Far-western University (FwU)

Concept Paper on
Deuda, Phags and Sagun folk songs of Far-west: Evocation of Nature-Culture Harmony
for Resilient Lifestyle

Inroduction
There are many folk songs in different parts of Nepal, like other folk songs, Deuda, Sagun
and Phag songs are cultural folk songs, identifier of the Far-western and mid- western region
of Nepal. Deuda has been practicing in different names in different parts such as: Dhitta,
Bharat halnu (spiritual /religious), Thadi bhaka, performance songs, Chaalo, Bhaso, Putala
and Hudkeli, however, the style, lyrics and rhythms are the same. The aura of such cultural
artifacts influences on the existence of harmonious relation with nature. Deuda songs are
taken as the popular artifact in Far-western region and they also are the substantial assets of
regional culture in the context of the country. The cultural mode of literary expression has
derailed along with loss of harmonious relation of culture with nature. Multiple factors are
influencing on making and de-making of such cultural artifact. Their relations with the nature
are massively appealing to the people as people use to live in harmony with natural
surroundings. This paper focuses how the Deuda songs, like other folk songs, and their
representation contribute toward making people aware on ecological conservation by
connecting them with nature.

Statement of Problem
There is a depletion of Deuda songs which might have resulted the loss of symbiotic relation
with nature and culture. Due to various factors such as: globalization, modernization,
technology and multi-cultural situation. Scholarly articles are available dealing with eco-
critical standpoint of Phags, few of the substantial cultural type of literary expression of the
Far-western ethos. Based on my preliminary study and review of Far-western folk songs,
anybody has ventured to shed light on ecological relationship of Deuda songs. Similarly,
there might be sufficient criticisms and studies for wider readers and researchers to
understand the better picture of the Deuda songs.

Purpose Statement
The purpose statement is to explore the concord of human culture and nature in Deuda songs,
evoke a sense of preserving nature through folk literary expression and to interpret and
analyze role of nature as an integral part of a human civilizations particularly through Deuda
songs.
Research Questions
Why and how do nature and culture harmonize in cultural verbal songs Deuda? How do
Deuda songs influence people for conservation of nature? How such Deuda songs create
collective consciousness for harmonious man with nature?

Hypothesis
There might be many reasons why such cultural songs are less talked, discussed and
transmitted in the present day of modern way of life. Like other Nepali cultural folk songs,
Deuda folk songs do have the dominant features of reciprocity between culture and ecology
in Deuda songs, which are also the fundamental kind of cultural identity and value of the Far-
western people in the diverse context of Nepal.

Methodology
This research will be basically on qualitative approach. Environmentalism and cultural
criticism will be applied as the main theoretical modality. The study will be articulated
through the interaction of textual analysis, field visit observation, collection of needed folk
songs,and interview of selected folk texts of performers.

- Bhupesh Joshi PhD, Far-western University