Night (Nepali band)

Night
नाइट
OriginKathmandu
GenresNew-school folk, Nepali folk
Years active2006–present
MembersJason Kunwar
Sugama Gautam
Shiva Kumar Bhattarai
Sudhir Acharya
Niraj Shakya
Past membersMeena Singh (Sumnima)
Paras Mani Subedi
Birat Basnet
Websitewearenight.com

Night is a new-school folk band from Nepal.[1] The band is known for using traditional Nepali instruments in its songs. It aims to reintroduce traditional instruments of Nepal to the modern generation of Nepali-speaking audiences.[2]

Members

Current members

  • Jason Kunwar (Vocalist)
  • Niraj Shakya (Manager)
  • Shiva Kumari Khatri (Paluwa)
  • Sudhir Acharya (Percussion)
  • Sugama Gautam (Vocalist)

Formation

Jason Kunwar, Ranav Adhikari and Niraj Shakya formed Night as a metal band in 2006. But over time, their interest shifted to Nepali folk instruments and folk music, and they became a folk music band.[3]

Folk music and success

The band released singles initially, which became highly popular in Nepal. It released its first album, Ani Ukali Sangai Orali in 2014, its second album Jhalka Raya Buka in August 2017, and its third album Ramite- The Music Volume 1 in 2019. The band has established a solid fan base ranging from metalheads to the general public. Some band members have composed music for Nepali films such as Chhadke, Jhola and Suntali.

Live performances

Night performed at the Shambala Festival in August 2015 and 2019, BBC Radio 3 in April 2016, the WOMEX showcase in October 2017, and Sommarscen Malmo, Ethno Krakow in 2018.[4] They also collaborated with A.R. Rahman on occasion of International Peace Day to produce a musical tribute. Apart from Nepal, Night also performed in many other countries.[5]

Style

The music of Night is folk-based and echoes the pains of the economically marginalized sections of society.[6] The band members visit various parts of Nepal and collect folk tunes and instruments. Night aims to promote rare traditional musical instruments through its short documentary series Know Your Instruments on its YouTube channel and live concerts.[7] Some of the Nepali musical instruments used by Night are Sarangi, Piwnacha, Nagara (drums), Dhimay (drums), Paluwa (leaf), Tungna and Flute.[8][9]

Discography

Ani Ukali Sangai Orali

Release date: 27 December 2014

No.TitleLength
1."Ani Ukali Sangai Orali"04:25
2."Suskera haru"03:50
3."Kathor"04:43
4."Suseli"04:26
5."Basai bagayo"05:45
6."Tuina ko chha hai bhara"04:36
7."Bhaktapur"03:31
8."Sunko Jutta"01:47
9."Jharani I"03:21
10."Jharani II"04:31

Jhalka Raya Buka

Release date: 26 August 2017

No.TitleLength
1."Dada Kada Bhag 1"04:08
2."Gaine Geet"05:26
3."Jhalka Raya Buka"06:30
4."Basai Bagayo 2"01:54
5."Chokra Geet"03:54
6."Kalo Dhunga"07:46
7."Putaliko Bhesha Barilai"06:54
8."Lakurim Chhaya"04:56
9."Dada Kada Bhag 2"03:46

Ramite - The Music, Volume 1

Release date: 13 April 2019

No.TitleLength
1."Am I Not?"05:25
2."Singing through the Woods"03:46
3."From Afar"09:09
4."Whistle like a Flute, Maina"04:07
5."Starving Time (The Ritual)"05:11
6."We Only Live Once"03:02
7."Your Melancholy, My Love"03:40
8."The Lost Dream"3:53
9."Flower on the Grave"05:49

References

  1. ^ "Colours of the Night". Nepali Times. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  2. ^ "Night: Reflections on Debut Album". Dreams Magazine. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  3. ^ "How Night made its journey from metal to folk music". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  4. ^ Mahat, Sunny. "Capturing subaltern tunes and lost melodies". The Annapurna Express. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  5. ^ "The Story Behind the Night". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  6. ^ "समाजको आवाज". eKantipur. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  7. ^ "धुनमा गाउँ खाने कथा". Nepal Khabar. Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  8. ^ "Nepal's musicians retune to tradition". AFP. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  9. ^ "NIGHT IN ALPIOGLLHO'TS". The Himalayan Times- TGIF. Retrieved 2017-09-15.