Traditional Magar songs dying out

By Santosh Dahit,Dang, Dec. 8: The traditional Magar songs, which have long been an inseparable part of wedding rituals in the Tharu community, is on the verge of extinction.  

Elders of the community said that this melody, once considered a crucial part of marriage, is now fading into the shadow of modern music.

Recalling earlier days, senior citizen Jagbir Tharu of Ghorahi-17 said, “Back then, separate groups of men and women would sing Magar songs throughout the ceremony, filling the entire village with a festive atmosphere. Now, DJs have completely replaced Magar songs.”

They said that as traditional wedding attire, symbolic of Tharu identity, culture, and heritage, gradually disappears, the very foundation of the culture is weakening.

According to Jagbir, the groom used to be easily identified from afar by his white attire and ‘Paghiya’. Nowadays, among people wearing similar suits and ties, it is difficult to distinguish the groom and his party.

He added, “The Magar songs would begin at the moment the groom dressed up in traditional attire. Its tune continued until the bride was formally welcomed into the house.”

In Tharu weddings, different forms of Magar songs were sung at each stage of the ceremony. 

Tharu leader Bejhalal Chaudhary recalled that from the beginning to the end of the ritual, Magar songs added liveliness and beauty to the entire wedding atmosphere.

There used to be numerous systems and customs related to Tharu marriage traditions, such as Barka Bhwaj, Sattapatta Bhwaj, Jhangaha Bhwaj, Damaha Bhwaj, Urhi Bhwaj, Bhoujahi Bhwaj, and Bhwar Bhwaj. But today, only Barka Bhwaj, an arranged marriage and Urhi Bhwaj, an elopement, are still widely practised.

“Earlier, Wednesday of the month of Falgun was considered the most auspicious date for marriage,” Bejhalal said. “But now weddings are conducted even between Mangsir and Magh.”

With the fading of the Magar tradition passed down for generations, community leaders believe that the identity of the Tharu community is being affected. 

“A wedding never felt complete without hearing Magar songs. Today, that originality is disappearing,” Bejhalal said.

Young resident Bikas Chaudhary of Ghorahi-7 said, “Young people today don’t know how to sing Magar."

According to him, the disappearance of Magar songs is not just about losing music, it is about the fading of Tharu cultural identity.

Community elders have requested that there must be awareness campaigns and learning opportunities for the younger generation to preserve Magar songs.

 Without intergenerational transmission, this cultural heritage faces a growing risk of extinction