Attraction towards Madal decreasing

By Mina Kandel,Kawasoti, Oct. 23: With the changing musical environment and the influence of foreign and Western cultures among the youth, the attraction of traditional Nepali musical instruments is fading in recent days. 

 As modernity advances, Nepali folk traditions and cultures are on the verge of disappearing. The younger generation’s increasing inclination towards modern music has put them at risk of extinction.

 However, a few youths in Kawasoti, Eastern Nawalparasi, are still working to preserve their ancestral profession.

Ram Prasad Nepali, who had been running a Madal business for the past 24 years, passed the craft on to his son. 

Vijay Nepali shared that after his father’s death, he has continued the family tradition by operating the Hulaki Madal shop in Kawasoti, which has sustained their family for years. Vijay added that the raw materials needed for Madal makings, such as wood, leather, and glue (khari) are becoming inadequate, and the demand for Madals in the market has decreased.

 This has led to a decline in the sale of Madals.  According to Vijay, the increasing attraction towards modern instruments, rather than traditional ones like the Madal, Dholak, and Damaha, has placed their ancestral profession in jeopardy.

He said, “My father supported our family through the Madal business. A few years ago, we could make around Rs. 25,000 per month from it, but now, it’s not the same.”

 Even though he went abroad for employment, he returned to continue the family profession when his father fell ill. Although the business isn’t thriving as expected, Vijay has stuck with it because it is their ancestral trade.

Bhim Bahadur Nepali, who also runs a Madal business in Kawasoti, said that Madal sales have declined as the tradition of singing folk songs has faded.

 He added that the skill of making Madals is also slowly disappearing. Until a few years ago, during Tihar, villages used to resonate with the sound of Madals.

 People of all ages would sing Deusi and Bhailo and enjoy the festivities in synchronise with the Madal beats.

 However, Bhim Bahadur believes that in recent days, the affection for traditional instruments has diminished.

During Tihar, Madals were primarily used for playing Deusi and Bhailo. 

The Madal business used to thrive around that time, but in recent years, the use of sound systems has pushed the Madal business into crisis