The Nepali adhunik (modern) genre of music has a long legacy. Evolving with the establishment of Radio Nepal in 1951, the genre got its name when Nepali composers and singers started recording their songs with the addition of Western instruments to the existing Eastern classical compositions. The harmonium, tabala and madal were accompanied by violins, pianos and guitars to create this unique genre which has become so popular over time that the use of any or all Western instruments and orchestration have been naturalized.
Big names like Narayan Gopal, Gopal Yonzon, Arun Thapa, Tara Devi and Bhakta Raj Acharya started this musical legacy, which was then carried forward by singers of the newer generation like Ram Krishna Dhakal and now Pramod Kharel. The vocals, always rooted to Eastern classical, and the complex arrangements created with careful juxtaposition of melodies and harmonies, make the adhunik genre easy to listen to but difficult to create.
Although still called ‘modern’ Nepali music, adhunik is a not a popular genre among our youngsters. The complexities and the level of musicianship required is such that very few musicians enter this realm of Nepali music. But among the larger population, adhunik songs are still high in demand. While most young musicians are making pop, rock and rap music, there are a handful of musical prodigies who have taken the adhunik inheritance into their hands.
The 33-year-old Ajar Jangam is one such prodigy. Like most youngsters, he also started with pop and rock music. “But I found my true calling in singing adhunik songs and gazals,” Ajar says. “Those are the kinds of music I grew up listening to and my voice also matched the texture required for these genres.”
Ajar grew up in a family that is the very emblem of modern Nepali music.
Ajar grew up in a family that is the very emblem of modern Nepali music. His father, Prof Deepak Jangam, is a legendary music composer and educator who has worked with the likes of Narayan Gopal, Ananda Karki, Deepak Kharel, Pakistani gazal maestro Ghulam Ali and even composed music on Late Queen Chadani Shah’s lyrics. Among his evergreen hits are “Gajalu Ti”, “Kina Kina Timro Tasbir”, “Euta Manche Ko”, “Yi Halla Haru Hun” and “Yati Dherai Maya” to name a few. His list of memorable Nepali songs is so large that if you listen to a FM radio station for a whole day, you are bound to hear one of his songs.
Ajar’s mother, Prof Dr Beny Jangam Rawal, is a researcher and scholar of ethnic Nepali music. She has written numerous research articles and publications on Nepali music and is considered an authority in the history of Nepali music.
Coming from this ‘musical’ family, it is natural to assume Ajar’s road to success was easy. Not so, avers Ajar. “I wanted to independently start my career but the pressure of the family name was immense,” he says. “I then started taking part in music competitions and also winning some awards. I wanted to prove myself, I guess.” Ajar also recounts instances when he had to miss opportunities or refrain from trying something new to protect his family name.
But that did not stop him from creating a name for himself. Ajar kept studying and practicing music to become one of the most successful, young adhunik singers in the country, also winning many accolades on the way.
A big moment in his life was when he won the “Record of the Year” and “Best Vocal Male” titles at the Hits FM Music Awards in 2015 for his song “Jindagi Le Hisaab Magcha”. The nominations included the ‘Who’s who’ of the Nepali music industry but the youngster nonetheless managed to woo the jury with his mature vocals.
Ajar is one of those musicians who believe the art should always be greater than the artist. In today’s heavily commercialized music industry, he relies more on his skills than in creating showy facades. The genre he is dedicated to might be deemed old but he has kept himself updated with the latest advents in music technologies. He is well equipped in the art of recording, arranging and mixing as well. Not only does he excel as a musician, Ajar is also a national level gold medalist in gymnastics and represented Nepal at the 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou in 2010. He had to retire for health reasons soon after the event and has since kept his focus strictly on music.
For Ajar, music is not just a business but a devotion he has dedicated his life to. With a Master’s in Music from the Tribhuvan University, he is also pursuing a PhD in Music as well as teaching collegelevel students.
