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| Username | Post |
| sirishb | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 11:37 AM
Panche Baja was inaugurated for permanent display in NYC Metropolitan Museum. A non-profit Nepali Organization, Friends of Nepal - New Jersey co-hosted the event along with the museum. Go to the link www.fonnj.org for pictures and more information. **************************** Panche Baja Comes to America Nepalese community in America had an exciting day on June 17, 2003 as the community inaugurates a permanent display of the Panche Baja at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. As modern times have brought important changes in the musical traditions of Nepal and as the ben baja dominates Kathmandus culture the Panche Baja finally arrived in. Now people from around the world will have an opportunity to learn about the significance of our traditional musical instruments. A total of nine instruments will be permanently displayed in the Frederick P. Rose collection gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Krishna Man Manandhar who had collected them in Salyan, Rapti District, Nepal, donated these instruments in 1986. They date back to the 19th century. The instruments include, Sahanai, Damaha, Tyamko, Dholaki , Jhyali , Narsinga, Karnal and two other instruments that were made in the 20th century, Dholaki and Tyamko. During this special inaugural ceremony the Hon. Murari Raj Shrma, Nepalese Ambassador to the United Nations, former U.S. Ambassador Leon Weil, writer Roger Lispy, UN representatives as well as members of the Nepalese community from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Boston were present at the this special event. Monk Krishna Man opened the ceremony with a special Buddhist prayer and thanked participants for attending this special event. The soft-spoken monk with tears in his eyes spoke of how he managed to collect these instruments and brought them to America. Ambassador Sharma spoke about the significance of the Panche Baja and how excited he was to have the opportunity to participate in this special event. Former U.S. Ambassador Hon. Leon Weil elaborated that each country has its own history and culture, I am very happy to have the Nepalese culture resented at the Museum. Ambassador Weil has been lobbing for a long time to have this display at the museum. J. Kenneth Moore, Frederick P. Rose Curator in Charge of the Department of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art mentioned that the Museum prides itself on representing musical cultures of the world and it is a great pleasure that the panche baja ensemble representing Nepal is now incorporated into our display. Monk Krishna Man Manandhars vision to acquire these instruments and make them available for exhibition enhances our understanding of the traditional use of music and instruments in Nepalese culture. He further mentioned that the Museum is indebted to the monk for his perseverance in the field and his guidance in the Museums presentation. According to Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan, President of the Friends of Nepal, New Jersey, it is a very significant day for our Nepalese community in America to be able to have the permanent display of these musical instruments. Our organizations goal is to promote and preserve Nepalese cultural heritage and this event is a perfect example of helping to preserve our cultural heritage in America as modern ben baja increasingly dominates the old traditional Panche baja. This special event was sponsored by the Friends of Nepal - New Jersey, a non-profit organization. The mission of FON-NJ is to increase awareness and understanding of the social and cultural heritage of Nepal, promote networking opportunities for those who are interested in Nepal and its culture and help underprevilaged people in Nepal. |
| Poonte | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 12:03 PM
It is, indeed, extremely delightful to know that a part of Nepali culture is now on a permanent display at an institution as prestigious as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I just wish more publicity had been made about the event so that more Nepalis, and non-Nepalis alike, from the area would know about the display. Is the display at the South Asia section or the musical history section? I am also curious to know if they play the sounds of Panche Baja in the back ground. I will make it a point to visit the site soon. |
| Bhunte | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 06:14 PM
i never saw a marriage with panche baja while in ktm, but it will definitely remind to anyone of his or her days outside of ktm valley....yeha hamro sajhites maddhe kohi kohi bekti haru ghoda chadhera kalo chasma lagai, soot-boot/daura-surwal ani mala lagai, baje haru kapal khauri, ani doli ma rata sari chola lagayeki dulahi lai PANCH BAJA bajayera lyayeko puran din ahile pani samjhadai hunu hunchha hola... |
| KaLaNkIsThAn | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 10:01 PM
Like KHUKURI in Cyborg movie? |
| ebony_firefly | Posted
on 22-Jun-03 03:35 AM
it is definately a step in the right direction. this season ,i had the luck of witnessing a marriage ceremony in ktm that entertained panchey baja group instead of cacaphonious colonial ben baja. it's high time that we nepalese gave respect to our culture and heritage. blac_ |
| thapaktm | Posted
on 23-Jun-03 12:23 PM
I heard about the event but could not attend the inauguration program. Was able to see some pictures on the web (www.fonnj.org). FONNJ is doing great job. Keep it up. |
| Bhunte | Posted
on 05-Jul-03 01:27 AM
kasto rahar lagdo baja.... 
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