Jhalak Man Gandarbha

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Jhalak Man Gandarbha (1935 - November 23, 2003^{[citation needed]}) is one of the most significant Nepali folk singers. He is popular for Gaine Geet or Gandarbha Sangeet, a popular type of folk song sang only by the Gaine or Gandarbha ethnic group of Nepal. He is the first Gaine singer to record Gaine song and is respected for bringing voice of indigenous and ordinary people into the mass media. Aamale Sodhlin Ni... (mama may ask...)is by far his most popular song which intones the sad death of a Nepali soldier in a foreign battle ground.

[edit] Life

Jhalak Man started singing at early age, as every young member of his community does. He started his career as a street singer to earn his living. With the help of Dharmaraj Thapa, he got a place in Radio Nepal station in 1965.

[edit] Work

The Gandharbhas recorded different kinds of folk tunes like Jhyaure, Khyali Geet, Karkha and Bhajan. Jhalak composed Karkhas of some twenty Nepali heroes who have shown their bravery during the Second World War. He has recorded only one album but that was enough to give him the recognition of one of the most influential and popular folk singers of Nepal. He devoted his entire life in collecting, composing, performing and promoting Gaine Geet.

He has also performed in various countries like Germany, Belgium, Yugoslavia, France, and India.