Palam — Limbu Folk Song Dialogues

№ 001

The Mountain and the River

CourtshipPanchthar, Limbuwan5 verses

He singsम पहाड हुँ जो कहिल्यै हल्लिँदैन, म हिउँ हुँ जो कहिल्यै पग्लिँदैन। को हौ तिमी, नदी, मेरो मन बदल्न सक्छौ भन्ने?

She singsम नदी हुँ जो कहिल्यै रोकिँदैन, म पानी हुँ जो ढुङ्गालाई नरम बनाउँछ। को हौ तिमी, पहाड, एक्लै बस्न सक्छौ भन्ने?

+3 more verses

A classic courtship Palam sung during Dhan Nach (paddy dance). The boy compares himself to a mountain and the girl to a river, each claiming their own strength while acknowledging they need the other.

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№ 002

Where Did You Come From?

CourtshipTaplejung, Limbuwan7 verses

He singsभन न नानी, ठूलो आँखी — सूर्यले रातमा कहाँ सुत्छ?

She singsसूर्य नदीमा सुत्छ, मूर्ख केटा — बिहान पानी चम्केको देखेको छैनौ? भन त — बतास कहाँबाट आउँछ?

+5 more verses

A playful riddle-style Palam where the boy and girl test each other's cleverness through questions about nature and origin — a form of intellectual courtship traditional to the Limbu Yalang gatherings.

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№ 003

Harvest Thanksgiving Song

SeasonalEastern Nepal8 verses

He singsधान झुक्यो, सुन जस्तो गह्रो — सुम्निमाले यो साल धेरै दिइन्।

She singsहँसिया तिख्खो छ, डोको ठूलो छ — धर्तीले दिएको जम्मा गरौं।

+6 more verses

Sung during the autumn harvest season when the rice paddies are cut and threshed. The dialogue expresses gratitude to the earth and anticipation of the feasting season.

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№ 004

Sambahamphe's Love Song

CourtshipLimbuwan6 verses

He singsचार माया जानेछु — पहाडको बिहानीको माया, खोलाको पानीको माया, आगोको जाडोको माया, र राती निदाउन नदिने माया।

She singsचार दुःख जानेछु — रूख ढल्दा चराको दुःख, जाडोमा फूलको दुःख, बादल पछि चन्द्रको दुःख, र तिमीलाई कुर्ने दुःख।

+4 more verses

Inspired by the famous Char Maya Palam tradition of the poet Sambahamphe, one of the most celebrated Limbu Palam composers. A melancholic dialogue about longing and separation.

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