Melba Devi Mahotsav

— Monisha Pradhan

The Melba Devi Mahotsav is the first of a series of musical initiatives that will emphasize the importance of the archival and documentation of the musical heritage of Nepal. With this motive The embassy of India and the BP Koirala Foundation in association with Kalakuti a nonprofit organization took initiative to introduce one of the pioneers of Nepalese musical industry, Melba Devi Gurung, Nepal’s first female recording artist.

Melba Devi born in the village in the remote part of eastern Nepal was admitted to Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher’s court as a trainee singer at the young age of five. She retired from court- singing at the age of 21 as she got married to a tabla player and moved to Kolkata. In 1928, she recorded her famous song ‘Sawari Mero Relaima’ which made her first Nepalses woman to record a song that set path for aspiring Nepalese female singers. She was a renowned singer, composer, lyricist and playwright. We lost such a great artist at the age of 55 in an accident.

To pay tribute to the singer’s life and times Kalakuti organized the two days program at the Army Officer’s Club on 11th and 12th of April 2011.The Mahotsav was inaugurated by His Excellency the Indian Ambassador to Nepal- Rakesh Sood. The first day program began with screening of 5- minute documentary about Melba Devi’s contribution to the Nepalese music industry. Gramophone era was revived when the first record of Melba Devi was played on an antique gramophone on stage. This program was continued by a lecture and performance by Vidya Shah, renowned Delhi based classical singer, composer, writer and music scholar titled ‘Women on Record’. Then there was a performance by Nepali and Indian artists. DAFA Band opened the evening’s performances with ‘Raag Kedar’ which was dedicated to Melba Devi. This is a classical music band that was established in 2000 A.D. with the motivation to promote a classical music. The group consist Rabin Lal Shrestha, Prabhu Raj Dhakal and Suresh Raj Bajracharya. Then, Hari Maharjan Duo- Hari Maharjan and Sujan Lama covered Melba’s song ‘Auna Basha Piyari’ in Gypsy Jaaz style. Without losing the true essence of the song they blended well the melody of the old era and the jazz.

The second day took place at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan and featured a series of panel discussions on women burn victims- Melba Devi was also the victim of the tragic burn. Senior journalist Kanak Mani Dixit and Dr. KD Joshi of Bir Hospital conducted the discussions.The discussion was continued by legendary Nepalese classical singers Jagat Mardan Thapa, Prabhu Raj Dhakal, Situ Kharel and sound engineers Pradeep Upadhyaya and Sunit Ratna Kansakar on Melba Devi’s life, music, times and her contemporaries, change of playback technology.

The Mahotsav concluded with a certificate of appreciation given to all the panelists by senior musician Dambar Ghandarva and a performance to pay tribute to Melba Devi sarangi player Barta Gandharva, her niece Laxmi Gandharva and her father Dambar Gandharva from Bhojpur  along with Binod Gaunle and floutist Umesh Pandit played on ‘Thapa Ra Thali’.

This event was a great example that showed there are many such artists who have contributed to the Nepalese musical industry and are not yet recognized.