Project Sarangi’s Founder and Director, Kiran Nepali, collaborated with the Playing for Change Foundation (PFCF) to launch the Mitrata Music Program in 2013, a transformative music education initiative for underprivileged children at Mitrata Nepal Foundation in Kathmandu. This program is rooted in the belief that music is not only a tool for expression and healing, but also a means to empower and create economic pathways for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Founded in 2000 by Nanda Kulu, Mitrata Nepal Foundation is a home for over 100 children, offering shelter, medical care, education, and emotional support. True to its name—Mitrata, meaning “friendship” in Nepali—the foundation was born from a dream to provide underprivileged children with the chance to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives.
In collaboration with PFCF, the Mitrata Music Program introduced traditional instruments like the sarangi, madal, flute, and harmonium to the children. These instruments were procured with the support of PFCF and have since become integral to the children’s weekend routines. These classes not only nurtured a love for music but have also created a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to connect with their cultural heritage and express themselves creatively.
What makes this initiative truly powerful is its long-term impact. One of the students from this very orphanage has now become a sarangi teacher—a living testament to the program’s ability to pave sustainable economic pathways for the children it serves. Through consistent mentorship and exposure to traditional music, this student not only mastered the art of playing the sarangi but also transitioned into a leadership and teaching role, inspiring a new generation of learners.
Kiran’s personal connection to the sarangi runs deep. Before founding Project Sarangi, he spent four intensive weeks in Batulechaur, a historic Gandharva settlement near Pokhara, to study the sarangi from its traditional roots. His journey, combined with his commitment to social impact, has shaped the Mitrata Music Program into a platform that offers both cultural preservation and tangible life opportunities.
The Mitrata Music Program is more than an extracurricular activity—it is a gateway to self-discovery, economic empowerment, and cultural pride. It demonstrates how, through the universal language of music, children can reclaim agency over their futures and become stewards of Nepal’s rich musical traditions.