Newars

The Newar people, also known as Nepami, are the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and its neighboring regions in Nepal. They are credited with creating the historical heritage and civilization of this area. The Newar community is a blend of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman ethnicities, with Hinduism and Buddhism as their primary religions and Nepal Bhasa as their shared language. The Newars have established a complex urban civilization and division of labor that is unique in the Himalayan region. They take pride in preserving their ancient traditions and consider themselves as the true guardians of Nepal's religion, culture, and civilization. The Newars are renowned for their significant contributions to various fields such as culture, art, literature, trade, agriculture, and cuisine.

The Kathmandu Valley and its adjacent territories were once part of the Newar kingdom. Unlike many other ethnic or caste groups in Nepal, the Newars are seen as a distinct national community with a rich cultural identity that has evolved from a diverse historical background. The Newar community itself is characterized by a mix of ethnicities, races, castes, and religions, reflecting the diverse groups of people who have inhabited the region since ancient times.

Newari music:

The traditional Newar music have been arranged into a particular schedule. 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. Besides the seasonal and scheduled ragas, various ragas are played during specific events, such as Deepak raga (played when a monarch passes away).

Seasons, their festivals and music accompanying them are as follows:

Season	Festival	Song	Comments
Grishma (Summer)	Sithinakha to Gathāmuga Chare	Sinjyā	Played during plantation
Barshā (Monsoon)	Gathāmuga Chare to Yanlā Punhi	Tukājyā,Silu mye	Sad songs,while moving to Gosainkunda
Sharad (Autumn)	Dashian (Mohanee)	Malshree	Incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of Dashain
Hemant (Winter)
Shishir	Fagu purnima/Holi	Holi mye	Played during Fagu purnima
Basanta	Shree panchami to Buddha Jayanti	Basanta	Played to Head of state of Nepal in Nasalchowk on Vasant Panchami

One of the most significant and important songs is Malshree. The Malshree dhun originally belongs to the Newari culture from the Kathmandu valley, and it’s a folk music of Newari culture which later on got amalgamated with the large Nepali culture and has become a traditional music of the biggest festival of Nepal, Dashain. It is the tune that announces that Dashain, the biggest Hindu festival of Nepal, has arrived. Malashree dhun is one of the oldest surviving devotional musics of Nepal, with its origin in the 17th century.

Instruments:

Nau Baja:

Nau Baja stands for Dha, Kot, Pachima, Dhancha, Dhime, Dholak, Kokhing, Nyakhing and Nagara in total nine combined musical instruments (skin made related) played in the special occasions and fesvitals is one of the unique and important traditional music of Newari community of Bhaktapur. It is a living legend of Newari culture. Though Nau Baja is a combination of nine major musical instruments as mentioned above other helping musical instruments like Muhali, Ponga, Bayecha, Sichha, Bhuchhya, and Ta are used to add melody in the music. This is why Nau Baja can be categorized into three parts according the musical instruments used.

Tha Baja : Nine major instruments; Dhhan, Kot, Pachhima, Dhhancha, Dhime, Dholak, Kokhhincha, Nayakhhincha and Nagara.

Dhatu Baja: Supporting instruments; Dhuchha, Sichha, Khwolimalicha and Ta.

Fwu Baja: Instruments played by the blow of air; Ponga, Muhali and Bayecha.

Jatra music

Newars are known for their lavish festivals and celebrations. They bring out their best energy and devotion for certain carnivals call “Jatras”. These Jatras are mainly associated with events that happened in the past and mythical tales. There are different Jatras that take place all throughout the year and entertain both the Nepalese population and the tourists that visit to experience the country.

Biska Jatra

During many of such Jatras people of lineage from different family and community bring out different instruments while chanting devotional songs and scriptures while indicating the arrival of a certain masked god or their chariot that feels primitive and energetic. These groups of people come from different communities and castes- which in the past days were determined by their professions. For example, business family, farmer family, priest family, etc.

Here are a couple of examples of music played during one of the most important Jatras called Indra Jatra.

Dhime beat

Masked Gods and Goddesses Dance

During many Jatra there are also various dances of gods and goddesses, and one of the most exciting and entertaining dance called Lakhey dance. The demon dance of Majipā Lākhey is performed on the streets and market squares. The Majipa Lakhey dancer and his retinue of musicians move with much agility .He helps in crowd control before chariot procession through the streets and crowds spreading the festive mood.

here are a few picture of masked god dances performed during Indra Jatra:

A picture of Majipa Lakhey

Have look at some videos of Lakhey dancing and the music played during the performances given below:

Clip from a real Jatra

Gunla Bajan

Gunla is a sacred month for the Newar Buddhist community when they recite the Buddhist scriptures and visit places of worship playing devot'ional music. The practice of observing the sacred month is descended from the rains retreating dating from the Buddha's time when monks are to stay in one place and taught the Dhamma to the locals during this period.

Performance:

Societies based on locality or caste, in which membership is hereditary, organize Gunla Bajan performances. These groups follow an annual calendar of public performances. They also conduct music lessons and hold religious festivals, hymn singing sessions and feasts.

The most important activity of the year is making daily pilgrimages during Gunla to Swayambhu and other Buddhist sites playing Gunla music.

Music:

A performance of Gunla music starts with Dyah Lhayegu, a short salutation to the deities. Separate pieces of music are played when marching in procession, going around a shrine and crossing a bridge. These are known as Lawantah, Chwoh, Graha, Astar, Palimaa and Partaal.

During processions, musicians usually play the tunes of seasonal songs or other traditional songs backed by drums and cymbals. Tunes of modern hits are also played.

Gwara is a long piece of music which is played in temple squares and sacred courtyards with the musicians standing in a circle. It is 15 to 20 minutes long. The popular ones are Annapurna Gwara, Swetkali Gwara and Sangin Gwara.

Check out the video below where a community is playing Gunla Bajna: