when talking about the Nepali film music and song, it is true that Nepal has borrowed from its neighbor, the tradition of playback singing and music. What is not true is that it has copied the trend all in all. Nepali film music is unique on its own; the use of traditional and folk music have created a history in the entire music industry of Nepal. Because of Nepali film music, many composers, lyricists and singers have earned huge reputation. Many musical scores of Nepali films have been called evergreen by the critics and regular listeners. To have had the opportunity of listening to hundreds of Nepali film music, I am proud to say that we have such a rich musical talent and tradition. The old Nepali movie songs are soothing, well sang and a mixture of the folk and the sentimental. Some of the favorite musical scores of all times are from old movies, including Maitighar, Paralko Aago, Jeevan Rekha, Sindur, in which famous singers, like Lata Mangeshkar, Narayan Gopal, Asha Bhosle, C.P. Lohani, Shiva Shanker Manandhar, etc. have given their voice. Similarly, music composers, like Amber Gurung, Gopal Yonjan, Nati Kaji have lent their compositions, for the songs of these movies. The next generation of movies has, equally soothing songs with singers Udit Narayan Jha, Narayan Gopal and Asha Bhosle, ruling the silver screen voices.
Nepali music is gaining a lot of popularity all around the world. Our unique instruments and music is loved by all. It is part of our culture, our life, a part of our existence. It is also a part of our Nepali movies. Music has always been one of the strongest points in the success rate of any movie. Like a part of our life, it is also a huge part of our Nepali movies.
Songs have been there in Nepali movies since the very beginning of it. As we well know that Maitighar- the first ever movie to be produced in Nepal, had many musicians and singers who worked in it. The title track of the movie Maitighar is still very popular today. Songs keep the movies alive. They are the soul of the movies and thus, a very important part of it.
The very first singers and musicians involved in the Nepali films were Aruna Lama, Narayan Gopal, C.P Lohani and Prem Dhoj Pradhan. Songs from the movies like Darpan Chaayan, Maitighar, Lahure, etc are still a classic. They are still as famous as they were when the film released. Today, the songs have changed for sure. The technical issues and the wording in a song may have differed but the importance of song in a Nepali movie is the same.
With time, the music style has also changed. The music genre has come a long way. They are technically improved and have a lot of variation in itself. The songs in the movies depend not only on the time but also on the type of the movie. The music of the movies in the earlier days was totally different than that of now. This is because of the changes that the generation has gone through. Other than that it is also because of the many influences that the western culture has made on our society. With the western culture exposed to us, we are familiar with many instruments that were hidden from us in the earlier days. Similarly, the change in equipments and technology also has a lot of effect on the change in songs.
The difference in songs is also because of the difference in the movies. With each movie type the songs also vary. Like for an instance, if the movie is based on the rural life of Nepal, obviously the music is going to be more folk. Then, if the movie has a story based on the urban lifestyle, obviously the music is going t be a little western. Thus, the difference in songs and music in different movies is natural and essential.
Songs in the movies have the same importance as the chorus had in theater. They cut the monotony of the movie and refresh the audience with music. They cut out the boredom that comes with watching people talk about something continuously. Thus, songs and music is a very important part of the Nepali movies. They also create opportunities for the young and fresh talents. More music means more fun and thus, with music, movies become fun. Our film fraternity has seen a lot of such talents. Some of these talents include Shambhujit Baskota, Udit Narayan Jha, Tara Thapa, Satya Acharya, Swarup Acharya etc.
The Nepali film songs add life to the movies, no matter how bad the story or the script is. Songs are still the soul of movies, and many movies get famous because of the nice songs they have. Thus songs are a very important part of our Nepali film Industry.
It is evident from the list of singers that famous Indian play back singer, Bhosle sang for Nepali movies for a long time. It is also good to mention that Udit Narayan went on to become the voice for many Indian actors, as well. The music composer of this era is Ranjeet Gajmer and Sambhujit Baskota. Today, Anju Pant and Dipak Limbu have become the voice for the songs of Nepali movies and Mahesh Khadka is the music composer who is selling well.
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