KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 7

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, Nepal's celebrated international jazz festival, continues to bring together musicians from around the world while spotlighting homegrown talent that bridges heritage and innovation. According to the official Jazzmandu website, this year's festival features two of Nepal's most compelling voices: classical vocalist Jonisha Poudel and the folk fusion collective Samundra Band. Their performances promise to showcase the country's rich musical traditions in harmony with the improvisational spirit of jazz.

A rising star in the world of khayal, the preeminent genre of Hindustani classical music, Jonisha Poudel has earned acclaim for her deep, expressive voice and rigorous training. She studied under Shree K.C., one of Nepal's most respected khayal and dhrupad vocalists, and further honed her skills with Pt. Vishnu Acharya, the renowned Nepali dhrupad singer, and India's celebrated vocalist Pt. Rajeshwor Acharya. Her artistry has already graced major stages, including a solo concert in 2017 organised by the Sanskritik Sansthan (National Cultural Corporation), affirming her place as one of Nepal's most promising young classical performers.

Complementing her classical depth is the lively and culturally rooted Samundra Band, a group that has built a reputation for blending Nepali folk traditions with contemporary fusion. Led by Anil Gandharba, a skilled sarangi player dedicated to preserving the Gandharba musical heritage, the band's performances highlight the versatility and beauty of the sarangi. Through their widely followed YouTube channel, Samundra Band Nepal shares hiking performances, lessons on sarangi playing, and intimate sessions in Gandharba villages, keeping the country's folk traditions vibrant and accessible to new generations.

Audiences can experience both these artists at 'Jazz at Patan', scheduled for October 14 at Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, where the ancient setting of Patan will serve as the backdrop for an evening of Nepali classical music fused with jazz. The concert promises to be one of the festival's most evocative events, bringing together the soaring improvisations of Jonisha Poudel's khayal vocals and the earthy, resonant tones of the sarangi in Samundra Band's folk fusion.

Their performances embody the essence of Jazzmandu's mission, weaving the threads of Nepal's rich musical traditions into the global tapestry of jazz. With their shared commitment to preserving heritage while embracing innovation, Jonisha Poudel and Samundra Band will offer festivalgoers a chance to hear Nepal's musical roots in a new and inspiring light.