The preservation of dying cultural practices was the major theme in the panel discussion held during the seventh International Folk music film festival, in the Capital this week.

In the event, it was made known that folk tunes from western Nepal was tied to the practice of shamanism.

During the discussion titled ‘Folk music and performance: Evaluating our inheritance and ensuring a lasting bequest’, Manohar Lamichhane, member of Nepal Lokbarta Parisad, presented a paper that provided an argument for how the Dhyangro, a musical drum, became an indispensable part of a shamanistic ritual.

Despite the decrease in number of believers, Lamichanne emphasised, there is still a widespread belief in shamanism.

“It is an essential part of birth and death rituals in several districts in the western and far western regions of Nepal,” reads a part of Lamichhane’s paper, “There needs to be more scholarly work exploring why shamanism is still a prevalent practice in those regions.”

Along with Lamichhane, Sagar Kafle presented a paper on the musical culture that surrounds the use of Khaijadi and Mujira in Syangja, Kaski, Parbat, and Palpa.  “The practice of Bhajan-singing is dwindling in several areas. Previously, people spent all night singing Bhajan. Today, the practice hardly continues for more than three hours.”

. Alongside Lamichhane and Kafle, representatives from Bhutan, Sri Lanka, US, and India presented papers that spoke to the theme of the panel discussion.

The fest, which will feature screenings and discussions, will run through Nov 25 at Rastriya Nach Ghar.