5 Years of Fantastic Folk

Kutumba revives folk music and makes it look very cool while at it

by PRAVAT J GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 162 (June 2009) | IN THIS ISSUE
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For Nepali music enthusiasts, Kutumba is not a new name. The folk ensemble's passion for music and revival of old folk tunes resonates to the audience as soon as one hears their music. Since the formation of Kutumba, five years back, Rubin Kumar Shrestha, Pavit Maharjan, Raju Maharjan, Arun Manandhar, Kiran Nepali and Sidharth Maharjan have successfully been able to evoke memories of the days gone by through their music. These young lads aren't just creating name, fame and money for themselves but are also reviving folk music which is slowly being forgotten. And they are  having a lot of fun as they do so.

Picking it from a tune and then choosing different instruments, keeping in mind the diversity to go with the tune and timing it, creates the sound we now distinctly recognise as Kutumba's. "We do our best every time we're on stage and we do it because it is our passion," says Pavit. Raju adds, "We usually have a list of music to play for a gig but we end up changing our list on the spot because we want to play music that our audience will enjoy."

All the band members were very young when they first came together and now they have been together for five years and released four albums. In the past years, there have been ups and downs with band members Rashil Palanchoki and Binay Maharjan leaving. However, even though they aren't a part of the band any more their contribution in creating the name Kutumba is today is unforgettable.

Although the members have changed with time, the genre Kutumba caters to has not and this is something all the youngsters look up to. "Every time we play, the youth really enjoy it and they even thank us, sometimes for keeping Nepali folk music alive and for playing it to them," says Rubin.

At the beginning, they started off with very few instruments and no knowledge of how to play the ones they had discovered. It was through their will power and their determination to move ahead that lead them to where they are today. "We are not seeking to be celebrities but we do want to be more established as a group," Arun says.

But we say they have or at least the sales of their fourth album titled Mithila which has already sold 1000 copies in the matter of two weeks does. The long awaited album is very different from their former albums. While the previous ones brought to mind the alleys of Kathamandu perfumed with the smell of aila, Mithila's tunes brings to you the heat of Janakpur laden with the sweet smell of warm jayris and incense. But there is no resting for the group of six, as they are working on releasing another album within this year. The audience can expect something very different from Kutumba this time. "Actually Mithila happened very suddenly. We hadn't planned for it. Instead our upcoming album was supposed to be our fourth one," reveales Pavit. This soon to be yet 'untitled' album took them two and half years to complete it. With complete confidence in themselves and in their music, Kutumba has a bright future ahead and there is no looking back!

Kutumba Moments

1. Still makes mistakes in gigs but comfortably covers it up now. Was nerve-racking before.
2. Was scared when they went to India as they didn't know if the people would enjoy their music but were overwhelmed with the response from the crowd once they started playing.
3. Went to Bangladesh to play only one gig. But ended up playing five gigs with only a day for themselves to enjoy.
4. They were excited to play inside the Janaki Mandir in Janakpur. Kutumba is the only commercial band who was allowed to play inside the temple.
5. An event organiser almost cheated them and didn't pay. The group heavily condemns organisers cheating artists.