Wednesday, December 1, 2010

RELIGION OF MUSIC

          
          The music of Nepal is just as motley, ranging from folk music to music associated with religious activities, classical music and a collection of contemporary styles. Music is associated with every event in Nepal, then be it birth, marriage, festivals or National events.In every religion, social and cultural life of we Nepalese includes various songs, musical instruments and dancing.In a simple word music can be described as the heartbeat of Nepal.Since the birth to the death of every Nepali people from different culture, music and dancing is very much essential.In Nepali music, there are pop, rock, folk and classical.There are music like Newari music, Khas music, Gurung music, Kirat music, Tamang music, Magar music, Sherpa music, Maithili music, Bhojpuri music and many more.

       In Newari music, percussion instruments, some wind instruments are used.But string instruments are not used.All the castes have their musical tunes and bands. Music is cherished by people of all walks of life. There are tunes of certain festivals and seasons and even of certain times of day. The God of artists called Nâsadya is found in all the Newar localities. The presence of a Newari musical band in a guthi is considered as a sign of opulence.Some of the Newari Tunes like Malshree tunes, Mangal tunes are used during the Dashain festival.


   
Khas music belongs to the Khas society where castes like Damai used to play a number of instruments on occasions such as marriages, birth and other feasts. This tradition is now on decline owing to the growing popularity of television, radio and other means of mass communication. The minstrels used to play instruments like Sarangi but even the Gaine are declining in number.

TANTRISM

        Religions like Hinduism and Buddhism are strongly influenced by this religion called Tantrism.This religion resembles the attachment of male(nefesh) and female(chajah) not on just for sexual point of view but also the combination of their spirit and soul giving the living soul its full meaning.On the mystical plane, the spirit is regarded as male and the soul which animates the body as female. This is the well known duality of animus and anima.Tantrism can be explained as like a candle with its elements of light and darkness resembling male and female.Tantrism is also a religion of moral percepts, meditation, yoga, mantras and a philosophy that believes in interwovenness of all things.This riligion was originated in asia mostly from Nepal, so tourists come to visit Nepal to know what Tantrism really is.


        Tantrism has greatly influenced Nepalese Buddhism by creating the path of Vajrayana, the Path of the Thunderbolt. The main object used in Vajrayana Buddhist rituals is a small thunderbolt-like sceptre that is said to represent the infinite in three dimensions. A large thunderbolt, or Vajra as it is commonly referred to, can be seen at the entrance of Swayambhu temple at Katmandu on the top of a long flight steps.There are basically two types of Tantric gods and goddesses: Dharmapalas and Yidams. The former is often depicted with flaming red hair, several arms, legs or heads and three eyes. Yidams are tutelary deities often found depicted in thangkas; like their Dharmapala counterparts, they are ferocious deities with many hands and fiercesome weapons.

KIRAT MUNDHUM

         This religion was not so much in practice and there were 36 percent of kirat population following kirat religion, but when it was recognized by Iman Singh Chemjong, it increased by75 percent.3.6 percent of nepali follow this religion.This religion is followed by Limbu people having their own distinct religion known as Yuma Samyo or Yamaism, the believer of supreme almighty goddess Tagera Ningwaphuma.In this religion, people worship mother nature and their ancestors.




Sakela is the main festival of Kirat which is celebrated twice a year distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima(full moon day, which lies in the month of Baisakh.And Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of mangshir.This celebration is the prayer to goddess of nature for good crops and protection from natural calamities.The celebration of Sakela is also known as Chandi Nach.On Chandi Nach, they worship Durga, who is known to them as chandi or chandika.Tihar is another festival that is celebrated by kirat people which is one of the greatest festival of nepal.

SHRIDI SAI BABA

       The shridi sai baba's following began from 19th century in shridi, india.In the beginning sai baba's followers were only a small group from the same place and very few from other places.However, it began to increase in the 20th century.Since 1910 numerous Hindus and Muslims from all parts of india started coming Shridi and became baba's devotees.Hindus worshipped him with their own rituals whereas Muslims with their own.So, this religion is the branch of Hinduism and Muslim.Now in nepal, most of the people follow this religion.There is at least one Sai Baba temple in every nepali cities and villages.


       There are a lots of miracles done by Sai Baba during his life time.Even after his death, people believe that lots of their problems are being solved by him.His following is spreaded even in many places in world.He is also known as the avatar of lord shiva.People having several problems come to visit Sai Baba's temple and prey to god.In return their problems get solve.Due to this, people's faith on Sai Baba is increasing.Most of the people from other religion do respect and have faith on Sai Baba.(Om Sai Shri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai) is the mantra which people chant while going to Sai temple.They believe that this mantra solves their every problems and make their life happy and prosporous.

BRAHMA KUMARI

        This riligion is the branch of hinduism.It supports every religion like christinity,muslim.sikhism and other.Om shanti teaches about spiritual knowledge, nature of soul, god, time and karma.It purifies the spirit and enlight our lifestyle.In nepal, this religion is very famous and the number of followers are increasing rapidly.People follow this religion for the peace of their mind and soul.Om shanti teaches about responsibilities of human beings and help to others.Lekhraj Kripalani, known as "Dada Lekhraj
" and later known as "Brahma Baba" was the founder of this religion. Lekhraj started holding satsangs which attracted many people and the group became known as Om Mandali. In 1937, he named some of his followers to a managing committee, then reportedly transferred his fortune to the committee.


     People following Bramha kumari wear white dress.Men wear white kurtas and women wear white saree.They believe that wearing white keeps their body away from harmful activities.White colour resembles of purity and peace.God (Shiva) is considered to be an eternal soul like human souls but the Supreme one. He is knowledgeful and His purpose is to awaken humanity and restore harmony, giving power through the Brahma Kumaris' practise of Raja Yoga and eliminating evil and negativity.Human and even animal soul, called atmas, are believed to be an infinitesimal point of spiritual light residing in the forehead of the body it occupies. Souls are believed to originally exist with God in a "Soul World", a world of infinite light, peace and silence called Nirvana.This religion brings out our internal soul and makes us feel pure and peaceful.