The Santhals. Jhapa, 2018. (Photo: Dr. Lochan Rijal)

Ever since its establishment in 1996, the Kathmandu University Department of Music’s continued focus has been on the conservation of Nepalese intangible musical heritage through documentation, processing, analysis, education and application of local music traditions. As part of its aim of incorporating more music of different ethnic groups of Nepal, the Department of Music is now planning to establish a music outreach in the eastern Nepal.

The plan for this outreach center is to make it a hub and create job opportunity for the local musicians from eastern region as well as an academic/research center for the musicians and musician scholars from Nepal and around the world.

Considering the importance of such a center and its potential as a hub for the preservation and transformation of the musical heritage, Mr. Badri Prasad Upreti, a native from Haldibari, Jhapa has supported  Department of Music and its vision by donating the land for building such an outreach center. Haldibari and its neighboring area is known for the musical heritage of Santhal, Gandharva, Damai, Rai, Tharu, Limbu, Rajbanshi, Meche, Bahun, Chettri, Tamang, Bahun, Chettri, Kami and many more.