Celebrating Diversity: A Musical Caravan     
     
AVASH KARMACHARYA
“There is a different joy altogether in playing all the ethnic instruments at once. This musical caravan is going to be the right platform to showcase the musical diversities of Nepal,” shared Pabit Maharjan of Kutumba before heading to Dadeldhura where “Celebrating Diversity: A Musical Caravan” sets off Friday.

Organized by Lead International and supported by Royal Norwegian Embassy and Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), the musical extravaganza will go through four districts before formally ending on February 20 in Kathmandu.

Led by the Kutumba Band and Minap (Mithila Natya Kala Parishad), the festival promises to bring musical entities of different ethnic communities. From the dhime of the Newars to chyabrung of the Limbus to the dholak of the Mithila Pradesh and the farsa of the Awadis, Lead International hopes that this caravan will help protect the musical diversity of Nepal, which is close to extinction.

“When artistes come together for a cause, things start to happen,” shared Lean Scuttberg, a representative from the Norwegian Embassy, and added, “It’s very essential for the Embassy to keep busy in various cultural activities. We’re positive that this event will make a required niche.”





After the opening of the fiesta in Dadeldhulra on January 8, Kutumba and Minap will perform live in Kapilvastu on January 11, Bara on January 14, Lahan on January 16, Panchthar on February 9, and in Kathmandu on February 19 and 20.

To make this event happen, Kutumba and Minap have already coordinated with each other and have visited the said locations to understand the music of respective locations.

“I was amazed to see how different communities had their own unique instruments. To know that was truly beautiful. They are so rich in their cultures, and I believe we’ll learn much more about music through this jam up,” said Pabit.

“Music, culture and geography are the key infrastructures of promoting tourism. We believe this program will help us make Nepal a better tourist destination and will also be a step forward to make Nepal Tourism Year 2011 a grand success,” explained an NTB representative.

This is a medium, say the organizers, through which people will communicate through music.

“At a time when federalism is on the tip of everyone’s tongue, we hope this musical caravan will make people realize the value of unity,” added Robin Sitaula, one of the organizers.
Kutumba and Minap are performing together on the Tundikhel Grounds of Amarghadi in Dadeldhura.