Nepal is a country of great cultural where various elements have met and entered into a long-standing co-existence.
Though small in size, Nepal's cultural richness has sometimes made observers and researchers from outside perplexed, who often end up with scratching the surface or dealing with only a small portion of it.
In the present study entitled, Folk Culture of Nepal, the author, Dr. Ram Dayal Rakesh, explores the cultures of both the Hill areas and the plains of Nepal with his keen and penetrating insight.
Though Dr. Rakesh has literature as his main educational background, he has also been engaged in the study of popular and folk culture. As a result of this, we find a combination of literary talent and cultural concern in his writings.
In the first and the longest chapter, he describes and analyzes the institution of Rodighar among the Gurungs and the Magars of West Nepal. He not only studies the basic concept, organization, functions and activities of the Rodi but also offers a good account of the people who practice it.
More remarkable is the fact that he pays attention to diverse aspects of life with which the Rodi institution is related. Not only rites, rituals, dances and songs but also agricultural and other work organizations are discussed along with the central theme of courtship and marriage.
Thus, we can point out that the broadness of the scope and interest constitutes one of the main characteristics of the present author's work, which is pursued throughout the volume.
The second chapter is a vivid travelogue, at the end of which the author gives an advice for the development of tourism.
The chapters that follow share the same characteristics; the author covers a wide range of subjects found in the Mithila culture such as festivals, proverbs, music, art, folk-tales, dances, dramas, sculpture, architecture, marriage songs etc.
Born in Nepal Terai which falls in the Mithila area, the author writes with intimacy and authenticity on these subjects. All through the book, we find descriptions and interpretations which can scarcely be given by one who is not born into the culture dealt with. Reading the book, besides acquiring a good introduction to the concerned subjects, the readers will be left impressed by the pride and love which the author has towards his own country.
Nepal is the homeland of various ethnic groups and a home of peace-loving people. Its past is glorious, great and grand. The prince of peace Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia, was also born in this fabulous land. He preached and propagated the slogan of peace, love and brotherhood in the whole world. - Our country is a small and land-locked country, having an area of 1,47,181 square miles. In shape and size, it is roughly rectangular inhabited by 2,64,94,504 [2011] people. Topographically, it falls into four natural divisions:
1. Tropical region of the Terai
2. The low mountain and hills of Bhabar and Churia.
3. The sub-Himalayan region known as the Mahabharat range.
4. The main Himalayan Mountain chain.
1. Tropical Region of the Terai
This fertile alluvial narrow strip of land, extending from east to west has a hot tropical climate. It is the southern part of Nepal with an altitude between 250 and 600 feet above sea level. Geographically, it falls into the northern periphery of the great Gangetic plain of India. This particular area is rich, and provides the highest land-revenue and is prosperous. It is the backbone of the Nepalese economy and can be rightly named as the granary of Nepal.
2. The low mountain and hills of Bhabar and Churia
The low mountain and hills of Bhabar and Churia are situated in the south of the sub-Himalayan Mountain and in the north of the Terai. It is a narrow belt of land called the Bhabar or Charkose Jhari, (the forest area having the width of 8 miles). It is covered with dense sub-tropical forest. It is famous for flora and wild life.
3. The Sub-Himalayan region known as the Mahabharat Range comprises the intricate system of mountain ranges lying between the Great Himalayan and the Churiya Hills. This part has a soothing and sub-tropical climate. Hence, it is known for intensive paddy cultivation.
4. The main Himalayan Mountain Chain: This is the world famous mountain range including the highest peak, Mount Everest. It includes five of the highest peaks in the world. The deep river gorges of the Koshi and the Gandaki are at the lower foots. It has extremely cold climate.
Nepal is a heaven for archaeologists, anthropologists, naturalists, artists and tourists. It is a magnet for tourists of the world. Though it is small in size, it is vast in cultural heritage. It is a multilingual country. Nepali is the lingua franca of the country. It has been derived from Prakrit and Sanskrit, and is written in the Devanagari script. According to the 1981 census, National language Nepali is spoken by more than 8 million (44.6%, 2011) people in the country.
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