After two decades, Nepathya adds a song from Karnali

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 12:The folk-rock band Nepathya has once again brought the whispers and sighs of Karnali to the song ‘Karnalika Chhaila’ after a long hiatus.

 The song was developed by singer Amrit Gurung was officially released on Saturday in Kathmandu.

The song features a music video directed by audio-visual creator Bhusan Dahal.

Although the song has just been released, many followers of Nepathya were already aware of it nearly twenty years ago, according to a press release issued by Nepalaya. 

 In the documentary Bhedako Oon Jasto, which portrays the band's musical quest, both singer Amrit and the song’s collector Narayan Wagle were seen humming this song. 

The song is based on the folk tune ‘Tappa’, which is especially popular in Salyan and surrounding districts. 

singer Gurung composed it after traveling to that very region.

The refrain of this song was discovered around the same time as the song Sa Karnali from the album Bhedako Oon Jasto, said Gurung.  

“In 2001, I first heard this song from Angad Hamal and collector Laxmikanta Upadhyay, who had come from Dolpa,” Amrit revealed during the event. “In 2008, I recorded it once, but it didn’t feel complete, so I shelved it.”

He explained that even after that, the song remained on his mind during many visits to the Karnali region. 

After participating in several rural music gatherings in Salyan last year, he felt mentally ready to finally complete it. 

Singer Gurung said that during the song’s collection, he found plenty of local lines in the native tongue. Due to the limitations of the ‘Tappa’ style, the most effort went into skilfully incorporating those lines into the melody.

The music video, presented at Saturday’s event, has been made available for a limited time on a pay-to-view basis, mentioned in the press release. 

 According to the press release, they have set a minimum fee of Rs. 10 within Nepal and at least 1 dollar internationally to watch the music video.”