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Udayapur Music Program

Udayapur, Nepal

In the summer of 2007, William Aura traveled to the remote village of Tintale in Nepal's eastern valley. He was the first western man to see how the villagers there lived from day to day. At that time the place had no electricity, no telephones, and no modern sanitation. The people of Tintale had lived and worked in almost complete isolation from the outside world for centuries. PFCF was honored to be able to make a contribution to the community, and initiated a music program in nearby Katari Bazar, Udayapur, Nepal.


Local schoolteacher and music notation instructor Dhruba Kumar Ghimire patiently teaches disadvantaged village children how to play the harmonium. Our efforts provide classroom space and brand-new music instruments for the students as well as humanitarian aid in Tintale village including medicine, school supplies, and gifts for the children. A number of dedicated students trek two hours each way to Katari to receive music education. Local PFCF supporters Ishor Bajracharya, Shyam Basnet and Sujan Karki administer this vital music program.

Photos from the Udayapur Music Program

  • Meet the students and teachers of Tintale Village, Nepal

  • PFCF Volunteers Rashmi Adhikari and Shyam Basnet interview harmonium player and music teacher Dhruba Kumar Ghimire in Tintale Village, Nepal. Village flute teacher Jeevan Magar joins in as the conversation runs deep from how a body responds to playing music to the importance of the teacher’s attitude.

  • See how the Udayapur Music Program got its start in Tintale Village

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE

$25

Madal drum

Provides a madal drum, benefiting a child and local craftsman

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$1000

Fund full programs

Funds three Nepali music programs for one month

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FEATURED STUDENT

Sarju Nepali

This is one young man that seems to excel at everything he attempts. Born in the Dalit caste, Sarju would normally not have any opportunity for a formal education. Thankfully he has been sponsored to attend classes at the Tintale Village teaching center. He is the best drummer in Jeevan’s madal drumming class, and we are all proud of his accomplishments.

NEWS

Aug 21, 2012

Making a Difference One Song at a Time

by William Aura

As he embarks on a return trip to Nepal, William Aura shares an essay on the origin of the first music program in Tintale Village:

Bordered by India and the Tibet region of China, Nepal is known for its untouched massive mountains, green terraced foothills, and thick Jungle terrain. In a few remaining rural areas the people have lived virtually isolated from the outside world for centuries…

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LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY

For countless generations this remote part of the Terai region has never had power and now all that has changed forever. The power lines placed nearly three years ago were finally switched on. They are now providing intermittent power to a portion of the village. There is only about six hours of electricity a day and you are never quite sure when it will be available. The folks here just go with the flow.

PFCF Music Administrator Shyam Basnet sets the record straight that all too many villagers simply cannot yet afford this modern miracle. For the chronic poor this extra monthly expenditure still remains out of their grasp financially. Yet nearly every village home that has powered up, immediately purchased a rice cooker. This saves the women many laborious hours in preparing the daily sustenance for their large families. One would think that a television, fan or refrigerator would come home first but without a doubt the rice cooker is on the top of every villager’s wish list.

Madal Drum

His students learn basic rhythms and traditional technique. He illustrates that by holding the Madal drum horizontally, both of its heads can be played. This typical Nepalese instrument is considered to be the backbone of Nepalese folk music.

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Nepali Flute

His students learn basic notation and traditional Nepali flute, also know as the Bansuri. It is generally believed that the Bansuri not only has a spell binding and enthralling effect on the people who hear it, but also on the animals native to...

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Harmonium

They are learning basic fingerings and how to match the notes that she sings. Only one hand is needed to play individual keys on the instrument, leaving the other free to pump air. The children of Tintale love this class!

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  • Devi Karki

    Devi is the inspirational leader of the Tintale Village Women’s Alliance. Her vision to educating at-risk Nepali women about the perils of trafficking is making real change.

  • Dhruba Kumar Ghimire

    Dhruba is a beloved middle school teacher in Katari Nepal. He plays harmonium at local Hindu ceremonies and has become an excellent music teacher.

  • Jeevan Magar

    Jeevan is a farmer in remote Tintale Village Nepal. He has been performing the Bansuri flute and Madal drum since childhood and loves to teach the village kids.