Nepal’s New Song | Feature

Remember the not-so-old days of school, when you had to stand at rigid attention during assembly, feet together, arms straight at the sides, head up and then sing at the top of your voice, Shreeman Gambhir Nepali Prachanda Pratapi Bhupati?

Well, contrary to what Led Zeppelin said, the song doesn't remain the same. The stance is the same, the students have the same slack eyed look that shows how little interest they have, but this time, the song is different. Instead of the usual line extolling the king and all his heavenly powers, there is a verse dedicated to the people. This verse offers humble praise to Nepal and the unity in diversity that we are so proud of.

Sayaun Thunga Phul is the new national anthem written by Byakul Maila and composed by Ambar Gurung. Unlike the old anthem penned by Chakrapani Chalise and composed by Bhakta Bahadur Budhapirthi in1899, the new song is full of life, a rousing tribute to all that is Nepali. The song was selected from among 1,272 entries amid some controversy. Many claimed that it was too simple and that many other noted littérateurs had contributed to the selection process. But The National Anthem Selection Task Team stood by its decision to select a poem written by a virtually unknown poet. They claimed that the song represented all of Nepal, be it the scenic beauty of our country, the resources we have in abundance, or the hundreds of castes, cultures, faiths and religions. The fact that it was written by a Rai from Okhaldhunga only added to the song's nepalipan.

Maila, whose real name is Pradeep Kumar Rai, comes from Hilepani in Okhaldhunga and was a staunch supporter of the April Uprising. He is a poet, having written dozens of songs, poems and haikus. "I wanted the song to be as simple as possible," says Maila, "so that everyone, all over Nepal will be able to sing it." The song is an excerpt from a longer work of his.

Ambar Gurung who is known for his exuberant talent, has given his signature touch to the song. His melody is simple yet effective, and translates Maila's words perfectly into music. Previously, the national anthem was very military, often sung along to a drum. The new song, with its lilting cadence, is very easy to hum. Ambar Gurung's music is alive, the melody stimulating and invigorating.

A few weeks back in Ghandruk, as a local primary school's rendition of the song filled the air, I was struck by how beautiful the song sounded, and how it managed to evoke in me feelings of patriotism that the old song never had. Maybe traces of Jana Andolan II still linger on me but I felt like a complete Nepali that day. In schools around the Valley too, the song rebounds off high walls and resounds through empty classrooms as students line up for morning assembly. Even in buses and tempos, the song bursts from mobile phones and mp3 players. The only conspicuous lack is on Nepal television. I have strong memories of watching Nepal TV come on to the picture of our flag waving in the wind while the Shreeman Gambhir played in the background. I wish I could see that sight again, the red triangles and the white sun and moon, fluttering as Sayaun Thunga Phul played on.

"It is not just my song," says Maila. "This song belongs to every Nepali." The new song marks the coming of age of Nepal, of Nepal coming out of the shadow of feudalism and embracing a new age, where Nepal is made of Nepalis, not one king and certainly not one dynasty.

For full lyrics and chords, see our songbook.