In a country where earthquakes are a constant threat, a geophysicist is using an unconventional method to spread awareness—through folk music. Shiba Subedi, a scientist and singer, is blending his passion for music with his expertise in earthquake preparedness to educate communities across Nepal.
A Passion for Folk Music and Science
Born and raised in Jaljala, a remote village in western Nepal, Subedi displayed a strong interest in academics and extracurricular activities from an early age. He excelled in debates, essay competitions, and poetry. However, his true passion lay in Nepal’s folk melodies.
Subedi moved to Pokhara to pursue a two-year science degree at Prithvi Narayan Campus. While focusing on academics, he also immersed himself in the local folk music scene, performing at bars and honing his musical skills. His father initially disapproved, fearing that music would derail his professional aspirations. But after Subedi gained national recognition in 2009, earning nearly 200,000 Nepalese rupees (approximately USD 2,700 at the time), his father’s concerns faded.
A Turning Point: The 2015 Earthquake
Subedi’s life took a dramatic turn in April 2015 when a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people. He was at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu when he witnessed a tragic incident—a university gate collapsing onto a car, killing the person inside.
The disaster deeply impacted him. He heard heartbreaking stories of preventable deaths, like a teenage girl in Melamchi who, misinformed, ran back into her house to take cover under a table instead of staying in an open space. Determined to contribute to earthquake safety, he shifted his academic focus toward geophysics and earthquake preparedness.
Combining Science and Music for Awareness
Subedi pursued a second master’s degree in exploratory geophysics at the Paris Institute of Planetary Physics in 2016. He later connected with György Hetényi, a geophysicist at the University of Lausanne, to pursue a PhD in educational seismology. Recognizing Nepal’s lack of earthquake education in schools, Subedi and Hetényi co-founded the Seismology at School in Nepal campaign. The initiative teaches students and teachers how to use earthquake sensors and understand seismic activity.
While initially keeping his musical career separate, Subedi eventually saw an opportunity to merge his two passions. Inspired by the effectiveness of folk music in Nepalese culture, he composed a song to teach earthquake preparedness in a simple and engaging way.
Spreading Awareness Through Song
At first, Subedi was skeptical about using music for scientific awareness. “I thought earthquakes weren’t a topic for a song,” he admitted. But Hetényi encouraged him, pointing out how deeply people connected with folk melodies during community events.
Writing the song proved challenging. “How do you explain plate tectonics to people who have no formal education?” Subedi wondered. To ensure accessibility, he used relatable metaphors instead of scientific jargon. The lyrics emphasize key safety messages, such as:
To this day, science cannot predict when or how big an earthquake will be, or exactly where it will strike.
Just as you learn A-B-C, everyone can learn how to prepare to survive an earthquake.
Subedi and his team created a music video set in a school, hoping to engage students and encourage them to share the message with their families. The video highlights essential topics, including the causes of earthquakes, the importance of earthquake-resistant homes, and emergency preparedness steps.
Community Impact and Recognition
The campaign has gained traction across Nepal. Shreedhar Dhakal, a science teacher at Shree Shiva Secondary School in Kawasoti, recalls that parents initially questioned the need for earthquake drills. However, over time, they recognized the importance of preparedness, thanks to Subedi’s innovative approach.
Subedi’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. In November, he received the Judges’ Commendation in the John Maddox Prize, an award given by the London-based organization Sense about Science and Nature for promoting scientific evidence.
Expanding Earthquake Education
Subedi continues to work at the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology in Lalitpur, where he conducts earthquake monitoring and awareness programs. He plans to expand his outreach efforts by producing more songs and videos in different regional languages to reach a broader audience.
His unique blend of science and music is not just educating people—it’s saving lives. As Nepal remains vulnerable to earthquakes, his efforts offer a creative and effective way to prepare communities for future disasters.
