A scene from ‘Jhimjhimaune’ which has been trending at the top of YouTube for three weeks
Kathmandu. Modern songs (suggestive music) and folk songs are considered the mainstream of Nepali music. Both of these genres have a permanent audience. It cannot be otherwise than once upon a time the modern song ruled with a single umbrella. Because this genre attracts all kinds of listeners. At one time pop songs also ruled.
Recently, the popularity of songs in Nepal is measured on the basis of YouTube views and trending. It also seems to be dominated by folk and modern folk music. If you look at the trends of the last few years, you can see that folk songs are occupying YouTube views and trending. The songs of Shantisree Pariyar, Prakash Saput, Shantirani Pariyar, Buddhikrishna Pariyar, Prakash Dutraj have received considerable views on YouTube.
If you look at the last few months, it seems that the number of people listening to new generation and genre songs is increasing. The new generation i.e. ‘Gen G’ is represented by Sajjanraj Vaidya, Sushant KC, Ekdev Limbu, John Rai, Swapn Suman. Ramakrishna Dhakal, Rajeshpayal Rai, Anju Pant, Shiv Pariyar, Pramod Kharel, Melina Rai, Asmita Adhikari, Sujan Chapagain and other artists are appearing in Sugam Sangeet.
However, if we look at YouTube as a base, it seems that the presence of popular folk songs has started to be challenged by new generation songs of different genres. The presence of modern songs has become very thin. An example of this is Ekdev Limbu’s ‘Shining Eyes’, which has been trending Nepal on YouTube’s music section for three weeks. Similarly, songs such as Sujan Chapagain and Vidya Tiwari’s ‘Eklai Bhai Ni’, Swar and John Rai’s ‘Badalsari’, Chewang’s Lama’s ‘Ekohoro Maya’, Swapn Suman’s ‘Timro Bolima’ are trending.
Many musicians say that the presence of new genres of songs is good, but it is important to pay attention to the quality. “Not only folk, but songs of any genre are being discussed about songs with vulgar words. But it seems that the songs made with sorrow have not got a good place in the Nepali market,’ says musician Ashish Aviral.
Aviral, the composer and singer of the latest hit song ‘Raiya Chandiko’, said that there has been a difference in the choice of songs and music with the new generation of viewers and listeners. ‘Now is the time of Tiktok and Reels. The audience is enjoying the beat of the song rather than the words of the song,’ he says to Online Khabar, ‘If the audience likes the song in 15 seconds, they will think the song is good, otherwise they will not be interested. While the modern song is gradually attracting the attention of the audience. That’s why the discussion of modern songs may have decreased recently.’
Aviral says that the good songs that have been given a difference by mixing foreign melodies with Nepali songs are very much liked by the audience. He says that what kind of song he likes also depends on the situation.
‘According to the time and situation, the song will be chosen by the audience. The 10-year-old song has gone viral again. Sometimes even a newly released song doesn’t play,’ he says.
He says that modern songs have been overshadowed recently due to ‘controversy’, which has also affected songs that are becoming hits. Aviral emphasized that musicians should make special efforts to take modern music forward in a new way in the future.
Singer Sunil Giri, who is preferred for easy music, especially folk-modern songs, says that looking at the recent changes in the Nepali music industry, the current generation should take it as a new ‘test’.
With the new generation, the audience’s interest in music is changing. If we continue to pay attention to the interest of the audience in a new way, modern songs can be brought back to their former place,’ he says.
‘I also request the audience not to give preference to vulgar songs in the society for a few moments of fun and hype,’ says Sunil, ‘I am happy when singers of the latest generation bring songs according to the audience’s interest.’
