I am confident that this will be a lot helpful because you don't get such information or slide on any other website. I, myself had a problem finding resources while making this presentation. I made this presentation for the "Music" course while studying in HACC Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This presentation describes about music, musical history, festivals, and traditions about Nepal along with some interesting facts and demographics of Nepal. If you need any help, you can email me at:utsab1905@gmail.com.

1. Utsab Pokharel

2. Nepal
Area= 56,827 sq. miles
(67 times smaller than U.S.A)
Population: 29.14 million
(301.86 million less people than U.S.A)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal
Major language: Nepali (More than 128 other
languages are spoken)

3.  Capital : Kathmandu
 Shares border with two big countries: India and China.
 Religions: Hinduism(81.3%), Buddhism(9%), Muslims(4.4%), Kirants(3%),
Christian(1.4%), and others.
 With more than 100 ethnicities, the music of Nepal is highly dispersed
phenomenon.
 The largest mountain of the world “Mt. Everest” is in Nepal. Also, 8 out of 10
highest mountains of the world are in Nepal.
 Nepal is the only country in the modern world that does not have a
rectangular national flag.
 There’s a festival in Nepal every year where they worship dogs for being their
friend.

4. History of Nepal
 Prithvi Narayan Shah unified different kingdoms into a single Nepal ( also used to be called as “Gurkha Kingdom”) in 1775 AD. Before that,
each kingdoms used to have its own King and Queen.
 Nepal was ruled by different dynasties up to 1846 AD. On 14 September 1846, the General of Army, Jung Bahadur Rana and his brothers
killed about 40 members of the Nepalese palace court including the Prime Minister and a relative of the King at the palace armory of
Kathmandu. This led to the loss of the power by King and the establishment of the Rana autocracy.
 Ranas ruled Nepal for the time period of 104 years. They were known for “Iron-fisted rule”. In 1951, first people's movement took place in
charge of different political parties and leaders which resulted as the end of Rana regime. Finally, Nepalese people got democracy and were
given Right to vote.
 Nepal was later ruled by Shah dynasty. But on the night of 1 June 2001, Royal Massacre took place inside the palace during a gathering,
where 10 members from Royal family were killed by mass shooting ( murderers still unknown!!). The brother of belated king sat on the
throne.
 In June 2008, King Gyanendra bir bikram shah left the palace to begin life as a civilian as a result of People’s movement 2nd ,and hence
declaring Nepal as a Federal Republic.

5. Musical History
 Medieval era:
Newari Music developed and flourished during this era. The Malla kings were known for their
interest in arts. Drama created during those eras is accompanied by music. Dāpā music, a type of
Newari bhajan is believed to have originated in this era.
 Modern history
The modern history is a very short one. At times when big and private music companies where
mushrooming the Western cities, Kathmandu got its first radio station, Radio Nepal in the year
1952. Since then Radio Nepal has expanded to become the dominant radio station all over the
country, which helped in the uprising of many key figures in the field, notably Natikaji, Narayan
Gopal, and Jhalak Man Gandarva, and in the female arena Koili Devi Mathema, Tara Devi, Aruna
Lama.
o Adhunik Geet: (Adhunik : Modern, Geet: Song)
Adhunik Geet is nothing but popular music rolling across the country. It is soulful music soothing
the soul. There are two types of Adhunik geet- one being soft, the other being melodious. songs.
It was the most famous genre during 70s and 80s and can be grouped closer to Nepali pop music.
o Folk music:
Like any other country's folk music, the folk music of Nepal is quite interesting. Many musicians
make a living through classical music classes and concerts. It exists in all its glory and hopes to
never lose its popularity . Kutumba is the most famous folk band of Nepal.
o Nepali pop music:
Nepali pop music got famous in 90’s with an explosion of young artists on the scene, struck a
chord with its primary audience, which was youths. It was the most famous genre at that time.
Earlier modes of pop music borrowing typically involve timbral, rhythmic and melodic adaptations
of both indigenous and foreign materials. Om Bikram Bista’s “Ma mauntama” is the first Nepali
pop song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLr3LVxcx64

6. Musical Instruments:
• Panchhe Baja
• Bansuri
• Sarangi
• Tungna
• Dhimay
• Maadal

7. PANCHHE BAJA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=882cb6M
t9dM
• A set of five traditional Nepali musical
instruments (Panch: five, Baja: musical
instrument).
• Played during holy ceremonies, especially
marriages.
• Panche baja are usually played by
the Damai and the Gaine of Nepal.
• Five instruments include : Jhyampta
(Jhurma), Damaha, Tyamko, Sanai and
Narshingha.

8. Gandharva’s Sarangi::
 It is a chordophone made up of a single piece of
wood.
 It consists of four strings. The original strings were
made up of sheep intestine. However these days,
badminton strings, nylon and steel strings have
generally replaced gut strings.
 It is played by pressing the strings slightly with their
fingers of the left hand and bowing the strings with
right hand.
 Traditionally in Nepal, the Sarangi was only played by
people of Gandharva caste, who sing narrative tales
and folk song.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjGeSuTRj
Sg

9. NEPALI
BANSURI
 Bans: Bamboo & Sur: Musical note
 The pitch and sound of the Bansuri depend on the length and thickness of the
bamboo used.
 The length of the Bansuri is normally between two-and-a-half feet to less than
three feet, depending upon the thickness of the wall and the density of the
bamboo. Long bansuris have a rich, deep and mellow tone whereas in small
bansuris, the tone is high pitched.
What makes it different from western flutes ?
• bansuri is on the diatonic scale whereas the classical Western flute is on the
chromatic scale.
• Western flute has keys which need to be adjusted to play all 12 notes whereas in
bansuri you have to adjust your finger positioning for same 12 notes.
• Bansuri even with its highest scale has a more husky sound than exactly same
notes of a western flute.
• Bansuri is just a bamboo with holes. So, it doesn’t need maintenance or tuning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
1d4GpM9M8aQ

10. Tungna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14FWxqSDQJY
• A plucked String traditional Instrument played by the people of Himalayan belt.
• It is made from a single carved piece of wood and topped with a skin.
• They usually have 4 strings.
• Gurung, Tamang, Sherpa, Bhutia and Tibetan are some communities who play this
instrument during different festival, occasion and gatherings.

11. Dhimay:
 k
 Two-sided drum that belongs to to the category of
double-headed cylindrical membranophone. Two heads
made up of goat skin.
 Diameter: 40-51 inches
 Length: 17-21 inches
 Left side (Mankhah) is played by hand.
 Right side (Nasah) is played with thin stick, which is
usually made up of cane.
 Two different sides of the drum makes two different kind
of sounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbzKy0NGqJY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Hfr0vLOS0

12. MAADAL
 Madal is a typical
 Nepalese percussion
instrument.
 Maadal is used mainly for
rhythm-keeping in Nepali
folk music.
 The Madal consists of a
cylindrical body with a slight
bulge at its center and
heads at both ends, one
head larger than the other.
 Playing technique involves
rhythmic striking of either of
the heads at each end with
the palm of the hand.
 https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=OtFiW0MAEAk

13. Festivals
 “Deusi and Bhailo” on Tihar Festival:
o Tihar is also known as festival of light.
o Deusi is sung by Male whereas Bhailo is sung by Female members
of the team.
o People of all age sing these songs and dance as they go to various
homes in their community, collecting money, sweets and food and
giving blessings for peace, progress and prosperity.
o People are usually dressed in different traditional costumes.
o At the end of these songs, the woman of the house serves food
and gives money to these Deusi/Bhailo singers and dancers. In
return, the Deusi/Bhailo team gives blessings for the prosperous
life of entire family member.
o Different traditional instruments such as Bansuri, Maadal, and
Jhyali are played.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COzbZRzu7ng
 Holi : The festival of colors
o Holi is celebrated for the victory of good over evil and the coming
of spring.
o During this colorful festival, Nepalese and foreign tourists will
throw each other with dry powder and colored water to express
their sincere blessings and good wishes.
o Durbar Square and the surrounding streets turn into a sea of
waters, colors and music. Also, different big celebrities of Nepal
performs on stage in Durbar square of Kathmandu.
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeMOJejNWQ4

14. FAMOUS NAMES IN MUSIC OF NEPAL
NARAYAN GOPAL:
Emperor of Voice in Nepal.
Also known as Tragedy King.
Genre : Various, mostly
Adhunik
https://youtu.be/PrtS9bkXT
GQ
NATI KAJI:
o Original name: Amrit Lal
Shrestha
o Composed over 2000 songs.
o Genre : Various, mostly
classical
o He is credited for over 15
operas, such as Pijada ko Suga,
Kunjani, Prithvi Narayan Shah ka
Char Pakchhya.
o https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=GuKnz6FYJaE

15. NEPATHYA:
o known for blending folk melodies with modern western-
influenced rock music
o One of the most famous band of Nepal.
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpeFXed4K6I
TARA DEVI
o Also known as the "nightingale of Nepal“
o Much of her music revolved around the themes of
patriotism and love.
o Almost every lady singer in Nepal is heavily influenced by
Tara Devi in one way or another.
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRliRzXlpqQ

16. Nabin K. Bhattarai:
o Nabin K Bhattarai is considered to be the first real pop-star and one of the greatest pop
singers of the country with an enormous fan following.
o In the 90s, Bhattarai was titled the ‘King of Nepali pop’ by various media outlets.
“Timi hau lakhon ko dhadkan” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9lFxdIUNmI
KUTUMBA:
o instrumental folk Nepali band.
o only uses Nepalese traditional musical instruments.
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2mqenEfewg

17. NEPALI RAP & YAMA BUDDHA:
o The most popular rapper of Nepal.
o Creator of Rap Battle show in
Nepal
o His songs are focused on the
problems faced by Nepali society
o Rap music is one of the most
famous genre currently in Nepal.
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=_IFk3GB91G0
DYING OUT FLAME
o A Vedic death metal band.
o DoF’s music accompanied by eastern classical influence, Hindu Vedic
mantras, clean vocal mixed with growls, complex time changes, lead and
rhythm guitar acrobatics and frequent eastern classical breakdowns.
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBHE8B3ruP4

18. “Aago ko jhilko” by Chirag Khadka (555)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBYCshBl-k8
“Manmagaan” by Deepak Bajhracharya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0GOxBvHNNg

19. THE END
धन्यवाद

20. Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Nepal
https://www.holidify.com/pages/music-of-nepal-2113.html
https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2019/03/02/five-nepali-pop-icons-who-feed-90s-nostalgia
http://merolegacy.blogspot.com/2012/10/history-of-nepali-music.html
People thoughts on Rock music in earlier time explained by Swapnil Sharma:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAkKL4mULYA (From 4:32-)