Music to our ears

Music isn’t just a rhythm or melody, it is an emotion that connects. Music is art, it is culture and it is a way of life. Nepali folk instrumental band Kutumba has exemplified this for 22 years, as it now gives back to society.

Kutumba first rose to prominence for its use of traditional instruments such as sarangi, tugna and tabla during classical music performances in Nepal and across the world.

Nepal was at the peak of the Maoist war, and Kutumba spread the message of unity through music, and bringing instruments from across the country to one stage.

Tugna is mostly played in the mountains and dholak in the Tarai, Kutumba also integrated dhime and bhusyah played during festivals in Kathmandu Valley.

“We want people to take pride in playing traditional instruments, our journey started with the use of traditional instruments that connected with the audience,” says Pavit Maharjan, one of the six members of the band.

He adds: “The country’s situation further pushed us to continue playing music for the longer run. When the country was divided between mountain and Tarai, we aimed to spread the message that we all are one through our music.”

The rest of the band is made up of Arun Manandhar, Kiran Nepali, Raju Maharjan, Rubin Kumar Shrestha and Siddhartha Maharjan, and is managed by Arun Gurung.

SCHOOL TO SCHOOL

Before long, Kutumba was touring the country and spreading the message of unity, peace and compassion.

During one of the tours in Khokana in southern Lalitpur, band members heard that students at a nearby school write notes on cigarettes and other pieces of paper because they couldn’t afford basic stationery. 

This eventually led to the ‘School-to School’ project. Students from private schools are encouraged to donate notebooks and stationery which is then distributed to schools in remote parts of the country.

Imperial Academy in Kathmandu with their donation of stationaries for less priviledged students.

“The aim is that students learn about Nepali traditional music and instruments while also helping underprivileged students,” says manager Arun Gurung as he explains that the band performs in both sets of schools.

The project carried out in collaboration with International Sound Service (ISS) and Kutumba has performed in 222 schools in 16 years, benefitting over 200,000 students all over Nepal.

Schools on both the ends go through careful selection. Says Shibir Shakya of ISS: “Most schools mobilise their students for the event management, making them keener and more interested in Nepali traditional instruments.”

Kutumba finances most of its events through sponsors who fund the band and the sound while local communities arrange food for the crew and stage.

Nepali traditional instruments often do not get the credit and recognition they deserve. Many people have left playing traditional instruments such as sarangi owing to the societal tag of class and hierarchy associated with them.

“We complain that there aren’t enough facilities and services in the country, but what have we done to subsidise it with the available resources?” questions Maharjan.

Kutumba performing at Maitri Sishu School in Swayambhu.

Music, especially with traditional instruments, plays a crucial role in bridging the gap, connecting people and bringing about gradual change, and Kutumba has paved a way with its school-to-school project.

As Shibir Shakya of the International Sound Service says: “Giving starts from oneself. Then only can you influence and encourage others to do the same.”