Gandarbha

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Gandarbha singing and playing the Nepali sarangi.
Sarangi Music by Balaram Gandarbha.ogg
A song performed by Balaram Gandarbha in Kathmandu

The Gandarbha caste (Nepali: गन्धर्व जाति) or Gaine (Nepali: गाईने) are a Dalit community which belongs to the Indo-Aryan ethnic group from the central, hilly region of Nepal. They have also been called a "caste of professional musicians" and "itinerant bards."[1][2] By tradition they make their living by singing[1] or , a type of folk song. The Gandarbhas traditionally work as travelling musicians and play traditional folk and historical songs.[2] They improvise songs too, incorporating news into them as a service, in return for which they receive donations of food or other things.[2] They use the Nepali sarangi, a type of violin, as their main musical instrument.[1] The sarangi has been an iconic musical instrument identified with the Gandarbha people.[2] The instrument has replaced another instrument they played, the aarbajo, which was larger and "more cumbersome."[1]

Due to many caste-based discriminations in Nepal, the government of Nepal legally abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D.[3] With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state,[4] and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic,[5] ending it as the Hindu Kingdom with its caste-based discriminations and the untouchability roots.[6]

Popular Gandarbhas[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d James McConnachie; Rough Guides (Firm) (2000). World music: the rough guide. Rough Guides. pp. 198–. ISBN 978-1-85828-636-5. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Kadel, Ram Prasad (2007). Musical Instruments of Nepal. Katmandu, Nepal: Nepali Folk Instrument Museum. p. 246. ISBN 978-9994688302.
  3. ^ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Nepal: Deadly caste-based attacks spur outcry over social discrimination | DW | 16.06.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  4. ^ "Nepal king stripped of most powers". CNN. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Nepal votes to abolish monarchy". BBC News. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  6. ^ Crossette, Barbara (3 June 2001). "Birenda, 55, Ruler of Nepal's Hindu Kingdom". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 April 2020.

External links[]


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