Retired Gorkha soldiers in India’s Dehradun keep the traditional Naumati music alive

Indian Army ex-serviceman KB Gurung’s troupe has been bringing the timeless Nepali beats to community celebrations in the Uttarakhand city.

In the bustling city of Dehradun in India, the traditional music of Naumati —a set of nine traditional Nepali percussion and wind instruments—echoes during auspicious occasions like weddings, Bratabandha [initiation ritual for boys], festivals, and cultural events. The movement to preserve this unique cultural heritage is led mainly by retired Gorkha soldiers who have traded rifles for rhythms.