KATHMANDU, APRIL 15

Nepal's famous folk-rock band, Nepathya, celebrated new year with audiences in style at Damak concert.

After two years of Covid-imposed hibernation, the band started the year with a mesmerizing performance on the premises of Saraswati Secondary School on Thursday evening.

As the band stepped on to the stage, the crowd erupted in roar after seeing their idols after a hiatus of years, then the band's lead singer Amrit Gurung greeted audiences with a message of 'Happy New Year 2079'.

Reminiscing past experiences of Eastern Nepal, Gurung started the show with hit number 'Koshi ko pani yo jindagani', collected from Dalle Damai native of Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha district, during his trek in the area.

Band also entertained the crowd with smashing hit numbers including 'Bheda ko uun jasto', 'chekyo chekyo', 'lampati surati', 'chari maryo', 'jomsomai bazaar', all songs collected from Langtang area, informed Gurung.

While captivating the audiences, Gurung urged them to explore and understand Nepal as well.

Keeping in mind the upcoming election, Gurung also shared that it was imperative to develop positive feeling rather than indulging in discussion on the prevalent issues in the country.

Band's lead singer and social activist Amrit Gurung also shared his happiness on seeing the transformation that the city had undergone during two decades, referring to band's 'Peace Concert' in Damak where there was not a single hotel to accommodate them during their visit.

With crowd on their side, band also entertained them with their new song.

'Lekaiko laliguran, kali kali kesh lai'

'Saili mori lai'

'Pakhai ko chiso batas, dali dali ful lai'

'Saili mori lai'

Gurung said he arranged this poem into a song after seeing mountain blanketed by red rhododendron while trekking around Okhaldhunga district a decade earlier, touched by the poem composed by Mangul in his teens which was later published in the form of book.

As the concert went on, Nepathya enthralled audiences with their other hit numbers including 'Gaun Gaun bata utha', 'Himal chuchure', 'Taal ko pani', and patriotic song 'Rato ra Chandra Surya'.

Nepathya's fans from neighbouring Indian states of Sikkim, Manipur and adjourning districts and people from all walks of life came to grace the band's performance in Damak.

The concert was jointly organized in coordination with 'Nepali Torch' and 'Dhrubatara Sporting Club'.

As usual, Amrit was supported by Dhurba Lama on drums, Suraj Thapa on keyboards, Subin Shakya on bass guitar, Niraj Gurung on guitars and Shanti Raymajhi on madals.