By Col Prem Bahadur Thapa (Retd)
Come Autumn and the cultural hoist provided by religious festivities, one after another, is at its best. It is often said that the gaiety and bonhomie provided by music at these times can move mountains. So why not promote it further? On this note, one often dwells on folklore from our hills of Uttarakhand of past and present, which perhaps interests us and our neighbours, alike, especially those in Nepal due to similarity in our socio-cultural lives.
But this one is something a bit away from the fields of fast tracks that have invaded our entertainment industry, today, and deals with the passion for music based on ancient folk songs and dances to while-away the blues of harsh and difficult living conditions in the far corners of their similar countryside. And the festive season that just concluded is perhaps the best time to see how closely they regard each other to maintain their age-old cultural ties. ‘Deusi-Bhailo‘, the popular socio-cultural event during Diwali is held with great fervour in our hills and their country alike; while “Bedupako .. Bedupako, Kafal pako Chaita meri chhaila” is, of course, an age old Garhwali song that is still loved and sung not only here, but across entire Nepal, even now.
And the latest craze of our hills, today, that sent even the Princess from the erstwhile Nepal Royal family in Kathmandu to the dance floor at one of their many festive programmes since its entry into their country, is our Kumaoni song… ‘Maine kajal lagayo ..na lago najara”. Sung by Manoj Arya and Priyanka Meher in ‘Dhai Hathe Dhameli’, it is so captivating that its classical music with equally delightful action-acting by the romantic pair, captured in the scenic outdoors of our enchanting rural hills, can better any of our Cine-world’s best. No wonder it is making such waves, and one must see and listen to believe it.
The interest is mutual, and now Kalpana Bista, a 12 year old from Nepal, has hit their music world like a storm … and its ring-tones are already sounding here (if what one sees on video clips and entertainment channels is to be believed). Of course, there is many a wonder child from different countries (as seen on American Idol shows), while we have Indian-Idol block busters, too, who introduced Pawandeep Rajan from our hills … and a star was born. But, Kalpana on the other side had no such platform when discovered, helping her parents in farming their small fields in their remote village named Baitadi in far west Nepal on the banks of Kali Nadi.
She was an accidental find (by some travelers) but her singing prowess at such an early age, sharpened by her own genius. This is nothing less than amazing and another star is born… wherever that be … and her very first number, ‘Hazur lai kasto chha… Malai ta kushal mangal chha’ (‘How are you … I am faring alright‘) is a nostalgic hit, sent out to her near and dear ones whom she left behind in her far-off- home. Her childlike innocence with simple grace in looks and manners is her added charm; and has already found instant favour in neighboring Kumaon while making its way further.
The ‘Sound of Music’ … if left to itself would perhaps make such a better world; and if any proof is required to be seen …it is the cultural exchanges with Pakistani artists also (which unfortunately are getting rarer). Their stirring ghazals and country songs are so much liked by our people here; while their love for Indian music via Bollywood films is a phenomenal reality that no borders have been able to stop! And it may be no exaggeration that, if nothing else, these cultural ties alone may someday help in re-strengthening our fractured relations; and thus these windows of opportunity perhaps must never be closed.
But, fortunately, our relations with our immediate neighbour to the East holds good, where yester-year’s ever-green Kumaoni-Gorkhali number ‘Nainitala..Nainitala… Ghumi ayo rela .. Nainitala‘ is still played by both countries’ civil/military bands as though it belongs to them alone. Music sans borders. Bravo. We pray at the same temples and sing the same songs … and there is no reason why we shouldn’t always find lasting friendship in each other’s company (regardless of minor hiccups now and then). Thus, enhanced cultural exchanges between our two countries could perhaps be encouraged at a higher level than what is seen now.
One would like to conclude this piece with a bit of apprehension also at the alarmingly large number of people from the hills deserting their villages. The worry is that our age old cultural life may also vanish along with it. The pain is best explained by renowned folk singer Narender Singh Negi calling them back in his most soulful songs …. and his call needs to be replied to. At least maintain what we still have and efforts to preserve our social heritage need some more determined effort. With a little help from the administration, associations like Garhwal and Kumaon Vikas Mandals, also, could play vital roles and their participation perhaps needs be promoted further.
