The evergreen Nepalese folk band “Kutumba” have kept the Nepali traditional music alive since many years. Going back to from where it started, one of the band members remembers, “Some of the band members used to organize an event called “Sukrabar”, to promote instrumental music and instrumental artists, which used to take place every last Friday of the month at Patan Museum.” He further adds, “Almost all the artists and bands, that used to perform at Sukrabar, did not play traditional Nepali music and Nepalese instruments. We came across some good musicians through Sukrabar and some of us knew how to play traditional Nepalese instruments, so we thought of only putting together traditional Nepalese instruments and starting a band. After some weeks of practice we put up a show at Patan Museum on 2004 A.D and this is how Kutumba got started.”
Kutumba comprises 6 members
Arun Manandhar on Tungna and Arbajo
Kiran Nepali on Sarangi
Pavit Maharjan on Percussion
Raju Maharjan on Percussion
Rubin Kumar Shrestha on Flute and
Siddhartha Maharjan on Effects.
He also mentioned, Kutumba would love to work with children and hunt for Nepalese instruments and learn them. Currently, the folk band is working with Kanta dAb dAb for Echoes in the Valley, a music festival, the festival strives to uncover, revive and make relevant Kathmandu’s intangible heritages and disappearing sounds by showcasing local music, art, and performances of everyday rituals. It transforms small neighborhoods into grand stages for musical conversations between international and local artists. In addition, the festival offers an array of interactive educational initiatives, creative workshops, guided neighborhood walks, and an open museum of communal art and artifacts.
The band members disclosed a few more things about themselves.
1. Which musicians do you guys admire? Why?
We do not have particular musicians to admire, we listen to wide variations of the genre from folk, classical, pop, rock to heavier metals. Maybe it is the age that makes us want to explore every kind of music that exists.
2. What are your fondest musical memories?
There are a lot of memories.
1) While performing at Joon Festival, Wembley Arena, it was an overwhelming response of the crowd and best part was when all the audience started singing “Asarai Mahinama” (an old Nepalese song) along with the band.
2) After the performance at MAD Festival in Ooty, South India, we were not able to come down the stage for there were a lot of reporters wanting to interview us and it was like selling fresh fish from the stage.
3. What advice would you give to beginners?
Follow your heart and love what you do.
