Reflections on Sound and Music in Nepalese (Life -Cycle

Astrid Zotter

Reflections on Sound and Music in Nepalese (Life-Cycle) Rituals

Temples at Mangalbazar, PatanPhoto: 16.03.2007

Permanent Ritual Space

Temple for Nāsadyaḥ, god of musicN. Gutschow „Architecture of the Newars“, Vol. 1

1. Permanent Ritual Space

1. Permanent Ritual Space

Bell at the Kālikā temple, Gorkha palacePhoto: 15.02.2012

1. Permanent Ritual Space

Big Bell at Patan palacePhoto: Prakash Bajracharya (flickr.com)

Big Bell at Bhaktapur palacePhoto: AdjaFong (flickr.com)

1. Permanent Ritual Space

Big Bell (Ṭhūlo ghaṇṭā) at Kathmandu palacePhoto: Gvnkelly (tripwow.tripadvisor.com)

2. Temporary Ritual Space

Sacrificial Enclosure (maṇḍapa) erected for marriagePhoto: 23.01.2011

2. Temporary Ritual Space

Placing implements needed for performing fire sacrificePhoto: 15.12.2010

2. Temporary Ritual Space

Ritual patron ringing the bell in worshipping the mothersPhoto: 15.12.2010

2. Temporary Ritual Space

Priest chanting mantras during marriagePhoto: 23.01.2011

3. Ritual Space in Motion

Procession of Naradevī, KathmanduPhoto: 22.03.2012

3. Ritual Space in Motion

Khaḍgasiddhijātrā of Bhadrakālī, Kathmandu, 22.10.2015Photo: fb.com/mhasika

“The special power of the Gathu [i.e. gardeners] primarily derives from the divine sound they produce by the grace of Nāsadyaḥ, the god of music and dance. The Gathu are the only ones who by their music can set into motion the procession image of the reluctant god Pacalī Bhairava…”

(van den Hoek 2004, 84)

Ritual Space in Motion

Arrival of the wedding procession at the ritual venuePhoto: 08.03.2011

Arrival of the wedding processionPhoto: 22.11.2010

Ritual Space in Motion

Pañcai Bājā announcing the of the wedding processionPhoto: 22.11.2010

Ritual Space in Motion

Members of the wedding procession dancingPhoto: 18.02.2011

Ritual Space in Motion

Temporary Ritual SpaceImparting the mantraduring initiationPhoto: 07.03.2011

Concerted ritual actions on the„auspiciousmoment“ (śubhalagna) Photos: 09.03.2012

nasadya

nasadya

Initiation performed at the Rāmatemple of Battis Putali, DeopatanPhoto: 5.12.2006

Permanent Ritual Space

Pupils of a Veda school hired for an initiationPhoto: 20.02.2011

Permanent Ritual Space

Parṭi Pyālas, Kathmandu

Permanent Ritual Space

Prospective bride and groom at their kuro chinneat a Party Palace, KathmanduPhoto: 22.02.2012

Permanent Ritual Space

Brass Band hired for marriage, KathmanduPhoto: 18.02.2011

Astrid Zotter

Reflections on Sound and Music in Nepalese (Life-Cycle) Rituals