Fuzzscape

24/09/2021

"Fuzzscape: Gaurhya Gaun" had been selected. Thank you WOMEX Film Programme for the honour.

The WOMEX Film Library is a physical space that features an extended selection of films highlighting new projects, collaborations along with previews of unreleased films. The films in the library are independent of a scheduled screening and can be watched by WOMEX delegates on-demand at anytime between 11:00-17:00 from Thursday 28 October through Saturday 30 October.

24/09/2021

"Fuzzscape: Gaurhya Gaun" had been selected. Thank you WOMEX Film Programme for the honour.

The WOMEX Film Library is a physical space that features an extended selection of films highlighting new projects, collaborations along with previews of unreleased films. The films in the library are independent of a scheduled screening and can be watched by WOMEX delegates on-demand at anytime between 11:00-17:00 from Thursday 28 October through Saturday 30 October.

Directed by Prasiit Sthapit Duration 21’ | Nepali, Tharu with English subtitles Fuzzscape: Gaurhya Gaun follows Kathmandu-based music producers Rajan Shrestha and Rohit Shakya to Gaurhya Gaun in western Nepal, the home of theatre artist Pranab Akash. They explore the rich landscape and culture of ...

01/09/2021

The quest for dignity is as much about affirming the reservoir of Dalit memory as rich and ineradicable as it is about bringing recognition to Dalit labor and Dalit contribution to society. It is about the gods they have worshipped, stories they have told, myths they have created, and beliefs they have held. It is about their music, their songs and their arts.

Images and text excerpt from Dalit: A Quest For Dignity
Book published by: Nepal Picture Library

01/08/2021

Hira Hajara from inner Parsa sings "Hamaru Balamawa Kawa Na Desh?", a song of longing for the ones who've left their homes to earn a living. Like everywhere else in Nepal, foreign migration is on the rise in Parsa as well. For centuries, people were forced to cross the border to India for work. Now, destinations may have changed, but the reality remains the same.

22/07/2021

Barta Gandharba is a singer/songwriter, composer and a sarangi player based in Kathmandu. She hails from Mangding, a gandarbha village nestled on the red-mudded hillocks of Jarayotar, where she picked up the sarangi for the first time. A graduate of Lalit Kala Campus and Nepal Music Center, she has taught at the University of Agder in Norway, Nepal Sangeet Vidhyalaya and Arya Tara School. This song was written during her time in Norway when she was missing home immensely, especially her mother. A blues.

Music by Barta Gandharba (Vocals, Sarangi, Composition)
Student Ensemble of University of Agder (Kristiansand, Norway)
Prof. Achyut Ram Bhandari (Madal)

Video by Fuzz Factory Productions

12/07/2021

'Fulai Laaunla Kesari, Khaaunla Besari’, sung by Dambar Bahadur Gandharba (accompanied by Barta Gandharba and Laxmi Gandharba) is a song full of humour, written using witty alliteration. Dambar Gandharba is a veteran Sarangi virtuoso and singer, well respected in his own community as well as the larger music sphere. This performance was a part of, ‘Melba Devi Festival’, a two day music festival organized by Kalakuti and hosted at Yala Maya Kendra on April 2011.

06/07/2021

Customary musical obligations were occasionally cause for maltreatment of Dalits as the public events during which Dalits played their instruments were also occasions for demonstrating caste discipline. Dalits can be beaten up for refusing to play their instruments. Yet the popularity of their music has also given Dalit communities a steady sense of their achievement and ability. It has aided the Dalit claim for cultural distinction. Their eminence in the folk traditions if Nepal has meant that music plays an important role for Dalit pride and self-esteem.

Images and text excerpt from Dalit: A Quest For Dignity
Book published by: Nepal Picture Library

01/07/2021

Sung by Karna Bahadur Gandharba in the traditional 'Ghatana' form, this song tells the story of Mahendra BB Shah's death in 2028 BS and the events that followed.
Ghatana, literally translating to “incident” is a genre-song retelling news-worthy events. Gandharbas used to be bearers of news before newspapers became popular in Nepal. The travelling musicians used to gather news from villages and towns, and retell them in a song.
This was recorded at Karna Bahadur Gandharba's home in Mangding, Bhojpur for Fuzzscape 'Bhojpur'.
He unfortunately passed away on May 19,2021. We extend our heartfelt condolence to the family, friends and the village of Mangding. May his song be written and sung in the tunes of history as well.

28/06/2021

‘Automatic Chhuri’, sung by Laxmi Gandharba (accompanied by Barta Gandharba and Dambar Bahadur Gandharba) retells a horrific story of a murder. On Mangsir 18, 2034 in Chyamche, Manang, a father takes the life of his own daughter when she refuses to give him her jewelries to feed his gambling addiction. This song follows the Ghatana tradition.

Ghatana, literally translating to “incident” is a genre-song retelling news-worthy events. Gandharbas used to be bearers of news before newspapers became popular in Nepal. The travelling musicians used to gather news from villages and towns, and retell them in a song.

This performance was a part of, ‘Melba Devi Festival’, a two day music festival organized by Kalakuti and hosted at Yala Maya Kendra on April 2011.

20/06/2021

हार्दिक श्रद्धान्जली...
हरिलाल दाईसंग फजस्केप-दाङ्ग गर्दा ताका भेट भाको हो हाम्रो। कलाकार र सांस्कृतिक अभियन्ता उनी, साथी प्रणव आकाशको (Pranab Akash) नाताले हजुरबुबा। उहाँको अब्बल मन्दरा (मादल) बजाएकि र बजाउँदै मज्जाले नाँच्ने शैलीले हामीलाई साह्रै प्रभाव पारेको थियो, पहिलो भेट मै। उहाँ जत्तिको मादल बजाउने कलाकार कमै भेट्याछौं हामीले हाम्रो यात्राहरुमा। उहाँ अचानक बितेको खबर पाउँदा फजस्केप परिवार स्तब्ध भएकाछौं। हिजो जस्तो लाग्छ उहाँसंग सिकेको, आज त हरिलाल दाई रहेनन् रे । उहाँको आत्माले शान्ति पाओस्।