Newari Music

Newari Music is a traditional music developed in Nepal by the Newars. It mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments and no string instruments. The Newars are very much rich in traditional, classical and folk music as in dances. Various music and dance events take place in different parts of Newar societies on the occasion of different festivals. In fact, the Newars are so duly intermixed with music and dances that not a single festival, feast or ceremony, 'from womb to tomb', passes without a music or music and dances. Various songs, musical instruments and dances are connected with various religious, social and cultural life of the Newars Different musical instruments are in practice in the festival, feasts, ceremonies and also in funeral procession. Newari songs and music have caught up in the market, especially in Kathmandu Valley. As a result, production of Newari music albums is on a steady rise. In 90s the young lyricist R has added a new dimension to the contemporary Newari music by presenting two brand new albums Chha Wa Ji Wa and Balabalachingu Mikha presenting tNewari music has pretty much been isolated from modern invasion of western influence; this is definitely a good thing for people who want to treasure Newari culture and tradition, however, because of lack of effort from artists, musiciansand promoters to give Newari music a 'face lift' younger generation has drifted too far as to listen to either Nepali rap, hip hop, rock and other genres if not English. Most Newars will resist naturally to bringing such a change into their culture despite the fact that trying to preserve the same culture most of 'newar selves' have drifted away from their own culture.