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The Gandharbha's Life

"I have been singing in the streets for the last 15 years. When I was younger, I would follow my father wherever he went. Back in those days there were fewer buses in the highway so father would find...

Published12 November 2016

Reading Time 2 mins

Author Stories of Nepal

Location Nepal

The Gandharbha's Life

"I have been singing in the streets for the last 15 years. When I was younger, I would follow my father wherever he went. Back in those days there were fewer buses in the highway so father would find...

"I have been singing in the streets for the last 15 years. When I was younger, I would follow my father wherever he went. Back in those days there were fewer buses in the highway so father would find a village and we would sing from one door to the next. And as I followed him, I found peace in the melodies he created. At night I would steal my father's Sarangi, go to the fields and try and imitate him. Sometimes I would happily return home after creating my own tunes. Today, I get on the buses and play the Sarangi. I sing the songs that father used to sing. Some people are generous and they give me money. That is how I support my family. Life has not been so easy living on the highway. The songs I sing are old and people have stopped resonating to the lyrics. They want modern music. There are some who tell me to play a certain song and they thank me. And it feels good. Sometimes, after a long day, and when I am not able to make money, I go to the river bank and sing songs - those I learnt from my father, and as I looks at the rapids, I wonder what life is." (Krishna Gandharva, Met him in Mugling, Chitwan)

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