This week I am listening to the song “Jasto Timro Chhitiz” from my mother Susan Maskey’s album “Swor Shraddhanjali,” a tribute to Nepali writer, poet, and activist Parijat, encompassing her incredibly thought provoking poetry interpreted as songs. This album takes me back to many of my childhood memories, and it is perhaps one of my favourite albums ever released by my mother. My mother’s contributions to Nepali music, literature, and journalism are what I got to pull inspiration from at a very young age. As a young Nepali woman figuring out her space in this big and intimidating world, I could not have asked for a better role model and someone to pave my footsteps behind.
At a very young age, I witnessed my mother voice her intellect in support of women’s liberation by co-establishing Asmita Magazine in 1988. One of the very first of its kind in Nepal, Asmita continues its activism for women's empowerment, gender equality, human rights & inclusive democracy.
In addition to her contribution to the early feminist movement in Nepal, I witnessed my mother’s commitment to her music and her art in the purest sense possible. I have memories of attending her studio recording sessions as a kid and numerous Guru Purnimas spent under the tutelage of the late Amber Gurung Sir. I experienced attending her choir sessions and album launches and screaming her name really loudly as I sat in the audience as a little baccha 🐣, so proud to see my mama on stage.
I will be releasing more sessions with my mother on my YouTube channel very soon, until then please stay tuned. #aamachhori. In the meantime, I’m wrapping up my final session here for the “songs that made me” reels. It has been a very meaningful journey down memory lane, filled with deep introspection. Thank you for going on this ride with me 🌊.
Written by Parijat, musically composed by Rayan, and arranged by Sharad Gurung, here’s my rendition of my mother Susan Maskey’s song “Jasto Timro Chhitiz” from the album “Swor Shraddhanjali”.
#parijat #susanmaskey #sworshraddhanjali #mothersday #songsthatmademe
Listen to Swor Shraddhanjali here:
