Malshree or Malashree Dhun or Malshree Dhoon (Malashree Instrumental ) (Nepal Bhasa: मालश्री धून) is a Newar music in which musicians perform devotional instrumental melody, based on indigenous instrumental system.Asian Images The dhun (instrumental melody ) is incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of Dashain. It is one of the oldest surviving devotional instrumental music of Nepal, with its origin in the 17th or older century.MELODIOUS INSTRUMENTS OF LYRICAL NEPAL
History Classic devotional music has been in existence in Nepal for more than a thousand years.उपत्यकाभित्रका भक्तिगीत तथा भजनहरू Author: Dr. Saphalya Amatya The time period between 11th to 17th century saw an increase in literary activity in Kathmandu. Numerous devotional music, dances, and plays have been found from this era. Most experts believe that the literary development during this era culminated in the development of Newa music form.
The earliest treatise on Malshree dhun found till date is a book in Nepal Bhasa called Sangit Chandra.Book:Nepalbhasa Sahityaya Itihas, Author:Premshanti Tuladhar, Publication:Nepalbhasa Academy, The book was written as an appendix to Natya Shastra by the Newari Malla king of Bhaktapur Jagat Jyoti Malla and his ministers. The book elaborates on Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra and Abhinavagupta's Abhinavabharati. This was followed by Gayanlochan, written during the reign of Jitamitra Malla. Gayanlochan focuses more on introduction to raga (and raginis), their characteristics, and performance.
Performance The sitar, the tabla, the taa and the dhimay are the mainstays of the spiritually uplifting dhun, with some other instruments like the sarangi and flute taking a more subdued role. The composition is related to the Malashree raga. The melody is maintained by the sitar. The Malshree music is performed according to a fixed schedule, which is during the Dashain festival. There are specific pieces of music which are played during the specific season, specific day of the week and specific hours of the day.Book: Kantipur (कान्तिपुर), Author: Basu Pasa (बासुपासा)
Seasons, their festivals and music accompanying them are as follows
Season Festival Song CommentsGrishma (Summer)Sithinakha to Gathāmuga ChareSinjyā Barsha (Monsoon) Gathāmuga Chare to Yanlā Punhi Tukājyā Sharad (Autumn) Silu mye Hemant (Winter) Dashian (Mohanee) Mālshree Incorporated into mainstream Nepalese music as the music of DashainShishirHoli mye Basant Shree panchami to Buddha Jayanti Vasanta Played to Head of state of Nepal in Nasalchowk on Vasant Panchami
See also Newa music Malashree List of Nepali musical instruments
References
External links Malshree Dhun British Library clip of Dapha (1955-56) Newari Music - Mwe Dyahlhaygu 1952 Asan Dapha Khala performing Dapha Kathmandu, a valley fertile for music (Himal magazine)