Nepal's musicians retune to tradition with modern note

KATHMANDU - Nepal's musical heritage is enjoying a revival as young musicians fuse the sounds of traditional instruments once at risk of disappearing with lyrics that examine the modern challenges facing the country.

The Himalayan country has a rich folk tradition, but its unusual traditional instruments - which include a leaf from a native tree that is played like a harmonica - were dying out as younger generations moved toward Western music styles.

That was until bands such as Night, which formed in 2006 as a metal group, decided to create a modern take on its indigenous music.