Impact of Globalization in Nepali Music

 Introduction

Fusion band Kutumba performing in Patan

The influence that music has throughout the world is immeasurable. Music evokes many feeling, surfaces old memories, and creates new ones all while satisfying a sense of human emotion. With the ability to help identify a culture, as well as educate countries about other cultures, music also provides for a sense of knowledge. Music can be a tool for many things: relaxation, stimulation and communication. But at the same time it can also be a tool for resistance: against parents, against police against power. Within the reign of imported culture, cross cultivation and the creation of the so-called global village lies the need to expand horizons to engulf more than just what you see everyday. It is important to note that the role of music in today’s world is a key tool in the process of globalization. However, this does not necessarily provide us with any reasons that would make us believe that music has a homogenizing affect on the world. Globalization is becoming one of the most controversial topics in today’s world. We see people arguing over the loss of a nation’s cultural identity, the terror of westernization, and the reign of cultural imperialism. In this term paper I have tried to show the influence of globalization on Nepali songs.

Nepal is a country of diverse culture and religion. Here we can find different taste of music between different cultures. 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.

HISTORY OF NEPALI MUSIC

The modern history of Nepali music 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. Here are some of the old Nepali music instruments which have been in the disappearing phase Dhimay, Dhah, Paschima, Madal, Bhusyah, Chhusyah, TainNain, Tungana, Sarangi, EktareMuhali, Murchunga, Bansuri etc.Music is the part of everyday life among Nepalese. Nepali traditional folk and classical music is famous in Nepal and it gives entertainment to the music lovers. The rhythm beats and bounds of it give the spiritual pleasure to the listeners. As music is the vital factor for Nepalese people it linked with every event performed in Nepal. Many musical programs are launched in birth, marriage, festival or national events in Nepal.
Various songs, musical instruments and dances are connected with various religious, social and cultural lives of the Nepalese. Music is the heartbeat of Nepal. Music is associated to every event of life, be it with festivals, feasts, marriage, birth ceremonies or funeral processions. Several shops in Thamel sell cheap rock/pop reissues and new age East-West mood music on tape and CD, as well as some traditional Nepali folk and classical compilations on tape. The popular songs like ‘Changba hoi Changba, Man Chadey Maichyang lai’ are famous and every radio and FM stations are playing the re-mix songs. Many artists are using Tamang Selo tunes in their songs and which have also been hit and many listeners are entertaining their music.   

Indigenous Nepalese Music
There are much Indigenous Music in Nepal which shows the particular life style of the indigenous people. Below are the lists of Indigenous Nepalese Music:

Deuda Music
Deuda is one type of music having variety of genre including Thadi Bhakha, Raheri and other, presented in western region of Nepal.
 
Newari Music
Newari music mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments as well as instruments with no string. In Newari culture almost in all the occasions traditional tunes are played.

Khas Music
In the Khas society traditionally castes like Damai used to play a number of instruments for occasions such as marriage. The minstrels, gaine, used to play instruments like ‘Sarangi’ but even the Gaine are declining in number.

Gurung Music
The Gurungs have very rich tradition of music and culture. They have established a system of ‘Rodhi’ which is little similar to modern discos, where young people meet and share their views in music and dancing

Tamang Music
Tamang community is well known for Damphu, traditional instrument. Tamang selo music is based on the usage of Damphu and Tungna. Western and Indian instruments are also found in some modern Tamang Selo music.

NEPALI MUSIC IN PRESENT ERA

Jindabaad , one of the most popular underground band in Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu valley is the musical center of roci, blues and metal scene in Nepal. Many new Metal bands have emerged around in Kathmandu valley since the KtmRocks started. Most of these bands are highly influenced by the foreign metal. These bands play gigs from time to time in the underground scene. These days metal Jazz and Blues has been highly appreciated by the Nepali music lovers. Upstairs Ideas is promoting the Jazz scene in Nepal Along with Cadenza. The rock, Blues, Jazz and metal scenes are evolving in Nepal with much improvement in quality and performance. Many bands emerged after the 20th century with genres like alternative, progressive, punk, etc. but most of the bands are unable to exist in the musical environment of Nepal.

The most prominent Rock artists/band in Nepal are 1974 AD, Nepathya, Mukti and Revival, Robin (of Robin and Looza) and the new revolution, Looza (minus Robin), etc. New artists are emerging with the emergence of media. Shanon Scam is on the rise due to their hardcore punk music.

On the other hand Kutumba is by far one of the most appreciated bands in the Nepal's music scene to date. With all the bands having their own reasons to play a certain genre and style of music, kutumba artistically reflects Nepal's culture and tradition with their folk tunes. "Kutumba is a folk instrumental ensemble, group of seven professionals from Kathmandu. Having come together for the preservation of their culture and art, Kutumba wishes to spread love and joy of Nepali folk music throughout the world.”

Lately, an art/alternative rock supergroup named Jindabaad is formed, with ex-members of Atomic Bush, Karmavalanche, Baking Space Cake and Ushma Weg. They are termed to be one of the greatest bands in the current scene. A new new-wave thrash metal project called E.quals is also formed by members of Lost Oblivion and Vhumi. E.quals represents Nepal in the Global Battle of Bands 2010. Alongside, a number of new metal/rock bands have emerged in the underground scene like Stairs of Cirith, Spells of Prophecy, Wings of Spasm, Vengeance fills the Night, Kaal, KaalBhairav, Black Sins Immortal, etc. "Awoni Bhedi" a celtic metal band with alternative rock influence was formed few years back. Apart from rock and metal due to the globalization pop and hip-hop music have also been introduced to the Nepali music industry. Nowadays people living in urban areas such as youths have started to visit dance clubs and they also have started to organize dance parties which is a effect of globalization.

Positive and Negative Aspect of Globalization in Nepali Music

It is said that every thing is two-faced and Effect of Globalization in Nepali music has also positive and negative aspect. First of all I want to talk about the negative impact of Globalization in Nepali Music. Nowadays people have started to spoil the taste of old classical Nepali songs by remixing it. Remix has been a certain trend since about 5 years.

Many famous musicians of Nepal have criticized the way people remake the classic old song to earn profit. They say remixing is not a very bad idea but it should be in a limit. Due to the globalization the piracy of music has created a great problem in Nepali Music industry. Nowadays people have started to make glamorous music videos as a result children have been hugely affected by them .In recent times the some music composers have been heavily criticized for copying the composition of other music composers. Due to the westernization, original Nepali flavor has been missing in the Nepali music. People have started to use modern gadgets and have forgotten Nepali musical instruments. If this trend will continue like this one day Nepali music will surely be finished.

These were the negative impact of western influence in Nepali music but we have to say that due to the westernization Nepali music also has gained many things. First of all we can find a vast difference in the quality of recording in the past and present. Due to the invention of latest technology nowadays the price of recording is not that much high as there are many recording studios in Nepal which were not there in the past. In the present time people can use different kinds of music accessories such as ipod, mp3 players, iphones, etc. Since the influence of the western music the Nepali music lovers also have dramatically increased as the new style of music is mostly loved by the youths or the new generation. Due to globalization artists from Nepal visit different countries and show their musical talent to the whole world. Recently one Latin band visited Nepal and they performed with the Nepali local band this showed that music had no religion. Due to globalization we can share our music to people from other countries and vice-versa. Today is time of new gadgets and new inventions so the Nepali artists also have learnt many things from the western music. Nowadays musicians have tried to collaborate western and eastern music as a result a master piece is created. It is said that music has no bond or no religion, it is the language through which people from different can communicate between each other.

Conclusion

Music is an art form whose medium is sound. As I also love to sing and have a great passion towards music, in my view the influence of western music in Nepal have done really good things for us. Time changes and we also have to change according to the time. We must keep on improving and should not look back. Since we have accepted the western music we also should not forget our own music. We should try to give more emphasis on our own music first then to the foreign music. Music is a kind of inspiration through which we can express our self. So at last what we can say is we should respect all kinds of music and should try to preserve our own.