Horns shaped like dragon heads, stringed instruments profusely decorated with carvings of gods and goddesses, rows of neatly stacked guitars, drum sets, and keyboards, the Nepal Traditional Music Centre in Mangal Bajar is more a museum than a shop. Run by Hari Kul (pic, above) and his family, the store has been manufacturing, selling, and repairing traditional instruments that most Nepalis have forgotten about alongside more popular western contraptions since four generations.
This combination of tradition and modernity, says Hari, is meant to help conserve Nepal’s unique musical heritage. “Young Nepalis don’t want to pick up a sarangi or a madal, but we can attract them through a fusion of the old and new,” explains the 50-year-old who also runs a music academy housed right above the shop.
His students include 60-year-olds who come to learn classical instruments as well as those wanting to study modern music. In order to encourage youngsters to take up Nepali instruments, Hari accommodates both western and traditional music styles at the academy. One way he does this is by using madals in the formation of a drum set. “Learning any instrument is not hard. But you need complete dedication and understanding,” he says.
The veteran first learnt to play and build instruments from his father. He joined the army in 1974 as a musician where he played the drums and Nepali percussion instruments in the marching band. After retirement in 1998 he returned to Patan to take care of family business. Hari mostly designs and builds percussion equipment like madals, sarangis, drums, and arbaja, a unique instrument once played by the Gandharvas. Once students master their instrument, he teaches them how to make one. The madals produced here take at least three years to complete and are one of the best in the country because the shop uses only seasoned wood. “If the wood isn’t seasoned, the madal will not last nearly as long and sound quality won’t be good,” he explains.
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Aashish Kul (pic, left), 22 has quickly picked up tricks of the trade and is an expert instrument maker and salesman himself. “So far our business has done very well. Now I want to introduce Nepali instruments to the outside world,” says Aashish.
While most music stores in the Valley rely heavily on western instruments to boost sales, the Kul family has shown that it is possible to make a profit and maintain a balance between local and global styles at the same time. “Music will always be around. Even if it disappears now, it will come back later; it is that powerful,” says the senior Kul.
Nepal Traditional Music Centre
Mangal Bajar
(01)5532947
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Musical gems
Arbaja
Nepali-styled banjo once played by the Gandharva community. Not in common use anymore.
Naagbeli
Newari horn instrument that is shaped like a dragon. Not in common use anymore.
Sarangi
Common Nepali stringed instrument. Popular in folk music.
Dhimey
Drum hung around the neck, used during Newari festivals.
Purano Sarangi
An older version of the sarangi, not in use anymore.
Khaijadi
Traditional Nepali-styled tambourine, completely hand-made using ox hide, seasoned wood, and bronze. Today it has been replaced by plastic tambourines.