Kathmandu: Madal was one of the significant traditional musical instruments giving an original aura to songs sung during the Teej festival. The women, especially the sisters visiting their parental homes, used to sing songs reflecting their plights and experiences from the past year, resonating with the playing of the madal together. Playing the madal, a cylindrical hand drum, and singing songs about life stories were not merely recreational but a profound medium for expressing emotional states.
According to National News Agency Nepal, 61-year-old Parbati Devi Khatri from Ghodaghodi municipality-8 recalled, “Actually playing madal used to begin immediately after the completion of rice plantation in the Saun month, setting the ambiance for the forthcoming Teej festival,” adding that those days have vanished into thin air. Another 63-year-old, Toladevi Bista shared a similar sentiment, stating, “Teej was a moment to share plight for women. But, now it is becoming a tawdry business. It is no more the occasion to show relief by releasing the burden.”
Time has changed, with the madal being replaced by sound systems and modern songs, causing senior citizens to lament the bygone days. Tika Chaudhari Bhul, chief of the Kailali district coordination committee, observed that the commercial songs and tawdry melodies played during Teej celebrations are significantly affecting the original tune and aura. Songs sung during Teej were also performed during other festivities, such as marriage ceremonies, in those times.
Maiti Budhathoki, 65, reminisced, “We had to stay patient even till Teej to visit my parental home. If the relative (brother) had not come to invite, we could not go to the parental homes then,” emphasizing the emotional depth and originality in songs played in harmony with the madal and mujura. The once-popular instrument, madal, is now seldom heard during Teej celebrations.
Deputy Mayor of Ghodaghodi municipality, Guliya Kumari Chaudhary, remarked that Teej celebrations have undergone radical changes in recent years. She noted the use of gimmicky and equivocal words in modern songs, lamenting, “Those old days of Teej songs with madal playing are hardly found these days.”
Madal, one of the traditional musical instruments, is losing its market presence. Even those who make madals face challenges in sustaining their businesses. Tirtha Badi, a madal entrepreneur from Lamkichuha municipality-3, expressed, “It is very difficult to sell madal now.” He also attributes the fading originality in songs to the dwindling business of the cylindrical hand drum.
In response to these changes, Ghodaghodi municipality has made efforts to conserve ancient songs and culture by organizing folk songs and Teej celebrations. The local administration organized a competitive Teej celebration this year, aiming to contribute to preserving the Teej aura, as stated by Mayor Khadka Rawat.