# Nepali Music and Dance: Madal, Sarangi and Lakhe

_Published 15 June 2026_

Music is everywhere in Nepal: in temple courtyards at dawn, in wedding processions and in Kathmandu's live music bars at night.

**Quick answer:** Listen for the **madal** (a hand drum), the **sarangi** (a bowed fiddle traditionally played by Gandharva musicians), and **panche baja**, the "five instruments" band at weddings. **Dohori** is a sung question-and-answer duel. Famous dances include the masked **Lakhe** of Kathmandu and the **Maruni** dance at Tihar.

## Instruments

- **Madal:** the heartbeat of Nepali folk music.
- **Sarangi:** a carved, bowed instrument. Gandharva musicians traditionally travelled between villages singing news and stories.
- **Bansuri:** bamboo flute.
- **Panche baja:** drums, cymbals and horns at weddings and festivals.
- **Dhime:** big Newar drums in festival processions.

## Dance

- **Lakhe:** a masked demon dance, especially at [Indra Jatra](/blog/indra-jatra-festival).
- **Maruni:** a dance performed during [Tihar](/blog/tihar-festival-guide).
- **Tharu stick dance** in Chitwan and Bardia.
- **Sherpa and Tibetan circle dances** at [Losar](/blog/losar-festival-nepal).

## Where to listen

Dohori restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara serve dinner with live folk songs and dance. Thamel has live music bars. See [Kathmandu nightlife](/blog/kathmandu-nightlife-guide). For something different, catch a festival procession.

## Frequently asked questions
### What is a madal?
A two-sided Nepali hand drum.

### What is dohori?
A sung question-and-answer duel.

### What is panche baja?
A traditional band of five instruments at weddings.

### Where can I hear Nepali folk music?
In dohori restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara.


Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/blog/nepali-music-and-dance