"Traditional musical instruments on the verge of extinction"

KATHMANDU, Feb 9: It was pointed out that traditional musical instruments are on the verge of extinction as they are confined within the community. It was also said that folklore instruments, limited within the community and certain locality, give the identity of different cultures, scattered in different parts of the country.
The need for preservation of the traditional musical instruments was stressed at the inaugural function of the Festival of the Nepali Folk Instrument held at Kastamandap, Kathmandu Durbar Square Friday.
The Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Keshav Sthapit inaugurated the festival by playing the traditional blow instrument Murchunga. Mayor Sthapit was helped to play Murchunga by Suresh Chandra Pradhan, the wellknown Murchunga player.
Addressing the function, folk instrument expert, Ram Sharan Darnal said, "There are lots of traditional folk instruments used during Kirat, Licchavi, Malla and Shah periods which are almost extinct and so need some research."
Emphasising the importance of folk instruments that play an important role in human life from birth to death, Darnal said, "There arises a necessity of enough research, about the origin of the instrument and its importance in tradition and customs."
Folk singer Kumar Basnet, who has travelled much in different parts of the country called to avoid modern music and instruments. "Mostly the youths are attracted in adopting the modern instrument, which is why the age-old Nepali instruments are on the verge of extinction," he said.
Basnet further added that the new generation have to take the old instruments along with sophisticated modern instruments.
The audience, present at the Kastamandap traditional hall, were astonished when Narad Mani Hakpale produced music out of Pipal leaf.
"It is not only the duty or responsibility of one organisation or the government to preserve the Nepali folk instruments that represent different cultures and customs," said Sanad Adhikari, the teacher. "But it is the responsibility of all the individuals and communities, who have been using it from years."

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