Kathmandu, September 29
A music video for Jabunik Rukhwa (Jamun Tree), an Indigenous Tharu song, was released on YouTube on Saturday.
The song is traditionally performed after Hareri Puja, a significant Indigenous Tharu ritual for agricultural land, usually held in August. The celebration opens with rituals led by Gurwa shamans, as the village gathers at the chief’s home, known as the Barghar, where all the mandra drums are brought together and blessed. The first ceremonial beat, called Trasan, marks the start of a new cycle of singing and dancing and permits the mandra to be played through the year.
Historically, such jhumra songs were performed to comfort families who had lost loved ones to diseases like diarrhoea, fever and smallpox. Over time, the tradition also became a celebration of resilience and community. Since August also marks the end of an intensive planting season, jhumras give villagers a chance to gather, rest, sing, dance and reconnect after the farming season. The song is customarily performed by male dancers dressed in women’s attire, a distinctive and enduring Tharu cultural practice.
Ujjwal Sagar of Odaar Studio directed the music, while Lavkant Chaudhary of Karkha Charkha served as creative director. Lalta Chaudhary and Somati Tharu are the vocalists, with Arzoo Chaudhary, RK Tharu, Anju Chaudhary and Urmila Gamwa Tharu on backing vocals. Manzil Bikram KC handled audio engineering. The musicians include Kiran Baral on flute, Naren Moktan on guitar and ukulele, and Nandu Chaudhary on percussion.
Chabilal Kopila worked as field producer, with Lavkant Chaudhary, Dirgha Chaudhary and Newraj Chaudhary as videographers. Sushil Khanal was the colourist, and Sunil Chaudhary choreographed the video.
Watch the music video:
