BLOG #23 : Seasonal and Festival Songs of Nepal

TEEJ SONGS

There is a special festival for the women in Nepal where they fast for their husband's good health and long life. It is celebrated once every year around end of August when Monsoon season in Nepal is nearly finished. Usually married women are invited to her father and mother's house where she will be treated as special guest and lots of dishes are prepared for her before the day of fasting and these special dishes are known as "DAR". There is a special kind of songs which are played and sung by ladies whole day of fasting while dancing as well. It is composed in usually similar folk tunes. All the ladies who does the fasting, usually gather and celebrate it by dancing on these songs.

ASHARE SONGS

Ashar is a 3rd month in Nepalese calendar which is rainy season(also called Monsoon) and a season to plant the rice. Usually farmers while in the process of planting the rice, they have a special song that they sing with special traditional folk tune called Ashare Song. Every 15th day of this month there is a special festival where they sing and spray mud to each other by singing these songs and performing dance as well. 

RATYAULI SONGS

Ratyauli songs are songs of the wedding ceremony. When the boys team goes out to girl's house to perform the rituals of marriage, family members who are left behind in boy's house to welcome a new member into house will sing songs and perform dances to create a vibrant ambience and for celebration as well. 

DEUSI BHAILO SONGS

Deusi Bhailo songs are performed in one of biggest festival of Hinduism; Tihar/Deepawali (Festival of Lights) which is celebrated every year in the month of October when there is a Spring season. These songs are performed by local bands and they travel to each and every house of the locality to perform by singing and dancing where they will sing for the prosperity and happiness of all the household member and they will donate whatever they can to the band. Usually Deusi songs are performed by Male Band in last day of 5th day festival whereas Bhailo songs are performed by Female Band in 3rd and 4th Day of the festival.

DEUDA SONG

Deuda Songs are the distinct songs from far western region of Nepal which can be performed in group as well as individually. These songs are especially performed in a festival called GAURA which is celebrated by far western population.

TAMANG SELO

Tamang selo are the songs and dance performed by only one of indigenous community of Nepal called Tamangs. They live in some of the central rural regions of Nepal. These performances are performed with special musical instrument called DAMPHU (special kind of drum made with leather and wood). These instruments are only played by male participants. These songs reflect the expression of love, unity and sorrow as well.


Blog By:
Safal Maharjan

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Nepal
http://nepal.saarctourism.org/nepal-music.html

Videos:
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