Nepali classical music: Challenges and opportunities

Nepal recently hosted the Antarrashtriya Sangeet Mahotsav, or International Music Festival 2026, a significant event that brought together classical musicians and scholars for performances and academic discussions. Held in Kathmandu from June 13-17, the festival aimed to explore the historical significance and contemporary challenges facing classical music in the Indic region, with a particular focus on Nepal.

The festival was presented as a classical musical performance of historical importance, accompanied by serious discussions on various aspects of music. Its motto was to create a melange of music, culture, dialogue, and coexistence. The event sought to revive and foreground the rich musical traditions of Nepal, which have historically been intertwined with patronage from individuals and institutions.

Organizers highlighted the event's historical context, noting it as the first international classical music festival held in Nepal since the Bagedi festival during Bir Shumsher Rana's reign in 1899. That earlier festival featured prominent musicians from Nepal and India and lasted for a month. While King Mahendra also organized classical music programs, they reportedly lacked the continuity and scale of the Bagedi festival.

The participation of senior academics and musicians, including Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi and Beni Rawal Jangam, underscored the seriousness and academic rigor of the discussions. These scholars have been involved in extensive research on Nepali musical traditions, contributing to a deeper understanding of the genre's historicity and its present-day relevance. The festival provided a platform for these dialogues, exploring the dynamics and historicity of Nepali musical traditions.