Newari Traditional Music

Newar Music is a traditional music developed in Nepal by the Newars. It mainly consists of percussion instruments, some wind instruments and no string instruments.

Instruments
The instruments can be categorized as

1.Membranophones: Dhimay, Pachhima, Khin, Kwonchakhin, Damakhin, Dhaa, Nayekhin,Dholak, Nagara, Kal dab dab
2.Chordophones: Piwancha
3.Aerophones: Bansuri, Baye, Mwaali, Ponga, Kaahan
4.Idiophones: Taa, Babhu, Chhusyaa, Kaynpin, Bhusyaa
Traditional music
The traditional Newar music have been arranged into a particular schedule. One of the dominant forms of traditional Newar music is 'Dapha'. Dapha music is a classical newar music that probably originated during late 'Lichhavi Period' and flourished in the 'Malla period'. Basically, the songs of Dapha music are devotional songs based on classical ragas. Dapha music is played by bands known as 'Dapha Khalah' that may be associated with a traditional groups called 'guthi'. According to the ragas certain songs are played at certain season or time of day. The songs generally narrate or depict the mood of the particular season.

Season Festival
Song

Grishma (Summer)
Sithinakha to Gathāmuga Chare
Sinjyā

Warshā (Monsoon)
Gathāmuga Chare to Yanlā Punhi
Tukājyā

Sharad

Silu mye

Hemant
Dashian (Mohanee)
Mālshree

Shishir

Holi mye

Basanta
Shree panchami(Basanta panchami) to Buddha Jayantee



Besides these, there are certain pieces played at particular time of day.


Rāg Time of day

Kola
Midnight to 1 am

Namāmi
1 am to 2 am

Mālawā
2 am to 3 am

Bihan chuli
3 am to 5 am

Bhakta
5 am to 7 am

Jayashree
7 am to 9 am

Māluwā
9 am to Noon

Bibhaash
Noon to 1 pm

Āsāwari
1 pm to 2 pm

Padmajati
2 pm to 3 pm

Deshā
3 pm to 4 pm

Kausi
4 pm to 6 pm

Kedār
6 pm to 7 pm

Wijaya
7 pm to 10 pm

Wimāsa
10 pm to 11 pm

Nāya
11 pm to Midnight