people live. Our agriculture, food, ecology, seasons, and rituals are all reflected in these songs. Palligiti, Bhatiwali, Jari, Sari, Gambhira, Lalon Giti, Paalagan, and the songs of Hason Raja all embody the self-expression of the people.

As the landscape changes, the music shifts too. In the hill tracts, you encounter music with the same role but expressed in the diverse languages of the ethnic communities. The instruments used for folk music are crafted from materials found in the surroundings-animal skin, bamboo, and calabash are common examples. The sounds they produce are deeply connected to the land they come from. As people migrate to cities and villages transform, these traditional tunes are slowly fading. However, folk music still finds its place in mainstream films and music albums.

The following are translations of a Hason Raja song and a Bhawaiya song featured in the film Asiya, directed by Fateh Lohani: