The stories hidden in a song: Nepali folk music tradition explored

Dr. Anna Marie Stirr, an associate professor of Asian Studies at the University of Hawaii, has dedicated years to the study and performance of Dohori, a traditional Nepali folk music genre. Her research has culminated in published works, including 'Singing Across Divides' and 'Music and Dances From Central Nepal: The Works of Subi Shah'. Stirr's journey into Nepali music began over two decades ago when she first heard Dohori on a bus in Kathmandu.

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There are very few symphony orchestras, and each one only has two or three flute players, so there aren’t many jobs.

Initially trained in Western classical music, Stirr found its scope limiting for a performer. Her move to Nepal and exposure to the local music scene, particularly the sound of bamboo flutes, led her to explore classical Nepali music and folk tunes. The internet was not yet prevalent, so she absorbed music through daily life – shops, buses, and radio. This immersive experience, especially hearing Dohori on a bus, eventually formed the basis of her doctoral research.

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I think the first time I heard Dohori was on a bus, which later became my PhD topic.

Stirr's academic work delves into the intricate relationship between Dohori and various aspects of Nepali society. She highlights its historical role in facilitating marriages, even appearing in Tamang clan founding myths. The improvisational, conversational singing between male and female performers could historically lead to a marital obligation. This tradition underscores the deep social connections embedded within the music, where singing Dohori could signify a potential union. The article notes that young men and women meet to sing, hinting at the social and romantic dimensions of this art form.

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Dohori has a very old history of people getting married through it; this idea even appears in Tamang clan founding myths, even if they don’t call it ‘Dohori’.