NEWS

Nov
21

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

Sushmita

by William Aura

Sarangi student Sushmita is progressing quite well according to teacher Kiran Nepali. The country’s most beloved instrument is quite difficult to master. It takes an extraordinary effort on the part of the student to maintain their discipline. Sushmita is deeply dedicated to keeping the exotic sound of the Sarangi alive.

Nov
21

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

PFCF representative Van Vo and friends visit Mitrata

by William Aura

Representing PFCF, Los Angeles resident Van Vo and friends visited Mitrata Nepal this past summer. You could have heard a pin drop as he gave a thought provoking and inspirational pep talk to nearly 100 children residing in the orphanage.

Mar
30

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

Sarangi

by William Aura

The Sarangi is a folk Nepalese string instrument. Unlike Classical Indian Sarangi, it has four strings and all of them are played. Although originally used for voice accompaniments, the Sarangi gained a reputation as a wonderful solo instrument. The technique used is to play the main strings with the tops of the fingernails of the left hand. It is bowed with a heavy bow. The instrument is made of a block of tun wood, with a goatskin stretched over the body. When played by a master, the Sarangi is capable of closely imitating the nuances of the human voice.

Mar
30

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

Bansuri

by William Aura

The Bansuri is an ancient musical instrument associated with cowherds and the pastoral tradition. The word Bansuri is actually the conjunction of two words – ‘Baans’ means bamboo and ‘Sur’ means musical note. It is one of the oldest musical instruments of Nepal. Intimately linked to the love story of Krishna and Radha, the Bansuri is mentioned in the Vedas and depicted in Buddhist art over 2000 years ago. Mythological accounts tell of the tunes of Krishna’s flute having a spellbinding and enthralling effect not only on the locals, but even on the animals of the region.

May
27

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

PFCF Embarks on Journey to Nepal

by Shauna Murray

PFCF Asian Program Coordinator, William Aura, has set out on his annual journey to Nepal. Over the eight weeks of his travels, he will be visiting and working with the Mitrata Nepal Music Program in Kathmandu, the Hari Kul Music School in Lalitpur, and the Tintale Village Teaching Center. The dedicated students and teachers of these programs have made great strides since the last PFCF visit, and we are eager to see their progress continue.

Jun
24

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

State of Nirvana Part 1

by William Aura

Nameste to you my dear friends. I have arrived in Kathmandu safe and sound. What a great joy it is to be back in this amazing country as a representative for the Playing for Change Foundation and the Aura Imports Sponsorship Project. There is important work to do and it will be my pleasure to update you as this collective effort unfolds.

Jun
24

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

State of Nirvana Part 2

by William Aura

Our first assignment is most pleasurable. All the gear is packed and loaded. The expanding entourage is off to visit Nanda Kulu and her marvelous kids at Mitrata Nepal. Mitrata has quickly become our most proficient music program in Nepal. The teachers and staff our extraordinary compassionate beings. They lovingly take care and protect over 100 orphaned and abandoned children. I’ve grown quite fond of the place. Just can’t seem to get enough of the vibes here. The children are an absolute delight and I am becoming close with a number of them. The desire displayed to learn music is frankly unmatched by anything I have ever seen. I’m uncertain who benefits more from our developing relationship - them or us. We are blessed by such a connection.

Jun
24

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

State of Nirvana Part 3

by William Aura

Oh boy. Here it goes. It’s Sunday morning and a contentious strike, locally known as a bandh, is called throughout Nepal. Everything shuts down. No taxi, no cyber café, no going anywhere. After the Maoist 10-year ‘People’s War’ to dethrone King Gyanendra ended, we all thought these depilating demonstrations were a thing of the past. Now Nepal’s Maoist party, back in power this year, has begun to reap the turmoil they sowed with other protesting groups calling general strikes one after another. For example, Nepal’s elite warrior community known as the Chhetris, have ruled the country in the past. And today they brought life in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur to a grinding halt demanding they be recognized as an indigenous community in the new constitution.

Jul
22

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

The Facebook Revolution is Here PART 2

by William Aura

Arriving at the Mitrata building we see that my fine assistants Shyam and Sujan all ready there sipping tea in a shop across the street. Shyam somehow cleverly managed to make his way with his bike, but Sujan could not. He walked. I could not believe that because he lives all the way on the other side of Kathmandu. He must have walked for nearly ninety minutes - that’s dedication folks.

Jul
24

Mitrata Nepal Music Program

The Facebook Revolution is Here PART 3

by William Aura

Our gear is packed and heading outside the courtyard we see there is not a taxi in sight. Shyam thankfully has a bike so I can hop on the back of his Indian hog and haul the equipment. Sujan and Ishor will have to walk and seemed to be ok about that. They didn’t complain in front of me at least. Later we all gather again at the guesthouse for some food and relaxed conversation. That’s when Shyam’s face turns white as he receives a text from a friend who is in the Nepalese Army. He immediately writes Shyam that they have been put on high alert and tells him to be very careful today. The country may be heading towards a declared state of emergency. There is even talk of sending all foreigners home. Frankly this is just too much for me to accept at the time. We have purchased all this gear for Devi group and construction of our school desks for the village is underway. There is a lot riding on our efforts and we will not be dissuaded easily.