Gurung sound recordings in 1969 by Alan Macfarlane: Recent Episodes
Cambridge University
Tape recordings made during fieldwork in the Himalayas, in the village of Thak, north of Pokhara in Nepal, during 1969, by Alan Macfarlane
Mixed Gurung and Nepali song A group including Bopal and friends singing a Gurung song which goes as “Que thuba karuwa, dharima ladho nirimaya…” This song has the mixture of both the Gurung and Nepalese language. In our house at Dessain 18.10.1969 Bopal (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_45
Gurung song This song is sung by Comal, who is talking about Alan (Ramu), who has come from England to learn Gurung language. The whole song is written below with the explanation. ‘Nyo thonele khamu, Nyo thonele khamu Nye fakarna akhai mhu oh Ramu Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, we can go and meet, and we haven’t come without reason Ramu. We came here to teach you Gurung language.
‘Chow belaye bakhar, chow belaye bakhar Nyo-ye Ramu fakarna rish aakhad Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, at around this time, our Ramu don’t get angry without any reason. We came here to teach you Gurung language.
‘Nyo kamija khiba, Nyo kamija khiba Khiji nga lai talija kho bhiba Khiji whila-wa tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, we wear shirt and why did you call me, did you call me to teach you Gurung language.
‘Fultin kha sidha ladhu, fultin kha sidha ladhau, Nye khuwye arrha, Nga lai dhi mahaf ladhau Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, make the fountain pen’s lid straight and I don’t know song very well so forgive me for that. We came here to teach you Gurung language.
‘Nyo fakarna mha-ji, nyo fakarna mha-ji England ley tamu-ghi lobara khaji Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, we were just lost for nothing and from England he came here to learn Gurung. We came here to teach you Gurung language.
‘Jhula bheki sari, jhula bheki sari Rhemey muyumeh chur khamu ngesari Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobari’
The above lines say that, women and men come here in the evening and we came here to teach you Gurung language.
‘Chaba-sey nyo ji chaba, chaba-sey nyo ji chaba Nyo jammana talija chur khaba Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, we eat food and why do we all come here? We came here to teach you Gurung language.
‘Ta chamu khuw whamu, ta chamu khuw whamu Nge kwayumi chagana nuwhamu Whaley gobara, Nye khai mhu rho tamu-ghi lobara’
The above lines say that, eats curry and throws away the soup but my grand-daughter can eat all that. We came here to teach you Gurung language.
18.10.1969 Comal (House17) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_44
Nepali song A man singing a Nepalese song which goes “Bau ko ansa, dhuwe bhai lai bara bar, ae basyo dil …” 10.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_43
Nepali song Prem singing a nepalese song which goes “Sali dhan ko biyu, Narau maya nasukau timro jiyu…” 10.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_42
Nepali song Prem singing a nepalese song which goes “Pani ma khelera, lau maya dhago jhai jelera…” 10.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_40
Nepali song Nainasing (?) singing a Nepalese song which goes “Tasala tama ko phero bachan sautini ama ko…”. The song tells about the harsh words received from the step-mother. 10.1969 Nainasing (House42) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_39
Nepali song A group of women and men singing a Nepalese sing which goes “Ghau ma tori byasi ma aruko til, sora barse maya sanga basyo dil…” 10.5.1969
Atigar? GURUNG_SOUND_38
Nepal song A group of women (untouchables) singing a Nepalese song which goes as “Bar ko daali ma, timi lai laijaula arko pale ma…” 10.5.1969
Atigar GURUNG_SOUND_37
Nepal song A group of men (untouchables) singing a Nepalese song which goes as “Ha..ha.. hai himalai jharyo himalai…” 10.5.1969
Atigar GURUNG_SOUND_36
Gurung song Bopal singing a gurung song “Till till bhyosi tiba, rosa remai yosi jhan dil tiba, danda kamala, mero ko chara saathi…” 28.4.1969 Bopal (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_35
Nepali song Prem singing a ‘lahare bhaka’ song which goes as “Jali todera katai na jhau ae mayalu malai chode ra …” 28.4.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_34
'Tetara sheba' - Nepali song Untouchable women singing “Kasto maya, kasto maya, kasto maya lacha re, udi jane yo chola lai…” 15.4.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_33
'Tetara sheba' - Nepali song Untouchable women singing “Sitara bhare ko dori, chudera fhijiyo bhan bhari…” 15.4.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_32
'Tetara sheba' - Nepali song Untouchable women singing “Dajhu bhai kamrai kasera, himala ko kakhai ma basera…” 15.4.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_31
'Tetara sheba' - Nepali song Untouchable women singing “Gaye dayu gita ta nache dayu gobini, bajai dau basauri Krishna…” 15.4.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_29
'pae lava' At House55. Conversation on porch: weeping inside and Klehbri ringing bells; making 'plah', weeping, cymbals and horn; fetching 'rhi'; inside house waiting for soul 'plah' to come down; dances at midnight (people laughing at anthopologist). 8.4.1969=9.4.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_28C
'Tasu waba' Lama reading mantra at House29. (Illustrates lack of attention during ceremony). 15.3.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_28A
Nepali song A group of women singing a ‘thado bhaka’ song which goes as “Khole bagyo oraley, Kina chadyo asha ko bharaley…” at Bhuwansing's house. Sound of hookah smoking in background and dog barking. 3.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_27
Gurung language Akayprasad teaching Alan Gurung 3.1969 Akayprasad (House70B) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_26
Nepali song A group of men, including Nainasing, and women singing a Nepalese song which goes as “Batishai danta, batishai danta, bholu bholu nirimaya, laye rahancha yo manta…” 3.1969 Nainasing (House42) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_25
Ghato song (Gurung) A group of men known as ‘Guru aba’ are singing the Ghato dance song in the Night School. New rhythm accompanied with drum. 7.2.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_23
Narbir's 84th birthday celebrations Tailor's horn and in the background Brahmin priest chanting their holy lines, then the sound is followed by the Tailor's horn. Slow movement of full Tailors' band - 'jowri sheba'. Faster rhythm. 30.1.1969 Narbir (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_22
Gurung language learning Prem recording phrases then Alan repeating Gurung words. Sound of a Tibetan beggar drumming outside. Next chatting round the fire. Prem helping Alan with Gurung conversation sitting beside the fire. Children amused. 1.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_21
Poju's 'pie' Poju’s 'pegar songvar pie'; 'plogu waba (teju)'; 'Aba Kargore pie' (from time he is asking for weapons in loft down to sending son off as 'moh'). 11.10.1969 Ujesing (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_20
Gurung speech Prem is asking all the sisters, friends and children not to disturb them, not to touch their things, not to stare at them, not to leave their own work and come there just to sit and look at them. 1.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_18
Gurung song Prem singing a Gurung song “Tanga mhu jalari…” 1.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_17
Nepali song A group of girls singing a Nepalese ‘lahare song’ and the song goes “Shir maathi…” 1.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_16
Nepali - Hindu Bhajan Bhuwan Sing bhaje singing a hindu bhajan and the song goes as “Bhajan garo hari naam aba ta….” 12.1.1969 Bhuwansing (House24) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_15
Nepali Hindu Bhajan Bhuwansing singing a hindu bhajan (i.e. song praying to God) and the song goes as “Jaya bhola nathaki damaru, Saab dukha hamro haru….” 12.1.1969 Bhuwansing (House24) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_14
Conversation and Nepali song Bhuwansing and women talking about the other song recording done earlier which weren’t done properly because of the people talking in background and laughing in the middle of song. Then Bhuwansing sings a nepalese song which goes as “Rato bhale kuribai karyo, garibai ko nisafhai harayo…” The song tells about how poor people live in the country side and how difficult it is to survive for them. 12.1.1969 Bhuwansing (House24) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_13
Nepali song A group of women singing a ‘lahare bhaka’ song in Nepalese. The song goes as “Pani talai ma …” 1.1969
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_12
Nepali song A group of men, including Nainasing, singing a ‘thado bhaka’ song in Nepalese. 1.1969 Nainasing (House42) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_11
Gurung language learning Learning Gurung language with Prem, especially question-answer between two people. 1.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_10
Gurung song Prem singing a popular Gurung song. This song tells about a woman’s feeling who is worried about how to go and how to stay in other’s country. The song goes as “Qudai thulai dukha muna bharsa mula ri, Khailai tiba khailai yhaba ahwe hwu-lari...” 1.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_9
Gurung language learning Learning Gurung language with group of people including Prem 1.1969 Prembahadur (House40) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_8
Nepalese song Gungadebi singing a Nepalese song “Ghar ta raya le, malai ke garyo timro maya le…..” 1.1969 Gungadebi (House36) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_7
Pwe lava Alan and Gill describing 'Phai Rhe-theba', where the 'moh' of the dead person dress in a funny costume and holds the ashes of the dead person, and the klehbri chase them beating the music. Resume of the 'pwe' so far. 26.12.1968
Panighat GURUNG_SOUND_6
Gurung song Gurung song usually sung on the way and in the jungle - Comal 25.12.1968 Comal (House17) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_5
Gurung language learning Alan and Gill learning Gurung language, with a Budibahadur and other men, including Akayprasad, from English to Gurung. 25.12.1968 Budibahadur (House40) Akayprasad (House70B) Thak GURUNG_SOUND_4
English song Alan playing a guitar and singing an English song which goes as “Would you bring me a little water Sylvie.” 22.12.1968
Thak GURUNG_SOUND_2
Tibetan (Bhote), Nepalese and English - song and conversation. Starts with the porters singing in their Tibetan language. Then, it continues with a Nepalese song which also talks about the King Mahendra and the song goes as “radio bajai sor ramro….” They are also criticizing each other that the song wasn’t sung correctly. Then a boy thanks (who?) for coming to look for them, in English and sings a song in his language. 22.12.1968 GURUNG_SOUND_1