Newari Music
Encyclopedia
Newa Music, also spelled Newar Music, is a traditional music
developed in Nepal
by the Newar
s. It mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments and no string instruments.
Besides these, there are certain pieces played at particular time of day.
In contemporary Newa culture, there are numerous pop musicians, lyricists and singers along with Newa music videos. Prem Dhoj Pradhan,Madan Krishna Shrestha, Durgalal shrestha are some of the popular Newa singers.
2. Prajapati Subhash Ram (2006), "Pulangu Nepalbhasa Natakya Sangeet Paksya (Musical Aspects of Ancient Nepalbhasa Dramas)". Seattle : newatech, inc.
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
developed in Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
by the Newar
Newar
The Newa , Newār or Newāl) are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history.Newas have lived in the Kathmandu...
s. It mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments and no string instruments.
Instruments
The instruments can be categorized as:- Membranophones: Dhimay, Paschima, KhinKhinKhin is a classical membranophone used in Newar music. Khin are played in pair putting on lap by the players facing each other.A Khin is made of a hollow wooden trunk with membrane covering both sides. The right side is covered with cow skin, while the left side is covered with goat skin. Both...
, Kwonchakhin, Damakhin, DhaaDhaaDhaa belong to the membranophone group of Newar traditional musical instruments. It is a kind of drum specially played during the month of Gunlaa, the ninth month of Newar calendar. Dhaa is also known as "Gunlaa Baajan"....
, Nayekhin, DholakDholakThe Dholak is a North Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese double-headed hand-drum Madal. The name dholki may also refer to a slightly different instrument that uses high-pitch tabla style syahi masala on its treble skin. This instrument is also known as Naal or Dholki....
, NagaraNagaraNagara is a village in the Shimoga district of the state of Karnataka, India. It is 17 km from Hosanagara or 84 km from Shimoga. This was called "Bidanoor" earlier during the 16th century, this was the last capital city of Keladi rulers. In 1763, Hyder Ali captured this area...
, Kal dab dab - Chordophones: Piwancha, SarangiSarangiThe Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of India which is originated from Rajasthani folk instruments. It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
- Aerophones: BansuriBansuriThe bansuri is a transverse alto flute of Bangladesh, India and Nepal made from a single hollow shaft of bamboo with six or seven finger holes. An ancient musical instrument associated with cowherds and the pastoral tradition, it is intimately linked to the love story of Krishna and Radha, and is...
, Baye, Mwaali, Ponga, Kaahan - Idiophones: Taa, Babhu, Chhusyaa, Kaynpin, BhusyaaBhusyahBhusyah is a pair of metallic cymbals. Technically, these are idiophones. This instrument is played with Dhimay or other membranophones. Its size ranges from around 10 to 21 inches .-Festivals:...
Traditional music
The traditional Newar music have been arranged into a particular schedule . One of the dominant forms of traditional Newar music is 'Dapha'. Dapha music is a classical newar 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 narrate or depict the mood of the particular season.| Season | Festival | Song |
|---|---|---|
| Grishma (Summer) | Sithinakha to Gathāmuga Chare | Sinjyā |
| Warshā (Monsoon) | Gathāmuga Chare to Yanlā Punhi | Tukājyā |
| Sharad | Silu mye | |
| Hemant | Dashian (Mohanee) | Mālshree |
| Shishir | Holi mye | |
| Basanta | Shree panchami(Basanta panchami) to Buddha Jayantee |
Besides these, there are certain pieces played at particular time of day.
| Rāg | Time of day |
|---|---|
| Kola | Midnight to 1 am |
| Namāmi | 1 am to 2 am |
| Mālawā | 2 am to 3 am |
| Bihan chuli | 3 am to 5 am |
| Bhakta | 5 am to 7 am |
| Jayashree | 7 am to 9 am |
| Māluwā | 9 am to Noon |
| Bibhaash | Noon to 1 pm |
| Āsāwari | 1 pm to 2 pm |
| Padmajati | 2 pm to 3 pm |
| Deshā | 3 pm to 4 pm |
| Kausi | 4 pm to 6 pm |
| Kedār | 6 pm to 7 pm |
| Wijaya | 7 pm to 10 pm |
| Wimāsa | 10 pm to 11 pm |
| Nāya | 11 pm to Midnight |
Secular/Pop Music
Apart from traditional Newa music, there is also secular and popular Newa music. A very popular and famous Newa love song is "Rajamati" sung by Prem Dhoj Pradhan.In contemporary Newa culture, there are numerous pop musicians, lyricists and singers along with Newa music videos. Prem Dhoj Pradhan,Madan Krishna Shrestha, Durgalal shrestha are some of the popular Newa singers.
See also
1. Prajapati Subhash Ram (2000), "Cultural Musical Instruments of Kathmandu Valley". Kathmandu : Newa Dey Daboo (Newars' National Forum)2. Prajapati Subhash Ram (2006), "Pulangu Nepalbhasa Natakya Sangeet Paksya (Musical Aspects of Ancient Nepalbhasa Dramas)". Seattle : newatech, inc.