The popular folk song Rato Bhale Kyaya Kyaya may not be a favourite among today's MTV generation in Nepal. And few today might remember that it was performed by musician Arjun Chainpure. A madal player and singer, Arjun's rendition of the folk song gave it a new popularity. "We early musicians had dreams. We were motivated to keep alive the folk tradition," says the 40-year old percussionist/singer who earns his livelihood selling musical instruments from his shop in Thamel. "In this age, the madal, sarangi and the panchai baja don't play too well. They weep," he says.

Arjun Chainpure was born Arjun Shrestha in Chainpur in eastern Nepal. He started playing music at 14, a year after he left home for Kathmandu. "My first jagir was at the Sanskritik Sansthan as a madal player in 1974," he recalls. "I really had a hard time because I did not know the art of chakari," he says about not being able to butter the bosses at the "Cultural Corporation". Chainpure considers himself lucky to be finally doing what he set out to do-play folk music, teach others and tour the world. Chainpure venerates the likes of Ambar Gurung, Gopal Yonzon, Narayan Gopal, Hari Bhakta Katuwal, Bhupi Sherchan and Nagendra Thapa. "But ultimately, I respect every musician who can see beyond greed, jealousy and the ego," he says.

Chainpure is thrilled to play for visitors in his shop who come to marvel at his collection of Nepali percussion instruments, sharing space with the African djembes, sub-continental instruments like the dholak and mridangam, damaru, sitar, guitar, didgeridoo, and singing bowls. A fairly large number of tourists take time off during their stay here to take lessons from the madal maestro.

You might wonder why he never takes off his shades-we don't know either. There is something he doesn't want to remember concerning his left eye. As with many early Nepali musicians, who made a name for themselves through sheer devotion and sincerity, Chainpure struggled to find his place. "But it all paid off. With effort and the company of my madal, I have travelled all over the world.

His album, Rhythms of Nepal, instructs one on the intricacies of playing the madal, while the forthcoming Nepali Jharana is fusion-percussion beats of ethnic instrument from Africa to the high mountains of Nepal. And his parting shot: "I am a rich man because I have many friends. Friendship is my faith, music my soul." All we can add to that is: Dhintang! t

For more on Chainpure, visit: www.thamel.com/affiliates/96.htm