Ralpha () was a leftist cultural group of Nepal which produced various songs and literatures to protest against the government. They began as a politically neutral group primarily due to problem with

Radio Nepal Radio Nepal ( ne, रेडियो नेपाल) is the state-owned Radio broadcasting organisation of Nepal. It was established 2 April 1951. Radio Nepal airs programs on short wave, medium wave ( AM) and FM frequencies. Regular broadcast ...

regarding non-payment of royalty but it gradually turned into a cultural movement. They produced protest songs, poems and novels against the autocratic rule of Panchyat.

History

Narayan Bhakta Shrestha (Rayan), a member of Ralpha, was denied the royalty by

for his song/poem collection for the period of 2021-2023 BS. Royalty was drawn out from their account by someone else by forging documents. When the same forging was identified by other authors and poets, the victims formed a group to protest against

. One day

Parijat ''Nyctanthes arbor-tristis'', also known as the Night-flowering jasmine or Parijat (Parvati chi phula), is a species of ''Nyctanthes'' native to South Asia and Southeast Asia.Flora of Pakistan''Nyctanthes arbor-tristis''/ref>AgroForestry Tre ...

called all the authors and poet and gave a pen-name for each of them and formed the group of Ralpha. It happened in 2024 BS (mid 1960s. As explained by poet, Manjul (poet), the word Ralpha does not have any meaning. Ralpha was initially influenced by the contemporary trends of nihilism and existentialism and partially influenced by Nietzsche's proclamation that “God is Dead.” Ralpha was also influenced by

Albert Camus Albert Camus ( , ; ; 7 November 1913 – 4 January 1960) was a French philosopher, author, dramatist, and journalist. He was awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature The 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded the French writer Alb ...

and Jean Paul Sartre. After its formation, many members of Ralpha worked together with the Coordination Committee in Eastern Nepal, which was later called Community Party of Nepal (Marxist–Leninist).

Notable contributions

* '' Shirishko Phool'' (Mimosa Flower), a novel by Parijat * ''Chekudolma'' a novel by Manjul *''

Gaun Gaun Bata Utha ''Gaun Gaun Bata Utha'' () is a Nepali-language revolutionary song by music duo Raamesh and Rayan and written and composed by Shyam Tamot. The song is also known as ''Sankalpa'' (resolution/ vow) song. The song has been translated into 17 natio ...

'', a song by the group *''Euta Marera Jaanchha, Haami Hajaara Hunchhaun'', a song by the group *'' Neelo Noon'' (Blue salt), a cultural protest program in 2025 BS

Social significance

Songs by Ralpha is used time to time during protest in Nepal. In

2006 Nepalese revolution The 2006 Democracy Movement ( ne, text=लोकतन्त्र आन्दोलन, translit=Loktantra Āndolan) is a name given to the political agitations against the direct and undemocratic rule of King Gyanendra of Nepal. The movement ...

, their songs were widely used in the protest rallies. The

Maoist movement Maoism, officially called Mao Zedong Thought by the Chinese Communist Party, is a variety of Marxism–Leninism that Mao Zedong developed to realise a socialist revolution in the agricultural, pre-industrial society of the Republic of Chi ...

in (1996-2006) also used their songs widely for cultural programs. Their songs were banned time to time by the government.

Members

* Raameshwor Shrestha (Raamesh) *Arim * Manjul *

* Ganesh Rasik * Narayan Bhakta Shrestha (Rayan)

References

Nepalese artists Nepalese musical groups Nepalese literary movements {{Nepal-stub Left-wing activism Nepali literary movements