In Jazz didi´s memory

KRITA RAUT

KATHMANDU: She would have been right there sitting at the front, not moving from there and encouraging all the artistes,” Tsering Choden, independent filmmaker and someone who knew late Vidhea Shrestha very well said about the Music, Art and Healing, a charity event held in memory of late Shrestha at Moksh on December 18.

“There are things that she loved in life like music and art, I am sure wherever she is she must be very proud of her son for putting this event together,” shared Choden.

With an amazing variety of line-up for the live music on stage, artist Krishna Thing busy bringing out shapes with colour on a white canvas and friends and family of late Shrestha gathered to remember her and support a noble cause, the whole ambience of the venue was spirited — despite the cold weather — just like the lady for whom it was dedicated to.

While bands like Garima and Mukut, Dinesh and Sound Minds, JCS Trio with Meretha, Abhaya and the Steam Injuns, Kutumba, 1974 AD and artist Guru Dev Kamat provided musical tributes, poet Viplob Pratik dedicated a poem to Shrestha. The ensemble performance of slam poetry by Lyrics Inthependense along with Nishant’s beep box added a different musical and lyrical touch to the atmosphere.

Each artiste had memories and words of inspiration from Shrestha also known as Jazz didi to share with the audience. “I once performed Proud Mary by Tina Turner at an event and she came to me later and told me ‘When I heard you sing, I wanted to come and join you’,” shared Garima Gurung Shah, who sang Wild Night by Van Morrison, which was one of Shrestha’s favourites.

“It did start off as a tribute to my mother, but now it is a charity event where the proceeds of the event is being donated to the cancer section for children at B and B hospital,” informed her son Yanik.

Sharing his idea to make it an annual event he said, “I can see most of her and my friends out here coming to support this cause and I hope strangers will also come and support this cause.” He handed over the cheque to Dr Rajendra Baral, oncologist at the hospital, who was also looking after her.

“It is not about your contribution but about your commitment to fight this disease,” said Dr Baral who discouraged everyone against cigarette and tobacco in his own poetic way. Remembering Shrestha he said, “Vidhea was the boldest women I have ever seen. What impressed me most about her was her positive attitude and eagerness to know about this disease even when she was going through the worst of times.”

And everyone got to know what exactly Dr Baral meant in the short video film about her created by Venessa H Smith.