A Research Proposal

on

Folk Music: A Source of Livelihood for

Indigenous People in Nepal

Submitted by: Hritika Rana

Masters in Development Studies ‘08

 Table of Content

Summary

1. Introduction

a. Background Information

b. Problem Statement

c. Rational of the study

2. Research Objectives

3. Literature Review

4. Methodology

5. Expected Research contribution

References
Summary

Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in the world economy, and
provide new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth
areas of the world economy.1

In today’s world where human development is considered the most important part of
economic development, cultural aspect and cultural industry is the core for the prosperity of
people and to empower people as it will enabling them to improve their living standards and
quality of life. In Nepal, music has characterised almost all stages of human development. It
has been used during birth, initiation, marriage, war and death. Here forth, music plays an
important role in the socio-economic aspect of the indigenous people of Nepal.

However, Music industry in Nepal is grossly underdeveloped because most of the region's
music producers operate through micro-enterprises that are simply not up to the task of
promoting local artistes and their music internationally. Hence, there is a need for creating a
dynamic, professional network for all those involved in the Nepali music industry in order to
initiate collaborative ventures and identify cooperative marketing and distribution strategies
to promote indigenous musicians. The main focus should be on creating an environment
where indigenous music will be economically rewarding to the indigenous artists and
indigenous people involved in the creative music industry.

1
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: UNCTADE has been proactive in promoting
international action in the area of the creative industries, and emphasizing their development dimension.
The creative industries are at the crossroads of the arts, culture, business and technology. All these
activities are intensive in creative skills and can generate income through trade and intellectual property
rights.
 1. Introduction

a. Background Information:

Nepal is generally categorized as an adventure destination in the West, but our art and culture
are also very important.2

Nepal is a country rich in terms of cultural diversity, with more than one hundred ethnic and
caste groups. According to the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous
Nationalities (NFDIN), ethnic groups are those “who have their own mother tongue and
traditional customs, a distinct cultural identity, a distinct social structure and written or oral
history all of their own"

The intangible cultural heritage which includes performing arts- music, dance, theatre,
represents social practices and indigenous people’s way of life. Nepali people regard music as
indispensable in every ceremony and rite of passage, from birth to death -and even after
death, during funeral rituals and annual ceremonies to remember deceased ancestors. There
are a variety of songs, dances, and plays performed in different parts of the country by
different communities. Each performance creates a unique identity for a particular folk group,
and it serves to reaffirm group identity within the wider Nepalese caste/ethnic group.

Indigenous music is an important part of Indigenous culture. Besides intangible heritage,

tangible heritage –the traditional arts and crafts which are used for musical performances are
also a good source of income generation like the Gandharvas who make sarangi "the fiddles"
and Badis who make the madal "the drum". Nepal also has a large number of folk musical
instruments (527 kinds), some of which have been collected at the Nepal Academy and at the
Music Museum of Nepal.
2
Director of Nepal Tourism Board, Nandini Lahe Thapa spoke at the press meet organized
at Nepal Tourism Board at Exhibition Road on 25th may 2008. The organization supported
Sukarma’s concert as they felt that there will be a lot of publicity for Nepal and that
tourism will be promoted.
Dissemination of folk songs via disc records began in the early 1930s. Later after the
establishment of Radio Nepal, folk songs were widely disseminated, which resulted in mass
demand for cassettes and CDs of Nepali folksongs. Throughout the second half of the last
century, organizations like Radio Nepal, Ratna Recording Trust, Nepal Television, and Music
Nepal have popularized Nepalese folksongs and folk dances by awarding the creators and
tradition bearers (often through competitions).

Different organization like Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; The Department
of Archaeology; Cultural Corporation; National Foundation for the Development of
Indigenous Nationalities; Nepal National Commission for UNESCO; Nepali Folklore
Society; Nepal Music Center; Music Nepal; Nepal Folk Musical Instrument Museum;
Kathmandu University’s Music Department, Gandharbha Cultural and Arts Organization, etc
are working for the preservation and promotion of folk performing arts. Besides these major
organizations there are over 50 community based cultural centers or organizations scattered
across the country, which are also playing a vital role in safeguarding and promoting folk
performing arts.

Artists and bands like Sur Sudha, Kutumba, Sukarma, Manose Singh, Anil Shahi, and some
other artists have found indigenous music as the basis of their livelihood and income
generation. They have also been profoundly popularizing indigenous Nepali music among
Nepali youth and people worldwide. They have been struggling hard to preserve and promote
the indigenous music and cultural heritage of Nepal.

b. Problem statement

Indigenous music has suffered much neglect in recent years even though many institutions
and organizations have been working for the preservation and promotion of Folklore in
Nepal. Many folk instruments are in the verge of extinction. In the other hand, globalization
has steadily been dislocating our indigenous-folk glory faster than ever. Lack of knowledge
on our traditional music has led most of the youths attracted towards the western music.
Hence, western music is affecting the popularity of traditional Nepalese music and
instruments. In this scenario, Nepali music industry has been struggled to represent, develop
and promote its own music. A great challenge lies in creating awareness amongst the
consumers.

In spite of the importance of music in Nepali life, the musicians themselves have always held
a lowly position in society, regarded as Dalit or untouchable by most people in higher castes.
Due to their lowly position, musicians were usually uneducated and music and lyrics rarely
written down. Melodies, lyrics, dance steps and instrument-making techniques were, until
recently, passed down through the generations from father to son in an unbroken chain.
Most Nepali folk songs are inspired by the gaines. With them lies the genesis of Nepali
folklore, song and music as we know it today. The modern folk genre is commercially
successful but its proponents are predominantly Brahmins, Newars, Gurungs and Limbus.
While neo-gaines gain nationwide popularity and become wealthy celebrities, the gaines are
neglected and on the verge of extinction.3 This situation has helped folk music to aspire
within the nation and worldwide. However, the one’s whose livelihood depends on music are
ignored and marginalized instead of being in the mainstream of folk music development.
Hence, many indigenous people who depended on music for their livelihood are now forced
to look for other means of livelihood.

c. Rationale of the study

There are mainly two reasons for the study of folk music. First of all folk music represents
the country. Folk music is music which originates in and is handed down by oral tradition
amongst common people. For Indigenous culture, music and song are central to identity,
place and belonging, and are an expression of a unique and continuing tradition. Indigenous
music has an important place in the transmission and survival of Indigenous cultures. In this
regard music culture becomes one of the major tourism products since culture is one of the
main attractions for tourists.

Through the culture of music, folk musicians can represent the country worldwide and attract
more and more tourist by showing the authenticity of the country and representing the people
of Nepal in general. The revival of music will also help re-awaken the cultural consciousness
among the Nepali people.

Secondly, music is not just a part of culture but also a means of livelihood and income
generating source for many indigenous people. Music in itself is a thriving industry. Music

3
Gaines are us; The songs of the gaines carry the Nepali soul by Naresh Newar
contributes to the cultural industry which if allowed to develop can make a significant
contribution to economic development and social integration without neglecting the human
development aspect.

Hence, despite the apathy to indigenous music, we are yet to explore indigenous musicians’
creative capacity and to market the traditional musicians internationally. The need for today is
not just to preserve and promote folk music but also to create an environment where folk
music will be economically rewarding to the indigenous artists and indigenous people in the
music industry.

2. Research Objectives

i. To find out the impact of folk music in indigenous people’s livelihood and
well-being.

ii. To find out measures to strengthen and maximize the opportunities

available for improving livelihood for indigenous people.

iii. To identify some of the broader lessons regarding mainstreaming and

sustainable development of folk/indigenous knowledge and skills.

3. Literature Review

This chapter gives the researcher an idea about the problem and what others have done in
the past in order to guide the researcher on how to proceed to investigate the problem.
The sources of the literature review includes- the textbooks, Journals, and other relevant
sources.

Culture should be seen as central to any form of development in the pursuit of economic
prosperity and national unity. Meaningful and sustainable development must emanate from
the culture of the people. The protection, development and promotion of culture, therefore,
are imperative responsibilities of the government. From the perspective of culture and
poverty programs, culture is defined as inclusive of creative expression, skills, traditional
knowledge and cultural resources that form part of the lives of peoples and societies, serving
as bases for social engagement and enterprise development. (Medium-Term Philippine
Development Plan 2004-2010). According to Throsby, the first attempt to extend the idea of
sustainability to culture was in the World omission for culture and Development (WCCD)
report, Our Creative Diversity (1995)

Professor Andy Arthurs (Queensland University of Technology) Inverting the Pyramid –

investing in our creative music makers: A perspective on creative industries’ impact on our
musical live;2007.

The British Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) defines
the creative industries as: “[t]hose industries that are based on individual creativity, skill and
talent. They are also those that have the potential to create wealth and jobs through
developing intellectual property. This includes advertising, architecture, the art and antiques
market, crafts, design, designer fashion, film and video, interactive leisure software, music,
the performing arts, publishing, software, computer and video games, television and radio.”

The report shows that creativity is a key driver of the 21st century, economically,
industrially, and socially. Besides that music, in all its forms, is the backbone of the
creative industry. The report find out that there is a need to promote creative
enterpreneurship as an important quality that needs to be further developed in
musicians ( and all artists) of the future.

Most musicians have few financial safety nets and find themselves living the creative
industries ethos daily. Thus have to ensure that they connect with performaers and
audiences in various modes and medis by using ideas that have cultural relevance.
This, put another way, means creating music that is relevant to our culture, be that
with a home-grown product, or one that is value-added from elsewhere.

Australian Council for the Arts, Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian Music, 2nd
edition ,2007.

The protocol guides endorse Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights – the
rights of Indigenous people to own and control their cultural heritage. These rights are
confirmed in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous
 Peoples,which says Indigenous people have the right to practice and revitalise their
cultural traditions and customs.

Indigenous music is a voice that crosses boundaries. It is the true voice of this country
because it is linked to the land. It enriches this nation, and shows the nation’s true
identity (David Milroy).

Indigenous music is an important part of Indigenous culture. Music is about

expressing cultural belonging. It is part of ceremony, storytelling, celebration,
mourning, coming together and telling of events in Indigenous people’s lives, both
past and present. For Indigenous cultures music and song are central to identity, place
and belonging, and are an expression of a unique and continuing tradition.

Indigenous Australians are concerned that there is no respect for their Indigenous
cultural knowledge, stories and other cultural expression in the wider Australian
cultural landscape. Concerns include the current legal framework that does not
promote or protect the rights of Indigenous people – particularly to own and control
representation and dissemination of their stories, knowledge and other cultural
expression.

S.Rengasamy-Introducion to livelihood Approach; Introduction to Livelihood Promotion-

Madurai Institute of Social Sciences.

The livelihood of a household or individual can be interpreted as their ‘means of living’. A

livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and social resources)
and activities required for a means of living. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope
with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and
assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base'
(Chambers, R. and G. Conway, 1992).

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) differentiates between a job and a
livelihood, which are often used interchangeably.
 "A job connotes one particular activity or trade that is performed in exchange for
payment. It is also a formal agreement, as manifested by a contract, between an employer and
employee...... . A job can, however, comprise part of an overall livelihood, but does so only to
complement other aspects of a livelihood portfolio.

"A livelihood, on the other hand, is engagement in a number of activities which, at

times, neither require a formal agreement nor are limited to a particular trade. Livelihoods
may or may not involve money. Jobs invariably do. Livelihoods are self-directing. .... .
Livelihoods are based on income derived from "jobs", but also on incomes derived from
assets and entitlements. ""a means of living or of supporting life and meeting individual and
community needs"
The primary reason to promote livelihoods is the belief in the essential right of all
human beings to equal opportunity. Poor people do not have life choices nor do they
have opportunities. Ensuring that a poor household has a stable livelihood will
substantially increase its income, and over a period of time, asset ownership, self-
esteem and social participation. The second reason for livelihood promotion is to
promote economic growth. The third reason for promoting livelihoods is to ensure
social and political stability. When people are hungry, they tend to take to violence,
crime.

Meic Llewellyn & Norma Blackstock., A taste of traditional Nepali music, Wrexham Peace & 
Justice News, oct – dec,  2008

Nepali people regard music as indispensable in every ceremony and rite of passage, from
birth to death - and even after death, during funeral rituals and annual ceremonies to
remember deceased ancestors. But in spite of the importance of music in Nepali life, the
musicians themselves have always held a lowly position in society, regarded as Dalit or
untouchable by most people in higher castes.

Due to their lowly position, musicians were usually uneducated and music and lyrics
rarely written down. Melodies, lyrics, dance steps and instrument-making techniques
were, until recently, passed down through the generations from father to son in an
unbroken chain.
Morris Hargreaves McIntyre., Impact of Folk Festivals on Cultural Tourism, January 2003

Folk is no longer, if it ever was, a minority music. This report celebrates its position as an
historic part of our national heritage, a hobby, a passion, an industry and clearly a source of
entertainment for thousands of people.

Festivals have a remarkable ability to retain tourism visitors and win their loyalty. Unlike
much investment in tourism, investment in folk festivals results in almost guaranteed
repeat business. Folk music and folk festivals are key to the socio-economic and cultural
life of our communities.

There is a lot of debate on the sustainable livelihood approach. The U.K. government agency,
the Department for International Development (DFID), has the most notable debate on
dealing with the sustainable livelihood approach. Sustainable livelihood Approach (SLA) is
centred on people and their livelihood by looking and prioritizing people’s assets ( tangible
and intangible), their ability to withstand shocks ( the vulnerability context), and policies and
institutions that reflect poor people’s priorities rather than those of the elite ( Sustainable
Livelihood Approaches: www. Livelihoods.org/SLdefn.html). Within their SL guidance
sheets, DFID, U.K. (1999) has clearly presented main factors that affect people’s livelihoods
and the typical relationship. The DFID sees that livelihood is the means by which households
obtain and maintain access to the resources necessary to ensure their immediate and long-
term survival. This framework and concept of SL development is central to strategies for
rural poverty reduction.

4. Methodology

The methodologies that can be used while doing the study would be individual/ group
interview or in-depth interview with folk artists, promoters, folk development agencies,
music museum personnel, media, local communities and so on. More specifically, as this
study is not so much about music per se and more on the livelihood of indigenous people
supported by the music, the methodology used would be related to DFID’s livelihood
perspective approach. This methodology focuses on the individual household and seeks to
understand the various capabilities available to the household (defined as human, social,
 financial, natural and physical capital) to form a means of living (known as a livelihood
strategy).

Besides this, techniques such as Participatory Rural Appraisal and Rapid Rural Appraisal
along with observation, case studies of people contributing to folk music, focused group
discussion etc will also be used for this study.

5. Expected Research contribution

Indigenous people’s contribution in Folk music and music industry will be recognized. Better
understanding of how indigenous music contributes to sustainable livelihood will help
mainstreaming indigenous people in the music industry while considering folk music. Such
type of development would be people-centred based on self-reliance and preservation of
culture.

Besides Indigenous wellbeing, new markets and business opportunities will be generated by
promoting the folk music, instruments and musicians. In this way cultural products can be
successfully developed, marketed and packaged to benefit the creative industry and economy
as a whole. This will result in better understanding of the opportunities for mainstreaming
cultural activities for economic development.

The overall result would enable the environment to attract non-indigenous domestic and
international audiences which will further develop the prospect of tourism and affect the local
livelihood of the indigenous people. Such a positive milieu will facilitate preservation and
conservation of the indigenous people’s culture. The study will also show how music
contributes to poverty reduction and help marginalized people and most overlooked groups of
artisans in Nepal to improve their livelihood. Through music, this paper will help identify
wide range of opportunities and choices that indigenous people have in order to pursue their
livelihood goals.

References

Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO

Available at: http://www.accu.or.jp/ich/en/policies/C_NPL.html
Australian Council for the Arts, Protocols for producing Indigenous Australian Music, 2nd
edition ,2007.Available at: www.australiacouncil.gov.au

ChhalPhal: Gandharba Culture and the Tradition of Nepali Folk Music By Stephanie A.
Spray. Available at: http://wearenepali.blogspot.com/2009/04/stephanie-anne-spray-spoke-
on-rich.html

Creative Economy, the challenge of assessing the creative economy: towards informed
policy-making; UNDP,UNCTAD, 2008

Data Base on Traditional/Folk performing arts in Asia and Pacific- A basic Model;
Available at: http://www.accu.or.jp/ich/en/data/C_NPL.html

Gaines are us; The songs of the gaines carry the Nepali soul by NARESH NEWAR
Available at: http://community.livejournal.com/everestbuddha/5301.html

http://www.sursudha.com/about.html

http://www.nepalmountainnews.com/news.php/2008/05/26/sukarma-to-promote-nepal-in-
europe-through-music.html 26th may 2008

Indigenous contemporary music action plan: Towards a stronger Indigenous contemporary

music sector; Contemporary Music Development Working Group of the Cultural Ministers
Council; 2008.

Leonardo (Don) A.N. Dioko “Packaging” Heritage for Tourism: Modeling the Effects on the
Practice and Transmission of Intangible Heritage Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao. Available
at: http://ictlconference.googlepages.com/67.Leonardo.Dioko.RP.pdf

Livelihood Connects. Available at: http://www.eldis.org/go/topics/dossiers/livelihoods-

connect/what-are-livelihoods-approaches

Music in Australia Knowledge Base

Available at: http://mcakb.wordpress.com/performance/australian-indigenous-music/
Music to Prevent Poverty-Antonio Abreu By Maria Madrid & Eric Schneider,PNYV!
Venezuela

Nepalese Urbanism: A musical Exploration, Ingemar Grandin, Anthropology of Nepal,

peoples, problems and processes, Michael Allen, 1994

Nepali music specialists call for conservation of folk music, source Xinhua
Available at: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/90874/6530164.html

NEPAL: Nepali youngsters in love with traditional music

http://beacononline.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/nepal-nepali-youngsters-in-love-with-
traditional-music/

Nepali Folklore Society http://nepalfolklore.org/projects.html

Prof. Tulasi Diwasa Prof. Chura Mani Bandhu Mr. Bhim Nepal;The Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Nepal: Future Directions, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization,2007

Professor Andy Arthurs (Queensland University of Technology) Inverting the Pyramid –

investing in our creative music makers: A perspective on creative industries’ impact on our
musical live;2007.

State of India’s Livelihoods: The 4 Report; edited by Dr. Sankar Datta, Vipin Sharma;
ACCESS Development Services 2008 Available at:
http://www.microfinanceindia.org/download_reports/the_soil%20report_2008.pdf

Sustainable Livelihoods: Lessons from early experience; Caroline Ashley and Diana Carney,
DFID; Available at: http://www.eldis.org/vfile/upload/1/document/0902/DOC7388.pdf

Tapping into musical heritage to create a livelihood for rural Angola

http://www.powerofculture.nl/uk/current/2004/february/tsikaya.html

The Impact of Folk Festival, Morris Hargreaves McIntyre, march 2004

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

http://www.unctad.org/Templates/StartPage.asp?intItemID=4577&lang=1