Jhuma Limbu's Bauju: Best release of the year so far

By Mannu Shahi

Jhuma Limbu is a stellar musical gem who has dedicated her life to the preservation, research and affluence of music from the Limbu tribes located in far eastern regions of the country. Amidst the many repertoires of the traditional Limbu song structures, the singer has been specialising in the “Hakparay” style of singing for nearly two decades. 

With an aim of transmitting the music, its traditions and its way of life to the new generation, she continues her active involvement in experimenting with new ideas and resources to create a more inclusive and palatable sonic realm.

Acknowledging the lack of a lower-registered instrument in Nepali traditional music, the singer initiated her journey in organology. Collaborating with eastern Nepali luthiers, she developed a new percussion resembling genuine Nepali aesthetics, generating a much larger and deeper sound.

Influenced by the instruments employed by Rai and Gurung shamans of Solukhumbu and Okhaldunga districts, a single-headed barrel drum named ‘Dhela’ was manifested which is said to resemble an almost upright bass timbre.

This instrument is now used in her live performances and new recordings with her ensemble ‘Raithane’, a collective of musicians, singers, journalists, researchers and critics working towards the combined aim of flourishing Nepali folk music by archiving various musical cultures via print or audio-visual mediums.

Raithane comprises Shambhu Baniya and Paras Mani Subedi on percussions, Nirita Yakthumba on bass, Moa Nicolas Edmunds Guevara on guitars, Tomas Carrasco Gubernatis on flute, Manish Gandharva on sarangi and Jhuma Limbu as the band leader and vocalist.

Besides her inclination towards folk culture, the songstress is also a trained Eastern classical disciple and a popular aadhunik (modern) playback singer who has worked with eminent Nepali musicians like Amber Gurung, Dipak Jangam, Ashok Mukarung and Ashok Rasik to name a few. 

Her discography features Amber Sangeet (2014) and Sounds of Mundhum (2018). The singer’s debut album was a tribute to her mentor Amber Gurung, co-written with the musician’s eldest child, western classical guitarist and ethnomusicologist Kishor Gurung. Her sophomore entry was created in collaboration with world music disciple and folk guitarist Ganga Thapa (Namlo).       

One of the finest works of art in recent times from the Nepali music scene “Sounds of Mundhum” was launched on March 15, 2023, at Thameside Theatre, UK, where the Namlo band accompanied Jhuma Limbu. The luscious production credit for the album is given to the band's guitarist/producer Bishwo Shahi.

And last Friday, June 30, the singer released her most awaited single ‘Bauju’ featuring Dikra Badi and Ganga Thapa. Based on the deuda melody of far-western Nepal, the song was curated by Dikra Badi; music was produced and arranged by Ganga Thapa; additional melodic contributions by Jhuma Limbu; and lyrics by Harka Saud and Hemant Biswas. 

Additionally, the single features instrumentalists Anudwatt Dhakal on bass; Shambhu Baniya and Sundar Kumar Maharjan on percussion; Veecheet Dhakal on violin; Manice Gandharba on sarangi; Bishwo Shahi on the audio mix and master.

The tune kicks off with a groovy bass line, layers of ambient spacey guitar fills and a catchy vocal chorus. The whole band takes over making way for the heart-warming vocals; great percussive work; profound guitar centrepieces and solo magnified by the desert-rock tone; tungna-like base layer flatters the entire composition; celestial vocal harmonies; eccentric song structure; engaging visual works. Kudos to the entire team for such a grand execution. 

The single is available on all major platforms, so please support such passionate creatives in pushing the envelopes of Nepali music to a global scale. A must-listen for any individual concerned with uplifting and supporting the Nepali music scene.