Music of Nepal refers to the various musical genres and instruments of Nepal in one aspect. With more than forty ethnic diversities, the music of this country is highly dispersed. Although western genres like pop, rock, folk, and classical music exist, a huge number of such genres are yet to be cataloged. Many musical bands exist in Nepal, with a huge number located in Kathmandu - most of the recent ones focused in pop and rock.
Nowadays, Nepali music is leading towards the western pattern yet there are few potential to keep the original and ethnic music. Fact that cannot be denied is the trend towards western society and civilization is taking over Nepali music. One who sees Nepali music from outside can almost declare Nepali music is almost under the line of vision. However, there are some people and organizations, which are trying to preserve the ethnicity of Nepali music to present to the world.
With this report I’m trying to bring some ethnic musical instruments into spotlight that have their one vitality in Nepali music and history. Before categorizing these instruments, I would like to open up the history in brief from where music started to become a part of Nepali civilization.
HistoryMedieval EraMedieval Era is the era when music start flourishing into notice in Nepal. Still it is believed music was present in Nepal long before. During this era, Nepal was not known as now’s Nepal. It was dispersed in different states with their own identities. Meanwhile, Kathmandu Valley was known as “Nepa De”, where there were still 3 different countries. The common between these countries is all of them were ruled by Malla kings and similar Newari languages were spoken yet different.
Newari Music believed to be developed and flourished during this era. The Malla kings were known for their interest in arts. Drama created during those era were accompanied by music. Many of the guthis of Kathmandu valley have their origin in this era. These guthis maintain the musical genres established during that era. Dapha music, a type of Newari bhajan is believed to have originated in this era.
The traditional Newari music has been arranged into a particular schedule. The most dominant form of traditional Newari music, 'Dapha' is a classical newari music that probably originated during late 'Lichhavi period' and flourished in the 'Malla period'. Basically, the songs of Dapha music are devotional songs based on classical ragas. Dapha music is played by bands known as 'Dapha Khalah' that may be associated with a traditional groups called 'guthi'. According to the ragas, certain songs are played at certain season or time of day. The songs generally describe or illustrate the mood of the particular season.
Modern HistoryThe 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 Narayan Gopal, Arun Thapa, Dharma Raj Thapa, Jhalak Man Gandarva, and in the female arena Koili Devi Mathema, Tara Devi, Aruna Lama. Not to mention, most of these musicians were trained by Indian classical veterans and thus bridging Nepali music close to Indian, especially to Northern Indian music.
Yet, there are lot of other ethnic music genres like ‘Khas Music’, ‘Gurung Music’, ‘Kirant Music’, Tamang Music’, ‘Magar Music’, ‘Sherpa Music’, ‘Maithili Music’, Bhojpuri Music’, and many other imported music which are supposed to be originated in Nepal and lies within Nepali music boundaries. Meanwhile, we can say Nepali indigenous cultures and music are the rock solid foundation of Nepali music. Considerably, these all music shares some kind of instruments within themselves still playing and producing different rhythm and pattern. Whilst, Indian music has the greatest most influences in Nepali music.
Instruments according to ClassificationIt is believed that there are about two hundred (200) types of original musical instruments in Nepal, and one hundred eight types (108) of musical instruments have been found till now.
These instruments can be classified into four classes according to Sangeet Shastra (Music Bible).
1. Membranophones - Dhimay, Dhah, Paschima, Madal etc.
2. Idiophones - Bhusyah, Chhusyah, TainNain etc.
3. Chordophones - Tungana, Sarangi, Ektare etc
4. Aerophones - Muhali, Murchunga, Bansuri etc.
Membranophones is musical instrument which produces sound primarily by way of a vibrating stretched membrane. It is one of the four main divisions of instruments in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification.
Idiophone is any musical instrument, which creates sound primarily by way of the instrument vibrating itself, without the use of strings or membranes. It is one of the four main divisions in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification. Idiophones are probably the oldest type of musical instrument (not counting the human voice). In the early classification of Victor Mahillon, this group of instruments was called autophones.
An aerophone is any musical instrument, which produces sound primarily by causing a body of air to vibrate, without the use of strings or membranes, and without the vibration of the instrument itself adding considerably to the sound. It is one of the five main classes (class 4) of instruments in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification.
A chordophone is any musical instrument, which produces sound primarily by way of a vibrating string or strings stretched between two points. It is one of the four main divisions of instruments in the original Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification.
MembraphonesDamphu
Damphu is the most popular instrument in the Himalayan region and plays a crucial part in their gatherings, feasts and festivals with its remarkable sound. The Damphu produces bracing sound when it is played by beating it with a hand on the disc made of skin, which is about 15 inches in diameter and covers only on side. To hold the Damphu it has a handle, which has a thickness of about 3 inches. Wooden pins hold the disc and handle together.
Its can produce low bass sound as well as transient sound often used in down beats with a variation of bass sound in a pattern. The tempo in which the pattern flows depends upon the genre of music. Mostly in Himalayan region, it’s played much slower than lower region where tempo gives one to move with the rhythm.
DhimeOne of the characteristic and vital instrument that can be found in Newari Music is ‘Dhime’. It is considered as the oldest musical instruments amongst the Membranophones.
Even though there is no evidence that Mahadeva invented this instruments (as legend says) but there is evidence to support that it dates back to Kirat period. Presently, the Jyapu community mostly plays it. It resembles the Chyabrung of Kirat Rais and Dhola of Tharus.
Dhimay is constructed from cylindrical hollowed tree trunk with leather pads at both of its ends. Nowadays, Dhimays are frequently made of brass and other metals. The general size of Dhimay is 20" in length and 16" in diameter .Its left hand hide which sounds much higher is known as Nasah, whilst another hide is called Mankah or Haima. Mankah carries a tunning paste inside. Skin straps are used to fasten the skin on both ends, which can be seen running around the Dhime. It is played by beating the skin on both ends with a bamboo stick with spiral head on one side and using a hand on the other side.
Dhimay is accompanied with Bhusyah (a pair of cymbals). Chhusyah and TainNain are also played in some place. They are fund lost in dancing with deep rumble of Dhimay in festivals.
Dhimays are of two kinds: bigger Ma Dhimay and smaller Dhahcha Dhimay or Yalaypoh Dhimay. Dhimay has capacity to produce a multiple reverberating echo, which is its main feature.
Dha 
This musical instrument is played by the Newar Buddhists specially Shakya and Kansakar community during Gunla. During this festival, devotees go to the famous Swoyombhunath temple every morning. The devotees may go alone or accompanying the group who go their playing traditional songs. Dha forms an integral part and is generally played by a group of 10 to 15 people.
Dha is cylindrical in shape and is about 15 inch long with skin covering both the ends. It is played by beating with the hand on one side and a wooden stick on the other side.
DholakThe Dholak is a classical North Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese hand drum. A dholak may have traditional lacing or turnbuckle tuning. The dholak has a simple membrane and a handle on the right-hand side. The left-hand membrane has a special coating on the inner surface. This coating is a mixture of tar, clay and sand (dholak masala), which lowers the pitch and provides a well-defined tone.
The wood used for the membrane is usually made of teak wood, also known as "sheesham" wood. The process of hollowing out the drum is the determination of the sound and quality of the dholak.
A dholak has 2 heads a small part for the high pitch, and the large part is for the low pitch and it's pitched depending on size and tuning sounding like a bongo in playing mode.
PaschimaMyth says, Paschima was invented by Lord Krishna. This instrument is also known as Mridanga. It is a double-headed drum with tuning paste in on hide (Nasah) and dough made of wheat flour is plastered in the other hide (Mankah) before playing. Wooden blocks are used under the strap to tune the drums to definite pitch.
It has one of the complex rhythm patterns. Hence, to master a Paschima needs lots of practice and devotion.
Paschima is accompanied with Baboocha (thinner cymbals), Tah (thicker cymbal), Muhali (shwam) or Bansuri (flute).
Khin 
Khin is the most important classical membranophone in Newar music. They are also known as daapaa as they are mainly used in Daapaa music. Khin is made of a hollow wooden trunk with membrane covering both sides. The right side is covered with cow skin and the left side is covered with goat-skin both with a black tuning paste called "Khau". The right hole of the trunk is narrower than the right one. The sound produced from the right side is sharper than the sound from left side. The fingers of both hands are used in playing the instrument. Normally, the size of Khin is 65cm X 30cm X 6cm (right) to 14cm (left).
MadalThe most renowned Nepali instrument is definitely the Madal which is popular in all parts of Nepal captivating anyone with the enthralling rhythmic sound that it produces. Played in almost every occasion such as marriage, feasts, major festivals like Dashain and Tihar, while playing dohoris or just a gathering, a madal is a must.
A madal is shaped like a circular glass with one end slightly smaller than the other. This instrument is made of Uttis wood. The two circular ends are covered with goatskin and are attached to the body by skin straps. Both the ends are covered with a black substance known as Khari. Khari is a mixture of cooked rice, paral ko dhulo. Kit mixed together. This helps to generate a distinct sound and gives the madal its individuality. The base or the larger end produces a low sound while the other end produces a higher pitched sound. A madal is available is different sizes.
Madal TarangaAs the name suggests Madal Taranga or Madal Wave is a combination of a set 7,14 or 21 madals put together and played in order to get different tunes. Different madals are chosen according to the desired note and plays in combination of notes at different time or same time.
IdiophonesSarangi 
Sarangi is the instrument played by the "Gandharba" caste. Though sarangi is not played by the Newars and also it can be taken the common Nepalese Music, Sarangi is an integral part of Newar music, which is played in Newar societies where the Gandharba caste resides.
Sarangi is a four-string instrument. These strings produce C, C and G, G notes. It is a bowing instrument i.e. it is played with a bow. One of the either notes are played with fundamental note in unison giving rich melody. It has got no fret boards or fingering frets. Notes are changed by putting fingers in-between and making the length of vibration short.
The structure of a Sarangi is very interesting. It has no joints and extra piece attached to create the body. No wondered, it is carved out of single block of Khhira wood whereas nowadays Saaj wood. A small hole is created sound to pass through the vibrating strings and small piece of skin to the cavity to amplify the sound. Wooden Key is used to tune the strings and a small piece of wooden block is used as a bridge on top of the skin piece. A bow with horsetail were used to bow the strings but now a days been replaced with nylon bow.
TunganaThe main attraction of a Tungna is the fascinating designs incorporates as well as the beautiful sound it makes. The designs mainly include astrological symbols of the community and dragon is carved in a very artistic manner.
The Himalayan region is where this instrument originated from and is very popular among the Sherpas. Prepared by the wood from a white rhododendron tree, which is found only above 3,500 feet. Due to the difficulty to get this wood, Tungna’s are now being produced using wood from a Salla trees. The strings were previously made by sheep’s intestine but now mostly are of badminton or tennis racket guts.
It is a perfect example of assortment of arts and music.
Ek-Tare 
In Nepali the number one is known as Ek whereas Tare means strings. So as the name suggests this instrument consists of only one string. It is considered to be one of the most ancient instruments whose origin has been traced back to the ancient era. According to legend it was played by Narad Muni, the lord messenger.
Though it does not play any part in lead, it acts as a supporting instrument and provides continuous rhythm. As it has got only one string, it can play one note at a time. The flexible handle like body helps one to create interesting vibrato effects to the note played by squeezing.
Aerophones
Bansuri/FluteBansuri is made by bamboo with holes on it and it is blown from one end. It is a very popular instrument not only in Asia, but, to the whole world. The size of the bansuri differs according to its different scales. It has two scales the high scale and the low scale. The Bansuri with a low scale is big and thick whereas the one with the high scale is much smaller in comparison to the other one.
When a musical group performs the Bansuri usually plays the leading part. Murali is also a type of Bansuri which is made up of wood and its has a higher tone. The Murali is used in the Newari communities.
There are seven holes in a Bansuri. In the seven holes, one is used for blowing while the other six each have a relative note progression according to itself. In these six holes fingers are used to press or open the holes to get the desired note.
MuhaliMuhali is a conical bore shawm, which is played only by Jugi (Kusle) caste. Jugis are given Khanki (land) for playing Muhali in various occasions. There is a tradition to play Muhali everyday in Phalchas ,i.e. roofed rest places, which tradition is also known as Siwa Yayegu.
Muhali accompanies Dhah, Dapha Khin, Paschima, Nagara and others. Muhali solo is played in Digu puja.
Ponga 
Ponga is a wind instrument made of copper. It is usually used in the festivals and jatras of the Newar community. It is played accompanying a Dhime and Nayokhin. This instrument is played in pairs. A straight bamboo stick is used for support the Ponga to keep it in air facing upwards. It comprises of many different parts, which have to be joined together when in use. When all these parts are put together its length is almost 4 to 5 feet.
KanhKanh is an instrument, which is very important in Tibetan rituals. While different pujas are performed in Gumba and Chaityas etc it is an essential instrument. To produce sound it is blown and usually played in pairs. Its average length is about 5 to10 feet. It has more distinct low sound compared to Ponga. Most often, its top end is rested on top of a small table and other end is holded on hand by the blower near to the blowing opening or mouth-piece.
NekooNekoo or horn instrument is the oldest form of musical instruments in the globe. It is played during Gunla month. There are various types of Nekoo, Chatti Nekoo, Thika Nekoo, for instance.
SankhaSankha or konch is an ancient instrument found in nature. It is believed that playing of Sankha bring good lucks when starting any new work. It is also played in different worship.
Idiophones
MurchungaAccording to ancient myth, the Murchunga is shaped like the base of a Shivalinga. Due to its small size it was very convenient to carry it anywhere. As it was also easy to play people carried it almost everywhere they went and so its popularity increased. A Murchunga is generally played for ones personal satisfaction. However, use of this has been remarkably found in modern songs as well.s
To play a Murchunga, the index and middle finger are placed on the upper and lower jaw respectively while the middle part lies in the open space. The stem in the middle in moved back and forth. The vibration of the stem and the hollowness of the mouth cause sound to be created. These are usually made of iron and now can be found one made of copper.
TinchhuThis instrument is also known as Taa. This name must have been given to it as that is the kind of sound produced by it. It is quite similar to a Jhyamta but is smaller and has more thickness.
This instrument is mostly used by the Newar community especially in Bhajans and is played along with a Khin.
BhusyahaBhusyaha is a large pair of cymbals that accompanies mainly dhimay and dhah. This cymbal is thinner in compare to Tah and Baboocha.
These instruments are important part of Nepali music carrying their own identities and distinguished sound. No matter how many people knows these ancient instruments passed on through our forefathers, they are often been proving to be good mediums to express and successes in remarking one’s feeling towards the world.
For example, Nuchhehhe Man Dangol was remarked as one of the best drummer of the world in early 2000, for his creation using different indigenous instruments and creating new approach. He is a rhythmiest specialized in percussions.
Moreover, in aspect of structure and material, instruments are commonly built up by the raw materials available in particular society, which makes people easier to built themselves. On this process, the shape and size of the instrument may not resemble to the original one and thus giving their own identity with some peculiar sound.
Hence, for me traditional culture and instruments are not a part of history, they are made to study and improvise new type of music on them. And, Nepal a wonderland with many diversity let’s me behold in its music and play with its variety.
