Nepalese Nation, Nationalism and Identities in Patriotic Songs

Bishnu Prasad Dahal

doi:10.5296/ijld.v10i4.18135

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the different aspects of Nepalese patriotic songs. Here, lyrics of patriotic songs are reviewed and their contents are analyzed. This study is focused on how these patriotic songs assist to promote Nepalese nationalism, national beauties, national identities and national unity. It is the representative expression of all national songs and patriotic songs all over the country. Music in the form of the national songs and patriotic songs were and remain essential components of national identity and national unity. These songs are popular and accepted by Nepalese citizens as a part of their national identity and such affinities are supported by the songs’ repeated broadcast and consumption on Radio Nepal, various other Radios, Nepal Television, private television channels and social media platforms. It is found form the research that patriotic music provides a means for social cohesion, not via the propagation of dogmatic patriotic content, but through the personal and intimate associations that such songs solicit from individual citizens.

Highlights

According to Ronald Reagan, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation” and a nationalist as someone who is proud of his country no matter what it does
It is found form the research that patriotic music provides a means for social cohesion, not via the propagation of dogmatic patriotic content, but through the personal and intimate associations that such songs solicit from individual citizens
After analyzing the lyrics of those above mentioned widely celebrated Nepalese nationalistic songs, its findings and analysis are categorized in the sub titles so as to make the description easier Based on the findings from the content analysis of the sample patriotic songs, the national identity, nationalism and nations are found the prime emotional things for people of Nepal

Summary

Introduction

According to Ronald Reagan, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation” and a nationalist as someone who is proud of his country no matter what it does. While defining the nationalism and patriotism, Reagan argues that nationalism is very important identity of every people of that particular nation while patriotism means “devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty. Hooson (1994) importantly presented the idea about national symbols as; many of these same symbols and images provide the basis for nationalism, regionalism, irredentism, and potentially even later for separatism, devolution, and conflict and according to Lowenthal, (1994) the most frequent images and symbols in a state’s iconography are its flag, national anthem, national coat of arms, and motto, all defining its identity. National identity has to be learnt. Kolsto (2006) mentioned the importance of national symbols, flags, coats of arms; national anthems play such a crucial role in nation- building

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