July 06, Kathmandu.
The houses of sagittal and musical masters of Kathmandu, which are always resounding with the rhythm of Baja after evening, are deserted nowadays. Obstacles to walking in the streets to the rhythm of various instruments are no longer seen. Why have the instruments that give identity to the Kathmandu Valley as a cultural city stopped ringing for almost a month now? Local musicians and culturists say there are various reasons behind this.
A Manandhar family from Tahiti, Kathmandu, used to organize traditional instrumental competitions at their own expense. The name of the competition was 'Bhajuvir Sirpa'. Dhime, Ta, Khin and other musicians used to participate in the competition which is organized every year. There was an active group playing instruments in the Manandhar community. But few people knew about playing the Baja according to the cultural norms for about two and a quarter months from Sithi Nakha. The musical competition organized by the same group about 20 years ago was held around Asar (between Sithi Nakha and Gathe Mangal).
Personal invitations were sent to the instrumentalists and teachers of the community. Many expressed commitment to participate. But one person strongly disagreed. According to the cultural belief, the gods of instrumental music will rest at this time, so it is not allowed to play the instrument from Sithi Nakha to Gathe Mangal. Tina Manandhar. After the incident, the word spread in the community that the instrument should not be played at this time.
The tradition of not playing the instrument is not as strict as before. However, instrumental gurus and some artists do not play the Baja at this time considering it as the resting time of Lord Natyeshwar. Some rest it during the rainy season for safety reasons. In any case, it is difficult to hear the melody of the instrument in the streets of Kathmandu and in the houses of Sattal and Guru at this time.
Khin Baja is one of the traditional instruments of Kathmandu that can be played only by a complex and strong player. Instrumentalist Triratna Manandhar says, “Even if someone plays other instruments, the Khin instrument is not played until it is touched at this time. This instrument is often played by instrumentalists and instrumentalists, so they are familiar with this cultural tradition and follow it strictly.
Indra Maharjan, a guru of raga, song and dance from Kilagal Tol, says that there is a culture in Kathmandu where no instrument is played except flute and dholak. These instruments are banned in this season, especially because of the effect of rain on the lake. Both Manandhar and Maharjan say that this culture has given importance to agriculture.
The musicians consider Natyeshwar as their main guru. It is believed that he should be made happy because his blessings fill him with the art of instrumental music. But there is a religious belief that one should not play the Baja at this time as even Natyeshwar rests from Sithi Nakha to Gathe Mangal. During this time, not only Baja but also Jatra festivals are not celebrated.
According to tradition, on the day of Sithi Nakha, the musicians play the tune 'Dyo Lhriyau'. This is a tune played in honour of the deity on the last day. Then the instrument is played. Those who believe in this culture believe that one should not even touch the instrument at this time.
Reasons to stop playing
Instrumentalist Maharjan explains two reasons why he stopped playing at this time. First of all, it is the farming season. The rainy season begins in Kathmandu from Sithi Nakha and the farming season begins. This culture may have been developed to draw the attention of the people of Kathmandu, who always enjoy festivals and musical instruments, to agriculture.
Another reason is the safety of the instrument. As it is always raining in this season, the instrument can get wet. Gurudwara Manandhar and Maharjan, who have developed this culture, believe that it is appropriate to keep the instrument safe at this time as it is more likely to be damaged when it rains.
Instrumentalists believe that the instrument must be protected to please Natyeshwar Bhagwan. So many do not play the instrument at this time.
According to religious beliefs, Lord Natyeshwar also rests from Sithi Nakha. Therefore, in Gathe Mangal, the instrument is not played until one worships Natyeshwar.
Other rituals affected by the rainy season
Other daily rituals that must be performed at this time also seem to be influenced by agriculture. At this time, there are no Jatra festivals in Kathmandu Valley. Apart from daily karma and patriarchal karma, no religious karma and cultural festivals are performed to the fullest extent. One of the obligatory deeds is the tradition of covering one's chest in death rites.
Until 25 years ago, if a person died in a house from Sithi Nakha to Gathemangal, it is customary for the deceased to cover his chest. Manandhar explains.
Sina Jya: Kusa is a kind of umbrella that is used in cultivation. It is designed to cover the back of the body by resting it on the head.
Earlier, that dress was mandatory at funerals at this time. But now that culture is disappearing. That is to say, the culture of wearing clothes for farming even after the death of a person, even after not playing the instrument, confirms the basis for saying that such a culture was created to pay attention to farming.
That culture is slowly disappearing nowadays. But in the past, it was worn in search of death.
Slightly different culture in Lalitpur
Instrumental guru Maharjan says that even the people of Lalitpur do not play any instrument at this time. The situation was normal in Lalitpur but now it is time for Rato Matsyendranath's rath yatra. Sometimes it lasts till the end of June. But how long the rite of not playing the Baja lasts is decided based on Rato Matsyendranath's rath yatra. Muhurat Juren said that Rato Matsyendranath's rath yatra will not reach Bungmati even till Saun. If Matsyendranath is taken to Bungmati before Gathe Mangal, the Baja will be stopped, otherwise, there is a tradition of playing the Baja, says Chandra Maharjan, president of the Jyapu Samaj.
Rest time of Navdurga Gana in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur's longest and most famous dance Navdurga Gana is also rested till Gathe Mangal. Even though the crown of Navdurga Gana is immersed only on the day of Ashtami, the last dance of Navdurga Gana will be the dance in Ichchhutol on the day of Siddhi Nakha. It is customary to return (deactivate) the mantra (karma) inserted in the crown on the same day. There is a belief among the devotees that life is taken away from the crown of Nava Durga as soon as the mantra is returned.
It is believed that the mantra of Nava Durga is returned to Ichchhutol. But it was not possible to return the mantra. So it is customary to return the karma. Just like when we give life to an idol, it becomes God. In the same way, it is believed that karma returns after taking away that life. ' Binod Raj Sharma, a cultural expert from Bhaktapur, said. The crown of the Navdurga Gana who has returned the karma is immersed on the day of Bhalwal Ashtami. But apart from that, there is no culture.
