Contents
Overview of Folk Songs In Nepal
Nepali society holds incredible importance for folk songs. They are sung for different events, celebrations, occasions, reties and other numerous customs. Folk songs are an important part of the cultural heritage of Nepal. They reflect the customs, traditions, and daily life of the Nepali people, and are an integral part of the country’s rich musical tradition.
Traditional and old songs that are sung by a specific group of people or community in their own local tunes with their special musical instruments are called folk songs.
A different group of peoples or communities have their own unique folk songs. Folk songs might differ from place to place. For example, folk songs of the people living in terai are different than that of people living in the mountain region. Folk songs also differ according to caste, creeds, culture, religion, etc.
Such folk songs hold a very important mark. Each and every folk song of a community has some values. Each and every folk song might have deep importance of happiness, joy, separation, history and so on.
Folk songs in Nepal are performed in various festivals, events, ceremonies, Jaatras, marriages, Bartbanda, and many other social and traditional rituals.
For example, people sing Deusi and Bhailo songs in Tihar. Women sing Teej songs in Teej. Asare songs are popular during the rainy seasons when farmers sow the paddy plants and so on.
In Nepal, different communities of different castes have their own folk songs. Different tradition, culture, customs results in different folk songs. Such as Chandi songs is sung by Rai peoples, Palam songs are sung by the Limbu peoples, Teej songs are sung by the Hindu women during Teej, Syabru songs are sung by the Sherpas peoples in the mountain, Selo songs are sung by the Tamangs, Kaura songs are sung by the Magar community and Karkha songs are sung by the Gandharva communities.
Folk Songs of Nepal Practiced In Different Parts
There are specific folk songs which are sung in different places of Nepal. The Hakpare folk song is sung in the eastern part of Nepal, Deuda song is sung in Doti and Hori, Salhes, Karikh, and Jhijhiya songs are sung in the Mithila region of Terai.
Some of The Names of Folk Songs In Nepal
Folk songs and Community
| Community | Folk Songs |
|---|---|
| Limbu | Palam |
| Gandharva | Karkha |
| Sherpa | Syabru |
| Magar | Kaura |
| Tamang | Selo |
| Hindu Women | Teej Songs |
| Rai | Chandi |
| Gurung | Sorathi |
Folk songs and Occasions
| Occasions | Folk Songs |
|---|---|
| Paddy Cultivation | Asare song |
| Teej | Teej songs |
| Dashain | Malashree song |
| Tihar (Deepawali) | Desui/Bhailo song |
| Udhauli/Ubhauli | Sakela silee |
| Wedding | Rattauli song |
| Christmas | Carol |
Folk songs and Regions
| Regions | Folk Songs |
|---|---|
| Far western province | Deuda |
| Salyan and Pyuthan | Nyaule song |
| Kathmandu Valley | Newari song |
| Gulmi and Palpa | Roila Jhyaure |
Modern Folk Songs In Nepal
With the pace of time and modernizing trends and technologies, folk songs of Nepal are also changing. There is no actual charm of the traditional folk song. Maybe folk songs in Nepal are seeking the professional way and are being money-oriented. This is something we have to alert about.
There are still some modern folk songs in Nepal that are able to keep the charm of traditional folk songs and at the same time give an amazing modern vibe. They are also called Lok Geet or Lok Dohori. One of the examples of a modern folk song can be Prakash Saput’s Galbandi.
Importance Of Folk Songs In Nepal
Folk songs have many advantages. Some of the importance of folk songs have been listed below.
- Folk songs hold a very important mark. Each and every folk song might have deep importance of happiness, joy, separation, history and so on.
- They work as an identity of a certain group or community.
- Such folk songs play a vital role in spreading happiness, joy, peace, and brotherhood.
- Folk songs play an important role in promoting tourism and gaining economic benefits.
- They act as a tool to preserve our history.
How to preserve folk songs?
With modernization and urbanization folks songs and music are being disappeared from Nepal. Such a disappearance of valuable cultural assets is very bad. Some of the methods that we can take to preserve folk songs have been listed below.
- Teach students about folk songs and music in school and colleges.
- Local institutions should conduct folk songs events and competition time and again.
- Media should not neglect the importance of folk songs.
- Family is the first school. Children can learn about folk songs from home.
Very short questions and answers.
What type of dance is Pancha Budhha Dance?
Pancha Budhha dance is performed in honor of the Pancha Buddhas (Five Budhhas). Dancers are decorated instinctive colors of the five Buddhas and depict their specific postures.
Write a role to be played by the provincial executive to preserve folk dance and music.
The provincial executive should frequently organize folk dance and folk music competition in order to preserve them.
Short question answers.
Give a short introduction to folk songs.
Folk songs are sung and originated in a particular community or a group. It has various features. It is accompanied by a group of traditional musical instruments. A particular type of dance is also performed with the folk song.
Folk songs and folk musical instruments together represent a particular community and give identity to them. They are sung in two occasions either in happy or on sad occasions. Folk songs are about love, betrayal, war oppression, and disasters. Many of our folk songs are oral in tradition. They root back to our ancient culture. Such folk songs and music totally give a unique identity to a particular culture.
“Folk songs are our identity”. Explain the statement.
Folk songs are our identity because they are sung according to the cultural tradition and lifestyle of the community. Such folk songs describe the place, people, fair, ritual, rites and occupations.
Every community and caste has their own folk songs which they are associated with. Such folk songs tell their long-run history and cultural value. They root back to our ancient culture and they are our unique identity.
Write any four effective ways to promote folk songs in Nepal.
The four effective ways to promote folk songs in Nepal are.
- By organizing cultural festivals.
- By promoting local rock songs.
- By making publicity through media.
- By including the subject matter about folk songs and music in the curriculum of schools and colleges.
The folk songs have a close relationship with every community because.
- The folk songs represent a particular race.
- The folk song represents a particular place.
- The folk song represents a particular community.
- The folk song represents a particular culture, religion, and society.
Overall, folk songs in Nepal are an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and reflect the daily life, customs, and traditions of the Nepali people. They are an integral part of the country’s rich musical tradition and are enjoyed by people of all ages.
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