Inside a small practice room in Chhetrapati, the members of the progressive rock band, Mukut, plans for the rest of the week. Most probably Sundays for arrangement, Tuesdays for travelling uphill and composing, Wednesdays for practice and Saturday for hanging out. Lead guitarist Roshan Kunwar, vocalist Girish Subedi, bassist Dona Gurung and drummer Sanjog Pradhan share the strongest bond of friendship that has kept the band alive for all these years.
Mukut-the musical headgear, as they call themselves started out in 1999 as an ensemble of friends who were really passionate about music. They call themselves ‘mukut’, as the word’s meaning
signifies the importance they place on music. “We are hypnotised by this musical headgear, Mukut,” says Kunwar. The group continued till 2003 with its founding members and in 2004, they launched their first album Marubhumi. But like the fate of most bands, the members disbanded in pursuit of higher education and only Kunwar and Subedi were left to keep it going. “For some time, the members kept coming in and leaving until we met Dona and then Sanjog; we really gelled well together and since then we have remained a solid unit,” says Subedi.
This had been an acute problem for the band. “It was not a loss of energy as we all kept up with our performances, but it was loss of time because we spent much trying to cope up with new members coming in; it seems that initially there was a lack of band sentiment,” adds Gurung. However, now the ensemble is ready to launch their second album Jungali this April after a long hiatus. The album has 10 original tracks with two English numbers.
The group has already prepared a music video for the title track Jungali which satirically points out some ironies within society- such as the rising barbarianism within civilised society. Garima Shah from the X-IT band has also lent her voice for three songs.
The group has also been performing gigs around the Valley and has toured to Pokhara for performances. Apart from that, they have used their music for social cause by touring different schools and colleges around the Valley to spread awareness about drug addiction. The band also organised concerts to help raise funds for the treatment of their friend Jaya, who was ailing due to kidney failure. “We have kept up with our performances over these years-music isn’t just about albums; after launching our albums, our listeners will still continue to see us playing music for some social cause related to youth or nature,” says Kunwar.
The members complain that one of the reasons they decided not to come up with their album was the cut-throat competition in the industry, which hinders young musicians from growth.
“Young musicians need to be given an opportunity and a platform to showcase their talents,” says Gurung, “commercial success can be focused on later.”
The team moves on with their venture to establish themselves as noted musicians in the Nepali music scene. Perhaps their new album will be a milestone in their journey. ----- by ANUSTHA SHRESTHA