My research focuses on ethnicity, ritual, and belonging in the Himalayas, specifically Nepal
and how people shape these through music
Ethnicity
My dissertation research focused on how the Tharu—one of Nepal’s largest ethnic minority groups—address questions about their ethnic identity and national belonging through ritual, musical practices.
Ritual
As formalized and stylized acts that often rely on musical expression to enact a community’s social memory or demonstrate their values, ritual shapes people’s identity and belonging. My work examines the creative agency of people to mobilize the cultural meanings within their community’s music traditions toward social and spiritual ends.
Belonging
My present research looks at how Christian Nepalis—a religious minority in a historically Hindu state—claim cultural belonging through choices in musical style in their congregational song practices.
I have presented my research at
Annual Kathmandu Conference ~ Society for Ethnomusicology Annual Meeting ~
International Council for Traditional Music World Conference ~ Christian Congregational Music Conference ~
Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies Conference
