Music Journalism in Nepal concerning tradition and media

Research submitted to the Faculty of Journalism & Mass Communication, Department of Major

Arts, St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for

the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

Basics of Media Research (JMC 424)

Submitted by:

Astha Shrestha

021ba053

Symbol Number: 602820035

TU registration no.: 6- 2- 282- 133 -2020

February 12, 2024

 Letter of Recommendation

I am pleased to state that this thesis entitled “Music Journalism in Nepal concerning tradition and

media” has been successfully completed under my supervision by Astha Shrestha in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. I would like to

recommend this thesis to be examined by the external examiner.

_______________________________

Chun Bahadur Gurung, PhD candidate

Supervisor

ii
 Letter of Approval

This report entitled, “Music Journalism in Nepal concerning tradition and media” submitted to

the Faculty of Journalism, Department of Major Arts (DoMA), St. Xavier’s College by Astha

Shrestha has been approved by the undersigned members.

…………………………. ………………………… …………………………

Chun Bahadur Gurung External Examiner Shishir Kumar Bhusal

Supervisor Head of Department

Date: ……………………….

iv
 Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DEFINED VARIABLES

ABBREVIATION

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

1.2 Statement of the problem

1.3 Research questions

1.4 Research objectives

1.5 Limitations of the study

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Literature Review

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

 iv

3.1.1 Content Analysis

CHAPTER 4

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION

4.1 DISCUSSION

4.2 CONCLUSION
 v

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Music is considered an art. It figuratively and literally could fill sound in the void of people's

lives. Music may mean different to every individual depending on how they perceive life and

analyze it through the song's lyrics. So, does music create life or does life create music? In

Nepal, where thousands of people come from different yet aesthetically pleasing backgrounds,

each of them has something unique and soothing to contribute to the Nepali Music Industry.

Each religion derives from their notions and perceptions.

And through them arises distinctive music that helps one to comprehend and respect each other.

With the help of in and out-migration, Nepali music has been successful in recognizing itself

internationally. Although more credit goes to media. It has helped Nepali music to flourish

through many stages. Media is a sole medium that has connected itself directly to every aspect of

lives shaping itself in various forms. Media and Music go hand in hand. While stating this, the

media has also harmed the Nepali music industry (Subedi, 2014). This study consists of the

discourse on how Nepali music has represented its own multifaceted culture and the media's role

in it.
1.2 Statement of Problem

Everything in the industry keeps changing. Similarly, fluctuations inside the music industry are

also very common. We can never predict whether the Nepali industry may confront upheaval or

downfall. We now know that good lyrics, great video quality, and a touch of Nepali tradition is

the key to successful music (Colleges Nepal, 2023). But these days there is music that depicts the

traditional roots of Nepal inappropriately and adversely. These types of music and content are

being channeled through different media platforms. Media is consumed by people of various

ages, especially social media. Promoting that music through media and demotion of Nepali

tradition may impact people (mainly children) with a negative sense of belief. Media sometimes

has harshly affected the economy and the content of music in Nepal (Subedi, 2014). However,

there is also some artist that has eloquently represented Nepali tradition through their creative

and captivating lyrics. It all comes down to the media and how it intends to portray the Nepali

music. Therefore, this study will unravel the gap between media and music.

1.3 Research question

● Central Question: How has the media represented Nepali tradition through music?

● Sub- Question: Which media platform is music being consumed more and how it is

being presented.

1.4 Objectives

● To understand the music of Nepal and its way of highlighting Nepali tradition with the

help of media.
 ● To analyze the positive and negative impact of media’s correlation with music.

1.5 Limitations

Since this research is conducted for academic objectives, certain restrictions will necessarily

arise.

● First, because of time constraints, the study of several articles and archival reviews will

be limited.

● Issues with the paywall system may block the true essence of papers related to the

research topic.

● Furthermore, some of the research papers and journals may be prejudiced and influenced

by one’s biases and experiences.

 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Literature Review

To do a systematic literature review, many relevant works were chosen from subscription-based

and open-access resources. Using keywords associated with the study issue, the literature was

found and chosen from scholarly databases. Keywords: Music, tradition, and media. Music is

much more than something they listen to or play for fun (Paglusch, 2017). Music carries

distinctive definitions and meanings for every individual. The emotions it carries are

enlightening and enchanting. There must rarely exist people who don't indulge themselves in

listening to music every day. As every individual perceives reality differently, the same piece of

music will create different emotions based on our different perceptions of music. It drives people

mentally, physiologically, spiritually, and emotionally. Likewise, a different genre of music is

composed and presented to audiences from different geographical regions. Each genre depicts

various lyrics and through its different personalities (Neuman, Perlovsky, Cohen, Livshits, 2015).

It's the same in the case of Nepali Music as well. The genre ranges from Newar music, Tamang

Selo, Dohori, and Nepali rock music to Aadhunik Geet.

Music Journalism in Nepal has undergone some pinnacle changes over the years and has

comparatively seen its downfall. The music industry of Nepal began around 105 years from

today and evolved from limitations of listening to it by the upper-class socio-economic standard
to listeners from across multiple nations including various socio-economic standards of people.

Many scholars claim that Nepali music “tastes” have been heavily impacted by Indian music and

international media. (Subedi, 2014).

Practice of music in Nepal and the role of media

Along with several changes in the country, music has also altered its way to modernization. With

the hint of contemporary music preferences, traditional songs are produced and composed. The

mix of two different categories of music is appreciated and encouraged by people especially

younger generations.

The overall relation between music and media is highly correlative. While media is a crucial

medium to promote music, it has been lacking in completely fulfilling the purpose of

highlighting and stimulating the Nepali Music Industry. The importance of media in public

understanding of music is missing (Braz, 2014). Social media on the other hand has put life back

in the music industry. The rise of streaming services is a very popular trend in Nepali music. In

Nepal, the streaming value grew by 27.2% in 2022, according to a research study by the

International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (liquid-intelligence, 2023). “The music

industry during less than a decade has completely shifted its centre of gravity from the physical

to the virtual –from the Disk to the Cloud.1 Music is no longer something the mainstream

audience owns and collects – Music is in the Cloud” (Wikström 2009: 4).
Over the past many years, the entire music industry has significantly changed because of digital

technology. Statistics show that music industry digital revenues account for more than half

(58.9%) of the global recorded music market with a 34.0% increase in streaming revenues,

whereas physical revenues account for just around a quarter of the overall market with a decline

of 10.1% in 2018 (IFPI 2019a, 2019b) (Giri, 2021).

As discussed above, different genres of music portray Nepal and its culture differently. For

example: Lok Gilt aims to collect authentic folk songs from Nepal's alpine cultures, translate

them into Nepali, and disseminate them through various mediums such as radio, cassette,

compact disc, and television. Initially cultivated at state-sponsored institutions, Lok Gilt serves

the purpose of fostering a distinctively Nepali identity (Greene, 2002). Similarly, Newari songs

and music showcase their unique and beautiful tradition and culture through their respective

language. To practice music from different cultures and religions of Nepal, one has to dive deep

into its richness (Cambridge University Press, 2019).

To this day, the music industry in Nepal is facing changes and will continue to, depending on the

scenario it may survive in. Music journalism in Nepal evolves at different speeds and paces. We,

as a collective community, with the aid of media (in any form), should continue to support and

encourage the Nepali music industry to flourish on many different levels.

 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

The study adopted an explanatory and descriptive research approach to explore research

questions that have not been studied in depth in the context of Nepal.

Qualitative Research Approach: The data is collected through observation records and archival reviews.

Article papers and studies from professors of different Universities are reviewed and interpreted.

Data collection method

The data collection methodology for this study is Qualitative data. The study involves research

articles and journals from professors and scholars from different universities across the world. It

also contains personal opinions and surveyed data from certain time sections to comprehend

music journalism in Nepal showcasing traditions and its portrayal through media.

3.1.1 Content Analysis

Qualitative data were gathered to examine and fulfill this research. Contents from several authors

and scholars were gone through and analyzed thoroughly. Suitable contents for this research

were founded.

The findings and conclusions from respective data were further scrutinize to find out how media

has portrayed music journalism and through it promoted Nepali traditions and cultures. Several

genres of music found in Nepal were briefly gone through to get an idea of how music has
evolved with time and how it has been perceived by both media and the mass. Since, Nepal is

multi-diverse country, different music from different communities were searched and interpreted.

Multiple ethnicities in Nepal with their songs and music represents their unique traditions and

cultures which was also further researched about.

However, there are many genres of music that have been promoting obscene messages to the

people of a society especially minors. That genre of music also was looked upon. The talk about

commercialization in music industry through media has also been analyzed.

 CHAPTER 4

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION

4.1 Discussions

The influx of various music genres has significantly impacted the Nepali music industry and

traditional musical practices.

While traditional folk music remains deeply rooted, the infusion of contemporary genres such as

pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music has brought diversity and modernity to the scene. The

industry faces challenges in maintaining a balance between preserving cultural authenticity and

embracing global trends, as commercialization sometimes leads to dilution of traditional

elements.

The industry's evolution towards commercial success has sometimes led to concerns about the

potential dilution of authentic Nepali musical traditions. Despite these challenges, the fusion of

traditional and modern genres has also given rise to unique and eclectic sounds, showcasing the

adaptability and resilience of Nepal's musical landscape in the face of changing global

influences.

4.2 Conclusion
In examining how the media portrays Nepali music, it is evident that there is a delicate balance

between celebrating the country's diverse musical heritage and addressing challenges within the

industry. Positively, media often highlights the richness of traditional folk tunes and the

burgeoning contemporary music scene, showcasing talented musicians who contribute not only

to the local cultural landscape but also gain recognition internationally. However, a critical lens

reveals concerns about the impact of commercialization and the influence of global music trends

on the authenticity of Nepal's musical identity. Some media outlets express apprehension about

the potential dilution of traditional elements in favor of commercial success, raising questions

about the preservation of cultural heritage. Overall, the media's portrayal of Nepali music reflects

both appreciation for its cultural significance and a cautious awareness of the evolving dynamics

that come with globalization and commercial pressures.

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Time Table

S.N Research Phase Deadline

.

1. Area of Interest July 12, 2023

2. Reading List September 14, 2023

3. Library Clearance November 22, 2023

4. Literature Review November 10, 2023

5. Research Proposal November 20, 2023

6. Proposal Defense November 23, 2023

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