Youths embrace art of Madal making

By Our Correspondent,Ghorahi, Oct. 9: As the Dashain and Tihar festivals are approaching, 41-year-old Anant Bahadur Sarki of Thatikhola, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-2, is busy making madals (membranophone percussion), traditional Nepali drums.

 He said he has been making and repairing new madals by employing four workers, as he earns a good income from their sales and repairs during the festive season.

Considering festivals as an important part of traditional culture and folk life, around 15 to 20 customers have been visiting him almost every day to buy new madals or get them repaired. According to him, people from the Tharu community mainly visit during Dashain, while customers from other communities are more common during Tihar.

The Sarki family has continued the skill of making madals as a profession for generations. “My father used to make madals at home, so I learnt the skill at a young age. Now, the same skill has become a source of income for me. I do not have to go elsewhere to support my family,” he said. He also makes other musical instruments such as tablas and dholaks.