Nepali music has always been enriched with folk songs
depicting Nepalese culture, landscapes, and feelings. A very iconic song in
this genre is "Lekali He Choya Ko Doko," sung by ever-legendary folk
singer and musician Ram Thapa. What Ram Thapa brought into Nepali music was his
charming songs, and he is truly a pioneer to shape the landscape of folk music
in Nepal. In this blog, we take a look into Ram Thapa's legacy, his popular
song "Lekali He Choya Ko Doko," and his contribution to the Nepali
music industry.
Who Was Ram Thapa?
Ram Thapa, known as a very esteemed folk singer and
musician, was born on August 18th, 1958, in Kamalpokhar of Kathmandu. He is
widely renowned for his soulful voice, relatable lyrics, and his great
contribution to Nepali music. A singer who started his career in 1974, Ram
Thapa sang over 150 folk songs and directed more than 200 songs in his
lifetime. His songs were essentially folk tunes narrating the story of the
Nepali people about their joys, sorrows, and aspirations.
Ram Thapa also worked on publishing music books of lyrics
and chords in Nepal, making him the first among the few to teach aspiring
musicians how to play Nepali music. He has played an influential role in
bringing traditional Nepali music to all, making his contribution quite
essential to the musical education of many Nepali artists.
He started his singing career as a child when he cleared a
voice test from Radio Nepal in 1974. Ram Thapa's first recorded song, "Hai
Hai Bankali Mai," made him an overnight sensation and threw him into the
limelight of his journey to be a beloved folk singer.
Early Life and Personal Background
He was born to father Hastabahadur Thapa and mother
Hirakumari Thapa. He spent his childhood in Kamalpokhar, Kathmandu, where he
initiated his interest in music since his childhood. He passed his SLC
examination in 1972 at the age of 14 years from Yuwak Ma. Vi, Paknajol .
Thapa's interest in music was apparent since his childhood.
He initiated his singing in school days and became instantly successful. He
succeeded with his first song "Hai Hai Bankali Mai" and thus, he
continued dreaming of music. He joined Radio Nepal as a Music Director- Sangeet
Nirdeshak and continued working there for years by creating and promoting
Nepali folk music. He went on to become the senior music coordinator at Radio
Nepal for over two decades. He contributed much to the institution and to the talents
that walked in during his time.
Ram Thapa married Rajani Thapa, who was very supportive of
his musical endeavors. Thapa's work in Nepali music garnered him with awards
throughout his lifetime, and his work continues to be recognized today.
Ram Thapa's Musical Contributions
Ram Thapa has been contributing a lot to Nepali music from
the beginning of his career. With his soulful way of singing, humorous lyrics,
and connectivity with his audience through music, he has been well liked. His
most famous songs include "Katar Katar Ma," "Lekali He Choya Ko
Doko," and "Kati Baschhau Maitikai Kausima." BBC recognized his
song "Reetu Haruma Timi" as the 7th best Nepali song in 2003.
Besides being an excellent singer, Ram Thapa was an equally
talented music director; he wrote and directed over 200 songs, which are still
favored among all age groups in Nepal. He also judged the popular TV program
Nepali Tara I & II and mentored many budding singers in shaping the next
generation of Nepali musical talent.
Besides his recordings and performances, Ram Thapa pioneered
music education in Nepal. He was the first to publish books of lyrics and
chords, enabling greater access to traditional Nepali music for aspiring
musicians. This book gave a foothold to young, upcoming musicians for learning
and practice in the folk songs and is irreplaceable in the Nepali music world.
Song "Lekali He Choya Ko Doko"
One of the most famous songs of Ram Thapa is "Lekali He
Choya Ko Doko." This is not a song; it's an experience that echoes in
listeners' hearts. In these lyrics, livelihoods of people residing in hills,
simplicity of emotions, and attachment to nature have been elaborated.
"Lekali He Choya Ko Doko" epitomizes the essence of rural Nepalese
life, vividly painting a picture of daily struggles, joys, and hopes.
Above all, the song has a melody that's very catching and
soothing to the ears of listeners of every age group. The powerful voice of Ram
Thapa gave full life to the lyrics, which has made this song evergreen. Here
are the lyrics and chords to this iconic song:
Lekali He Choya Ko Doko Chords and Lyrics
G
D G
Lekali he he choya ko doko
G
D
Sano maya he he lagaune dhoko
C G
Napugdai marchu po kyare
D G
E bhana soltee barobar nadhate
G
C
Bagyo khola besi gharyo sammai
C
G
Timro maya kaleji ma tammai
G C
Ankhaima Gajal lapakkai
C
G
Bhana maya laidiun ki chapakkai
G C G
Baisainma Baisainma marchu po kyare
D G
E bhana soltee barobar nadhanti
G C
Rato cholo pakurima timikkai
C G
Basyo maya ankhaima jhimikkai
G C
K godnu karkalo bari
C
G
Parkha timilai roirane napri
G C G
Baisainma baisainma marchu po kyare
D G
E bhana soltee barobar nadhanti
Song Breakdown
"Lekali He Choya Ko Doko" is a story of love,
longing, and the small pleasures of life in rural areas. The lyrics are packed
with imagery capturing the hills, flowing rivers, and emotions of the people
inhabiting it. Of course, there are references to traditional items like
"choya ko doko" or the bamboo basket that points out the culture and
way of living of the people.
The song contains pretty simple chords, probably the reason
this song is favored by almost every jamaica
to play in any occasions or get-togethers. The song beautifully flows
with its chord progression, which alternates between G, D, and C chords, adding
up to the soothing and nostalgic quality of the song.
Legacy of Ram Thapa in Nepali Music
Ram Thapa left no mark; rather, he created a niche in Nepali
music and a contribution which still heralds in the industry. His songs are
still popular and ring in festivals, gatherings, and other cultural events of
the Nepalese people. Thapa's influence is not limited to his songs but also to
helping lay the foundational stones for music education in Nepal, influencing
many young musicians into the passion.
He was also famous for his comic songs, which made people
laugh. His songs used to reveal the peculiarities of life in rural Nepal and
his sense of humor shone through in the witty lyrics. The ability to mix humor
with traditional folk songs made Ram Thapa a household name in Nepali music.
Remembering Ram Thapa
Thapa passed on November 20, 2008, at 50 years old years
because of liver difficulties he had been battling for a considerable length of
time. At the hour of his demise, he was going through treatment at Kathmandu's
Norvic Clinic. He was an irreparable loss for Nepali music, and though he may
be gone, his melodies live among those he allowed to sing, learned their music
education from him, and scores of budding musicians he influenced in one way or
another.
Thapa was cremated at the Pashupati Aryaghat, a highly
important cremation site in Nepal. Rajani Thapa, his wife, gave fire to his
funeral pyre to bid farewell to a man whose music touched the hearts of many.
Celebrating Ram Thapa's Songs Today
The beauty of Ram Thapa's music is that it does not die with
time. Even today, his songs are relatable to the audiences, and these songs are
still loved by a newer generation of music lovers. Most of the songs he sang,
like "Lekali He Choya Ko Doko," are still played in cultural programs
and remind us of the richness of Nepali folk music.
The simplicity and authenticity of his lyrics combined with
the soulful voice make his songs an inherent part of Nepal's music culture. And
amateur musicians still learn from his music books, while guitarists very often
play his songs to pay tribute to his contributions.
Learning "Lekali He Choya Ko Doko" on Guitar
Learning "Lekali He Choya Ko Doko" will help
bridge your gap in connecting with the culture of Nepal if you are a guitarist
or love to sing. The chords are very simple, and hence, even beginners can have
a go at it. You will get a feel of the distinct rhythms and melodies that
define Nepali folk music once you learn this song.
Start off by practicing the chord transitions: G, D, and C.
Once you are comfortable, you can tell how laid-back the strumming pattern in
the song is in order to feature the beauty of the melody and the lyrics. When
you get comfortable with the voicing of the chords, try to sing this song to
evoke the feelings that Ram Thapa had put into his music.
Conclusion:
Ram Thapa's contribution to Nepali music cannot be measured.
Besides being a singer, he was also a teacher, a mentor, and even a pioneer who
brought traditional folk music within the reach of all citizens. His song
"Lekali He Choya Ko Doko" remains iconic in Nepali musical history,
and its simplicity, beauty, and emotion epitomize rural life.
Thapa created a mark through his work at Radio Nepal, as a
judge in Nepali Tara, and the hard work he put into music book publications.
That leaves a legacy that still lives on to inspire artists even today. All
coming together as celebration of life and his music, we remember how folk
songs work to unite people, tell their stories, and keep traditions alive.
Ram Thapa may be gone, but his voice and his music would
keep on echoing in the hearts of the Nepali people for many generations to
come.
Reference
Hindi To Nepali Dictionary Words Starting From बो
Bridging Cultures: Daily Use Hindi Sentences in Parties with Nepali Meaning
Daily Hindi Sentences for Kids with Nepali Translations: A Simple Guide
Daily Office Sentences: Essential Hindi-Nepali Translations for Everyday Use
Daily Use Hindi Sentences for Parents with Nepali Meanings: A Guide for Everyday Conversations
Daily Use Hindi Sentences for Students with Nepali Meaning
Essential Daily Sentences for Market Conversations: Hindi to Nepali and Vice-Versa
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