain and Tihar farewell and Christmas is here. And music is a part of every such occasion. Unlike the trendy hits we listen to everyday which changes with time, each festival has its specific music and songs. These festivals’ music and songs have their own charm when we listen to them on such particular occasion.

I love to listen to Mangal Dhun during Dashain, Malshree Dhun and Bhailini Aain Aangana on Laxmi Puja, old Nepali Holi songs on Holi and Jingle Bells during Christmas. These songs actually gives notion that the festival season is on — it is how songs have been part of our every emotion and part of the celebrations.

— Anonymous

 Brought up in a Christian household, I anticipate the arrival of Christmas as soon as winter begins. It is the same with Dashain and Tihar which I love and enjoy with my extended non-Christian family — breaking the stereotype I accept rato tika from elders and illuminate my house with multi-coloured candles and oil lamps during Tihar. Christmas is that time of the year that makes me come alive with enthusiasm and positive energy. Beautiful Christmas decorations in every nook and corner, decorated wreaths on every door and window and the four-week wait for the advent to welcome baby Jesus in our hearts in a manger of our prayers and sufferings, Christmas for me is not just a festival where I can hum to the tune of Jingle Bells and Joy to the World.

I am a student of Social Work and I stay in a hostel in Lalitpur. On December 15, the members of The Assumption Church had come for Christmas carol at our hostel. They tuned their guitars and drums to the tune of carols. And as soon as they hit the tune of Silent Night I began to feel nostalgic. I remembered how I used to sing in the choir every Christmas. And soon enough I felt the tears stinging my eyes because I was missing Christmas celebrations back home in Pokhara. These festive songs do not only give peace to one’s mind and bring serene tranquillity to the prayerful environment, but they hold the power to make one nostalgic in the fraction of a second. It can make you reminiscence over your wonderful past. It holds the power to take you back to the ecstatic moments you had. In a nutshell, music and hymns are an integral part of any culture and without them I fail to imagine the colourful festivals we now celebrate.

— Maria Hitang, Nakkhu, Lalitpur

 I love music as well as the songs of Dashain which have been a part of the most popular festival of Nepal for centuries. The lyrics of the song go like this — Bhawani ko bhayo puja, Chalyo anandako barsha. This is the main song of Dashain. Everyone likes it for certain reasons because no other song has been able to take its place and this will not happen for years to come.

— Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar, Baneshwor

 Songs are integral part of our celebrations. With the arrival of Dashain, Malati Dhun is heard all over TV and radio. Diyo Bali Sanjh Ko is played repeatedly during Tihar. Every time I hear Bhailini Aayin, I get nostalgic as we used to dance to that song when we were children while singing Bhailo. And the lok dohori songs remind me of Teej. Such songs are played all over during Teej, and the women have no option but to put on their favourite dance shoes. Back in school, our teachers taught us Saraswati Slok during Saraswati Puja, and we sang that slok in front of the assembly.

Songs especially related to a particular occasion give us a lifetime of memories, and quite often make us emotional by taking us back to our nostalgic past.

— Smriti Dahal, Sydney

 Music has always been an integral part of my life. I think music and festivals are related to each other — one is merely meaningless in the absence of other. The importance of festivals cannot be felt without the rhythm of music. If we tend or try to celebrate festivals without music, it becomes too boring while if any festival oriented song is played at any time, it feels like we are eating non-seasonal food. Be it Christmas or Dashain, music has always had a prominent role in its celebration. The Mangal  Malshree Dhun of Dashain is touching and you get goosebumps when you listen to them during the occasion. Similarly, all other festivals have their own signature music without which the festivals become meaningless.

— Nirmal Aryal

 Music is a way to express our inner persuasion in the form of a song. Usually people sing a song to convey their inner notions. Malshree Dhun played during Dashain is my favourite song. I love to listen to this song and it started since my childhood. This song is full of love, light, peace et cetera. It doesn’t have any lyrics which is the best part for me to get into it. Whenever I listen to it, I feel fresh from all tedious job.

— Sunita Bhattarai, Kavre

 I am a music lover. I always listen to music after waking up and before going to bed. When it comes to festival songs and music, I love the theme, the voice and the lyrics of festival songs. For instance, I find Tihar songs entertaining and Christmas songs pleasing. Such songs create fascination and attraction and add meaning towards the celebration. I’m not a Christian but I like to listen to Jingle Bells.

— Subhamitta

 Music has played an integral role in our lives since its inception. It has been an effective medium to express every colour of emotion, also connecting people regardless of caste, class, age, sex, race, religion or culture. Moreover, in every possible aspect, music plays an enormous role in my celebration whether it is through simply listening, singing or dancing. It soothes my ears rejuvenating the state of my mind and making me go with the flow in every beat of the rhythm. On that note, if there is any song that reminds me of Christmas it would be Jingle Bells. Meanwhile, Mangal Dhun reminds me of Dashain because of its Nepali folk tune that is often played during Dashain.

— Sonam Lama, Boudha

 Music has a healing power to my mind and body. It gives me company in loneliness and energises me during boredom. Some songs provide inspiration to do something, while some tell stories. And some music reminds me about the festivals. Our every festival has given importance to music and dance, be it Dashain, Tihar, Teej or any other festival/occasion. Among these, Malashree Dhun always comes first in my list. Every time I listen to this piece of music, it reminds me of Dashain. Till I listen to this song, it doesn’t feel like Dashain. During this time, this music is played everywhere on radio, TV. Some people even put it as a ringtone and caller ring back tone. Similarly, there are lots of Bhailo and Deusi songs and Bhailini song from Nepali movie Sworga and Nidharama Lagayara Saptarangi Tika from the Nepali movie Bijaya Parajaya remind me of Tihar. Music possesses a great power — it is the source of entertainment for every occasion.

— Sulochana Panta, Kavre

 Music is something that adds flavour and a beautiful touch to any particular festival and its moment. And if you find the perfect music for your perfect moment, it makes you feel good and comfortable. Music makes you feel loved when you are alone, it makes you dance in your happiness and cheers you up in your heartbreaks. Especially in holidays when even the air is cheerful music works as an addition to the happiness, joy and makes you feel festive.

— Anonymous

 My favourite festive music is Malshree Dhun which is related to Dashain — the biggest festival of Hindus. Dashain is my favourite festival and I enjoy playing this dhun on the piano as well, for which I had struggled long to learn. It also reminds me of the various fanfare which I did during Dashain celebrations in my village. It is played after Indra Jatra, which signals the end of the monsoon and the start of autumn season.

This dhun has now become a part of our national culture and it is widely played during Dashain. It is not only famous among the Hindu people, but it is also loved by the people of other religions and cultures all over the country. It is a melancholic tune. It also symbolises peace and understanding between people in the time of festive moods. As it is soft and melodious, I like this Malshree Dhun as compared to other dhun/songs.

— Prabuddha Kandel, Shankhamul, Kathmandu

 I have always been inquisitive about music of all genres. Celebration is incomplete without music. Right from birthday celebration to musical galas to various functions, music is everywhere, especially during the time of Dashain festival. Artiste

Sugam Pokharel has composed a special Dashain and Tihar song — Dashain Tihar and I play it on my

mobile umpteen times. Listening to this song makes me feel that Dashain has started and it adds to zeal to the whole festival.

— Abhishek Gautam

 The modern trend of celebrating almost every social, cultural and religious festival is hugely influenced by musical practice/setting. The reason for preference of music in our celebrations cannot be any other except making it more fun-filled, entertaining and glamorous. Playing music and entertaining is so obvious during each festive event. At present, it is observed that music and celebration are interrelated entities in our social practices. Different songs played in relation to any festive celebration remind people to be ready in soul, mind and heart to involve in festive atmosphere. The songs that manifest our celebrations, indeed, soothe our human anguish and drive us into merriment. The pleasant moment full of songs and music around us evoke everyone to

be delightful to enjoy the occasion. Everyone is overwhelmed with strong enthusiasm of festive mood when they happen to listen to music that betokens a special celebration. So it is genuine to opine that music has stronger influence upon our familial occasion to national event. As a result music has so intimate bond to our gala days. A film song Tiharai Aayo Lau Jhilimili for me is so moving that it takes me back to my village and its illuminated settings. I remember, we got many of our junior sisters to rehearse in the same song every year during Deepawali. We used to play the same song house after house to begin our Bahilo-Deusi programme formally. This song of Tihar saturates a life to the old fading memories of my past. The song resurrects my bygone days occupying my heart full of pleasure and solace. As soon as I listen to the song being played on the eve of Deepawali, I act as if the countdown has begun to meet my childhood friends to share those old reminiscences. It’s all about a lasting impression that the song has left in my mind till date.

— Padam Rai, Jaljale, Uadaypur

 Enjoying with friends, relatives and family is the best thing about any celebration. Festivals bring people together and to enjoy it collectively. Such celebrations bring happiness, joy and big smiles on our faces. Listening to music, dancing to them and singing add to such celebration. Such activities have become an important part of festivals nowadays. Without dancing and singing, our festival is incomplete and they usually bring magic and excitement in the festival.

During festivals, I can’t stop myself from dancing while my father joins me. Slowly, other family members join in the dance making that festival memorable and fun-filled. Dancing to songs like Lolipop, or Thamel Bazar or break-up songs just adds soul to the celebration. Meanwhile, listening to songs like Lali Joban Kalo Kesh reminds me of Tihar and Jingle Bells remind me of Christmas.

— Anonymous

 Music is inevitable in our life. Life without music is like a body without soul. According to science, music is that sort of sound which gives pleasant sensation to hearing. But, music is not only the one as explained in this definition but it is like an impetus which makes us spiritually and mentally happy. So, any celebration of festival becomes soulless without music. These celebrations get life only in

the presence of music. Imagine birthday party of your six-year-old baby without chorus of Happy Birthday To You! The birthday party would be lifeless.

Moreover, music is also used in healing many psychological disorders. Music relaxes us and helps us in controlling stress that makes our life easier and happier. Once I had attended a class of Art of Living — a meditation class where we are explained how the meditation and happiness are connected to each other. I learned most of the meditation techniques and tried in my home. However, I couldn’t feel as relaxed and mentally happy as I did in the class. I was worried what went wrong? But now, I have an answer — at the class, we had mediated in the presence of music but I was doing meditation without music at my home.  In the nutshell, music makes our life worthy and happy and it gives us vigour to become alive.

— Kamal Kanta Dhungel, Jhapa

 While music is a part and parcel of all Nepali festivities, the one that captures hearts and minds are the pulsating, thumping drum and cymbal beats during the Gai Jatra revelry in Bhaktapur. Dashain, an orgy of animal sacrifice, and Tihar, the festival of artificial lights, do not exactly fill our hearts and minds with music, at least not mine. But Gai Jatra carnival is in a different league altogether for musical extravaganza, like Woodstock 69. I also enjoy music appropriate to festivals and situations. For example, I listen to Wham’s Last Christmas during Christmas, Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday during my birthday, Rod Stewart’s Sailing While Hopping

on Flights to Meet my Sweetheart during my carefree days and Snoop Dogg’s songs to drive away people that I detest.

— Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

 This season is all about Christmas and New Year. Especially on Christmas I always go to church and have lots of fun by praying, singing, and dancing. Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas are the best songs that I listen to during this festival and these songs remind me of my childhood days. Music plays a great role while celebrating Christmas. I can’t enjoy any occasion like birthday, new year, and Christmas without music. So, music usually plays a significant role to make any festival more fun.

— Suren Rana Magar, Dhankuta

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

At some point in your life, you may have made/ or wanted to make a life-altering decision to start anew. You may just want to try out new things or start a new life because you have reached rock bottom, or simply because you want a change. Whatever the case, the beginning of a new year feels like a chance to start anew. And with New Year 2017 approaching, would you like begin a new life? What

aspect of your life — career, relationship, home, family or anything else — would you want to change completely? Why? Illustrate.

­Send your replies in not more than 200 words by Friday, December 30 by 2:00 pm to Features Department, The Himalayan Times, e-mail:  features@thehimalayantimes.com