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Lekali He Choya Ko Doko: Celebrating Ram Thapa’s Evergreen Song and Life

 

Lekali He Choya Ko Doko: Celebrating Ram Thapa’s Evergreen Song and Life

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

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