Nepal has a vibrant music scene and Gharana hopes to bring Western classical into the mix
A four-day international music festival in Kathmandu next week aims to promote western classical music appreciation and education in Nepal and will feature performances from world-renowned musicians.
The festival is organised by the non-profit Gharana Music Foundation which was established earlier this year by Dan Linden, an American classical guitarist and music teacher based in Kathmandu.
Nepal has a vibrant music scene that has strong Indian classical elements and traditional Nepali folk, and Kathmandu has become hub for jazz and blues festivals. Gharana hopes to bring classical Western music into the mix.
“Our main aim is not to entertain but to educate,” Linden said. What helps make the Gharana festival so unique is that in addition to world class performances there will be free music workshops open to the Nepali public. The performers themselves will lead the workshops which will be attended by the music and art community of Kathmandu.
“It is the first time an international classical festival is being presented in such a concentrated way with this level of artistry and with unique educational opportunities for students interested in the genre,” Linden explained.
Some of the festival’s key acts include a solo performance by well-known New York-based cellist, Laura Metcalf, as well as performances from acclaimed guitarists Rupert Boyd, Ana Maria Rosado and Paul Cesarczyk. It will also feature local artists like tabala player Rabin Lal Shrestha and didgeridoo player Salil Subedi.
While the workshops are open to the general public, spaces are limited. Linden hopes to make this an annual music event in Nepal. As he said: “We want to see Kathmandu become a music destination and a city where the arts can flourish”.
Gharana Music Festival
8-11 October
Yak & Yeti Hotel
Tickets: Rs 500
(Rs 250 for students)
Available at: (Café Soma, Patan and Baluwatar), Himalayan Java (Thamel), Mandala Book Point (Jamal), The Old House (Durbar Marg), Le Sherpa (Lajimpat)
Pre-register for workshops: info@gharanamusicfoundation.org