Folk Lok

Dāphā Calling 2020 Season I

The first Dāphā Calling is a four-part panel discussion series that revolved around the knowledge within traditional music groups from the Newa community called Dāphā Khalah in Nepal Bhasa.

Folk Lok

2022-11-22
Design: Anusha Thapa

The first Dāphā Calling is a four-part panel discussion series that revolved around the knowledge within traditional music groups from the Newa community called Dāphā Khalah in Nepal Bhasa. The discussion revolved around ideas of sustainability and tried to answer questions like what the preservation of indigenous knowledge and practices could look like, how traditional music groups are functioning in the present context, how the intangible knowledge within the group is being passed down, and the challenges they face. 

In its third year, Dāphā Calling Season III continues its attempt to revitalize the musical heritage. The event consists of panel discussions, kha pyakha and dāphā khalah performances, and a seminar on December 9 and 10 at Bhandarkhal Chowk in Patan Museum. You can register to observe the program HERE.

Episode I: Speak about Dāphā Khalah
A conversation on Dāphā rituals and pedagogy and the possibilities of adopting new approaches to them within Dāphā Khalahs

Details: November 19, 2020 | 10 AM to 11 AM | Language: English

Held on November 20, 2020, panel one of Dāphā Calling: Revitalizing our music heritage welcomed three panelists, Prof. Richard Widdess, Dr. Shubash Prajapati, and Dr. Victoria Dalzell. Pushpa Palanchoke moderated the session which focused on the Dāphā teaching-learning system, its challenges, and the possibilities of adopting new pedagogical and practical approaches within Dāphā Khalah. It highlighted how intergenerational knowledge is transferred within traditional musical groups and how such groups are adapting to new apprenticeship and pedagogy models.

Episode II: Expanding the Dāphā Khalah
A conversation on the various challenges and prospects of making Dāphā Khalahs more inclusive.

Details: November 20, 2020 | 2 PM to 4 PM | Language: Nepali

Held on November 20, 2020, this panel was a part of Dāphā Calling: Revitalizing our Music Heritage. The panel features three panelists - Indira Lachchimasyu, Deepa Maharjan, and Prem Gurung - and was moderated by Abhay Shrestha. The session focused on inclusivity within Dāphā's practice and how such processes are forming shape in today's society. Indira Lachchimasyu and Deepa Maharjan highlighted their journey and explained how women within this tradition faced several challenges and setbacks when they first started out. At the same time, Prem Gurung conversed about his fascination with Newar music and about how his caste was never a barrier for him to learn or teach Newar music.

Episode III: Dāphā on Stage
A conversation around integrating the Dāphā tradition into Nepal’s music and creative industries.

Details: November 21, 2020 | 2 PM to 4 PM | Language: Nepal Bhasa

Held on November 21, 2020, this panel was a part of Dāphā Calling: Revitalizing our Music Heritage. The panel features three panelists - Bipu Shrestha, Parvathy Baul, and Rizu Tuladhar and was moderated by Mannu Shahi and Rabindra Maharjan. The session focused on integrating the Dāphā tradition into Nepal’s music and creative industries. While Parvathy Baul shared her success story regarding taking a sister tradition of Dāphā, Baul tradition from Bengal to global stages, Bipu and Rizu presented their share of challenges in going so in the context of Nepal.

Episode IV: Locale in Focus: Tahnani Dāphā Khalah
A conversation about Tahnani Dāphā Khalah and their attempts at revitalizing their tradition by building stronger connections to local businesses and other community organizations.

Details: November 21, 2020 | 5 PM to 7 PM | Language: Nepal Bhasa

In this session, co-organizer Tahnani Dāphā Khalah invited various stakeholders from Kipu. The session focused on Tahnani Dāphā Khalah and their current projects and aspirations. It explored how a Dāphā Khalah might work with local businesses, local governments, and other local groups to improve economic opportunities and establish cultural identities for a community.  The session was joined by Anuj Pradhan, Aman Maharjan, Anuj Pradhan, Sachindra Maharjan, Dilip Maharjan, and Ganga Hayanju. Rabindra Maharjan was the moderator for the session.


This series is presented by the U.S. Embassy’s Book Bus and is jointly organized by the Tahnani Dāphā Khalah, Kipu, Satori Center for the Arts, and Quixote’s Cove.

Folk Lok is a community-based art program managed by Satori Center for the Arts.

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