Jara Foundation

Min Samal, an extraordinarily talented Flutist from Sindhuli enraptures audience at his solo performance “Notes of Peace” organised by Jara Foundation at Sarwanam Theatre on Friday, 8 July 2013. Samal played classical, soft modern and folk numbers on his flute. He was assisted by his friends from Kalanidhi Indira Sangreet Mahavidyalaya, Kupandole.

About Samal

IF there  are people who grudge against odd times and bad luck as impediments to their rise, Min Bahadur
Samal is an answer. His evolution, from a village-bred poverty stricken boy from the rural, agrarian background of Sindhuli— through a kitchen help in Kathmandu—to a flute start today is a story of inspiration, that can propel us to shun all self-incurred inferiority and rise to kiss the sky, which is the limit! Preparing well for a great career is half the achievement, and Min has done that!
Born to a farmer’s family in Kalimati -5, Toshram Khola VDC of Sindhuli district in Ashwin 2044 BS, Samal grew as the eldest child of his parents, working for the family and taking care of his five junior siblings—three sisters and two brothers. After his matriculation from the same district, he accompanied his aunt and came to Kathmandu, dreaming to acquire +2 education. Incidentally, he was left to work at a house in Baneshwar as a domestic help, where he first discovered the artist in himself. Min remembers with high reverence his master Muktinath Sharma— an acclaimed writer—who first told him, flute was his cup of tea.
Min recalls his story this way: 
“I didn’t select the flute; the flute selected me! I didn’t know I could pick the flute as my career. While in my village, I sometimes played it, but that was limited to my hobby. When I came to Kathmandu, I had with me a self-made flute. At my master’s home in Baneshwar, I sometimes played it, and my master praised me.

After a few days, he asked me to join a music school nearby, where I came in contact with Ramchandra Anjal. He directed me to join Kalanidhi Indira Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Polchowk. I went there, only to realize that my
meager income would not allow me to pay the fees there. So, I continued to work where I was. A year later, I was called to the school again with scholarship offers, which I quickly cashed. As I started learning there, I also worked as a receptionist. Finally, I was in the discipline my soul craved for. I acquired Senior Diploma there, and presently
I am doing my fifth year. I am thankful to my teacher and mentor Jeevan Ale and Jeevan Bista, who shaped my career in the way I stand today.
“When I joined the music school, I was asked to buy a flute of C-scale. When I inquired its cost, I was told, the simplest one would cost a thousand rupees! This was something I have never imagined. I earned one thousand rupees as my monthly salary. Buying the flute for the same amount, therefore, was a far-fetched dream. However, I requested my aunt to lend me the cash; she kindly complied and I bought the flute. That day, I thought, I was
on the top of the world. I have, since then, continued to love the flute. I started my professional career from Dohori Sanjh. I held my first job with Laliguras Dohori Sanjh in Gongabu. As a professional, I extended my contacts with people in the musical field, who soon encouraged me to join religious squads who performed Puranas—especially
Bhag avat—a n d took musicians in their team. After performing with a couple of teams, I finally joined
Pandit Dinbandhu Pokharel’s team. I am still performing for the team. With my flute, I have visited Thailand, North-East India, Sikkim, Darjeeling and various parts of Nepal. I am overwhelmed by the love I have received. In Thailand, I was honored with a garland of currency notes; I recall similar love in India and Nepal.”

“Once I was performing at Kalanidhi Indira Sangeet Mahavidyalaya. The Chief Guest that day was Himila Yami, who was a minister then. My mentor and School Chairperson Indira Shretha introduced me to Minister Yami. As my pick,I played the ‘Jai-Jai Wanti’ raga. After the performance, Minsiter Yami delivered a speech, which was
fully dominated by her praise for me. She said, he had never imagined that a worker’s hands—worn by work and toil
in utter hardship—could deliver such magical melodies on the flute! That day I felt, I was blessed!

“As a student, I once went out to Patan Krishna Mandir to see a musical performance. I saw a man taking out a huge and long flute and playing it. I had never seen such a huge-sized flute in the past. In fact, I have never imagined a
flute could have such a huge size. All did was dream: when can I myself play such a flute!!”