Nepal... the united orchard built of cultural diversity; the uniformity among multiplicity. There are many factors that bind Nepali people together. May be it's their patriotism or the common King but the key element that has helped various cultures and creed intermingle and accept each other is the Universal language of Music.

Music lies in the vary soul of Nepali culture. It represents the humming of a farmer cultivating his land. It represents the drumming of military soldiers. It embraces the cry of a woman waiting for her husband to return from abroad and the heart-crunching reminiscence of a "Lahure Dai" waiting to return to his home. Music pictures the hope that festivals bring into the heart of a child; burden to his poor father and painful convincing of the mother. Music reflects religion, society, development, situation, people and Nepal.

Along with beautiful assortment in landscape, class, culture, language, economy; Nepal is blessed with hundreds of rainbows in Musical realm. Coquette rhymes of "Dohori and Rodhi ghar"; Painful and sarcastic lamentations of "Gaaine"; Cheerful and enthusiastic chorus of children singing "Bhaili" and "Deusi"; soul-soothing classical "Raagas and Bhajans". These are all the facets of Nepali music.

Everything changes and the change itself. Nepali lifestyle, particularly in urban areas, has a heavy influence of westernization. So it is obvious that western countries and the neighboring countries guide the musical trend in Kathmandu. But still the traditional genres have the lion's share in Nepali music industry.

You can find numerous kind of western music in Kathmandu. There are bands playing Beatles to Slipknot. At bars and restaurants in Thamel we can discover Blues and Jazz. (But hey... have not heard any Nepali Grass Blues band.)

Recently, an extremely talented musician, whom I have known from my college days and who is a good friend of mine, has released his first album named "My addiction". You can download "Socha Na" by Alok Bajracharya and enjoy yourself. Give it a try and if you like the song don't forget to buy the album "My addiction" by Alok Bajracharya.

Nepali Music posted by Pradeep Chand @ 4:55 PM

•