Mangalini - auspicious women singers
Listen now
Description
Mangalinis are women who sing auspicious songs for religious rituals. The tradition of women singing auspicious songs for rituals was once widespread among Nepal's Hindu communities, but is declining today. This episode is concerned with the royal Mangalinis employed by Nepal's erstwhile royal family. After the end of monarchy, the women continue to sing for Dashain rituals at Hanumandhoka. Their songs contain elements of folk traditions but were crafted to meet changing priorities of the court. The women's status as 'auspicious' stems from the Hindu reverence of women's powers of creation. The podcast discusses the royal Mangalinis, their songs, and includes an interview with ethnomusicologist Carol Tingey who researched the Mangalinis. 
More Episodes
Dafa Khalahs are traditional Newa music groups in the Kathmandu Valley. Maharjan and Manandhar families have Dafa Khalahs in every tole (locality), which sing traditional, devotional songs, either every day or during certain months. Hitherto, the tradition had been completely male. But that is...
Published 04/10/24
Published 12/31/23
The Uranws are a unique indigenous community living in South-east Nepal. The small community of just over 40 thousand Uranws is highly marginalized but their culture and language continue to flourish in their dense settlements. The Uranw language (also called Kurux or Kudukh) is Nepal's only...
Published 10/23/23