Newa music

Music of Nepal: Topics
Ethnic music	Newa music - Gurung music - Tamang music - Khas music - Mithila music - Sunuwar music - Magar music - Bhojpuri music - Sherpa music - Thakali music - Chepang music - Rai music - Tibetan music - Lepcha music - Limbu music - Kusunda music
Genres	Dapa - Dohari - Selo - Bhajan - Rodhi - Adhunik Sangeet - Rock - Hip hop
Festivals	Goon lā
Instruments	Dhimay - Bhusyah - Madal - Sarangi - Damfoo - Dholak - Chyambrung - Bansuri
Media	Radio Nepal, Hits FM, Image FM
National anthem	"Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka"

Newa Music, also spelled Newar Music, is a traditional music developed in Nepal by the Newars. It mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments and no string instruments.

Instruments

The instruments can be categorized as:^[1]

• Membranophones:^[2] Dhimay, Paschima, Khin, Kwonchakhin, Damakhin, Dhaa, Nayekhin, Dholak, Nagara, Kal dab dab
• Chordophones:^[3] Piwancha, Sarangi
• Aerophones:^[4] Bansuri, Baye, Mwaali, Ponga, Kaahan
• Idiophones:^[5] Taa, Babhu, Chhusyaa, Kaynpin, Bhusyaa

Traditional music

The traditional Newar music have been arranged into a particular schedule ^[6]. One of the dominant forms of traditional Newar music is 'Dapha'. Dapha music is a classical newar music that probably originated during late 'Lichhavi Period' and flourished in the 'Malla period'. Basically, the songs of Dapha music are devotional songs based on classical ragas. Dapha music is played by bands known as 'Dapha Khalah' that may be associated with a traditional groups called 'guthi'. According to the ragas certain songs are played at certain season or time of day. The songs generally narrate or depict the mood of the particular season.

Season	Festival	Song
Grishma (Summer)	Sithinakha to Gathāmuga Chare	Sinjyā
Warshā (Monsoon)	Gathāmuga Chare to Yanlā Punhi	Tukājyā
Sharad		Silu mye
Hemant	Dashian (Mohanee)	Mālshree
Shishir		Holi mye
Basanta	Shree panchami(Basanta panchami) to Buddha Jayantee

Besides these, there are certain pieces played at particular time of day.

Rāg	Time of day
Kola	Midnight to 1 am
Namāmi	1 am to 2 am
Mālawā	2 am to 3 am
Bihan chuli	3 am to 5 am
Bhakta	5 am to 7 am
Jayashree	7 am to 9 am
Māluwā	9 am to Noon
Bibhaash	Noon to 1 pm
Āsāwari	1 pm to 2 pm
Padmajati	2 pm to 3 pm
Deshā	3 pm to 4 pm
Kausi	4 pm to 6 pm
Kedār	6 pm to 7 pm
Wijaya	7 pm to 10 pm
Wimāsa	10 pm to 11 pm
Nāya	11 pm to Midnight

Secular/Pop Music

Apart from traditional Newa music, there is also secular and popular Newa music. A very popular and famous Newa love song is "Rajamati" sung by Prem Dhoj Pradhan. In contemporary Newa culture, there are numerous pop musicians, lyricists and singers along with Newa music videos. Prem Dhoj Pradhan,Madan Krishna Shrestha, Durgalal shrestha are some of the popular Newa singers.

References

1. ^ "Music". Jwajalapa!. newatech, inc.. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. http://www.webcitation.org/5gxraBAWA. Retrieved 22 May 2009. 
2. ^ "Membranophones". Jwajalapa!. newatech, inc.. 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. http://www.webcitation.org/5gxphtUU6. Retrieved 22 May 2008. 
3. ^ "Chordophones". Jwajalapa!. newatech, inc.. 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. http://www.webcitation.org/5gxrvWp3o. Retrieved 22 May 2008. 
4. ^ "Aerophones". Jwajalapa!. newatech, inc.. 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. http://www.webcitation.org/5gxtSauFW. Retrieved 22 May 2008. 
5. ^ "Idiophones". Jwajalapa!. newatech, inc.. 23 September 2008. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. http://www.webcitation.org/5gxtHQPM8. Retrieved 22 May 2008. 
6. ^ कान्तिपुर बासुपासा

See also

1. Prajapati Subhash Ram (2000), "Cultural Musical Instruments of Kathmandu Valley". Kathmandu : Newa Dey Daboo (Newars' National Forum)
2. Prajapati Subhash Ram (2006), "Pulangu Nepalbhasa Natakya Sangeet Paksya (Musical Aspects of Ancient Nepalbhasa Dramas)". Seattle : newatech, inc.