Tamghas students keep Naumati Baja alive

By Our Correspondent ,Gulmi, Jan. 5: Students dressed in school uniforms are often seen playing the traditional Naumati Baja at most formal events held in Tamghas, the district headquarters of Gulmi.

Under the ‘Learn While You Earn’ programme, students from a local community school who have been trained in Naumati Baja regularly perform at local festivals, religious rituals, school functions and municipal programmes.

Students of Grades 9 and 10 at Resunga Secondary School in Tamghas continue their academic studies while also participating in musical performances outside the school. 

The school has provided formal training in Naumati Baja and has formed two separate groups. In recent times, students from the school have begun to achieve a level of self-reliance through traditional folk music.

The initiative was introduced to identify students' abilities and preserve indigenous folk culture. 

With financial support from Resunga Municipality, the school provided training to equip students with practical skills alongside their education through learning to play the Naumati Baja.

Student Sudip Pariyar said that various organisations invite them to perform at different programmes.

“They ask us to play music for a short time during events, and we receive some remuneration,” he said. “Along with our studies, we are earning as well. The skills we have learned are giving us recognition.”

Under the municipality’s ‘Learn While You Earn’ programme, 36 students participated in the training in three phases. The training aimed to develop skills alongside formal education and support students by linking those skills with income generation.

According to school principal Bhagirath Bhandari, various organisations now invite students to perform for short durations at programmes.

“Students are invited to events such as morning rallies and processions. A certain percentage of the remuneration they receive is deposited into an instrument maintenance fund,” he said. “The remaining amount is distributed among the students who perform.”

In addition to preserving and promoting the gradually disappearing Naumati Baja culture, the initiative has helped students reconnect with their indigenous heritage. 

Students have shown keen interest and active participation in this ‘learn while you earn’ approach.