Ruralising the City: Migration and Viraha in Translocal Nepal

What is it about?

This article argues that Nepali migration from rural areas to and through cities is not only urbanization but also ruralization, understood as bringing rural ways of living and sensibilities to urban areas. The examples of viraha songs from Nepal demonstrate this trend throughout history, especially in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries after the advent of Gurkha recruitment.

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Why is it important?

It highlights the importance of rural social organization and the rituals that help social groups adapt to new places and urban areas, especially expressing emotions and establishing social ties through singing, and claiming space through musical sound.