Kathmandu On January 25 Nepal lost a music legend Panna Kaji Shakya. Panna Kaji was born on January 8, 1932 in Ombahal and raised there. He was interested in music since his childhood. His father Chatur Man Shakya used to sing bhajans and was an inspiration for the son to follow music. 'In the beginning, he used to sing bhajans,' informed Prabesh Man Shakya, Panna Kaji’s second son. The legacy of music has continued in the family with sons Prabesh and Pabitra Man having contributed to the Nepali music too. 'His dedication to and passion for music led him to become one of the prominent singers of the country. He was so dedicated that he never missed reeyaz,' informed Prabesh Man. The veteran singer-composer was 86 when he breathed his last at his residence in Tahachal. 'We had just held his janku (a celebration performed when a person from Newar community reaches a certain age) just a month earlier,' shared Prabesh Man. Panna Kaji is famous for Tiriri Murali Bajyo. He composed songs like Kina Kina Timro Tasbir, Lolaeka Ti Thula Timra Dui Najarle, Jati Heryo Uti Ramri, Hajur Lai Sumpeko Yo Dil Pani, among others. He sang over 300 songs. Life in theatre Panna Kaji was not only involved in the musical industry. He was also well known for his acting. In the olden days when there were no female artistes in theatre, male actors used to perform the role of the females. In a play  Kunaal written and directed by Parmananda Bajracharya, Panna Kaji acted in the role of a female in 1947. 'The play was a satire against the rulers in the country. The rulers should be one of the citizens. They should understand the problems of citizens rather than just being dictators. There used to be a dabali — where plays were staged. As the play was against the Rana rulers, only three shows were staged. Police came to catch the artistes,' informed Pavitra Bajracharya, the eldest son of Parmananda. Panna Kaji had also acted in a Newari play Bisantar Ya Machadaan during the Rana Regime in the role of a king. This play was staged in public places and even in the royal palace, as per Prabesh Man. Not only a good actor and musician, Panna Kaji was a good friend sharing harmonious relationship with his friends such as Daya Ram Bhakta Mathema, Parmananda, among others. Musical journey Panna Kaji went to Radio Nepal in 1951 and worked there in the library section. He was a great fan of Talat Mahmood — Indian non-classical and semi-classical singer. While working in Radio Nepal, he sang numerous songs. 'More than 200 of his songs are there in its store. They aren't brought out,' informed Prabesh Man. Panna Kaji used to sing live on radio. He had sung a duet — Manma Timro — with Dil Maya Khati. He also sang songs written by MBB Shah, Ratna Shumsher Thapa, Kamal Pradhan, Ramesh Bikal, Krishna Hari Baral, among others. Shiva Shankar, CK Rasaili, Nati Kaji et cetera have given music to his songs. His musical albums The Legend of Panna Kaji Kasari Ma Birshu Unilai, Bhajan Kirtan Sadhak Gayak: Panna Kaji, and Legends of Panna Kaji Aafno Sansar have also been released. 'I am also planning to release some of his unheard songs in a new album,' revealed Prabesh Man who is taking care of all the 'musical properties' of Panna Kaji. Prabesh Man has preserved all notebooks of his father where the late musician had penned down the poems and lyrics given to him by lyricists. Showing one of the notebooks he added, 'This is how my father stylistically wrote his name. I have never seen his name written in such a style.' He has also preserved discs that were recorded in Calcutta.  There is also a gramophone preserved in their home. Prabesh Man also has preserved a song Ma Suki Sakeko that hasn’t been released anywhere yet. 'I am planning to release album(s) of my father’s songs,' Prabesh Man added. Prabesh Man is in music because of his father. 'When I sang father’s Tiriri Murali Bajyo he appreciated it saying that I had sung it more openly than him,' revealed Prabesh Man. ''You don't need to sing more songs, you need to sing quality songs', he used to tell me,' he shared. Awards For his contribution to music Panna Kaji was conferred with various awards at different times of his life. He won the gold medal in Aadhunik Geet Gayan (1966). He was also the recipient of Gorakha Dakshin Baahu (Vth) in 1983; Subha Rajyabhishek Padak and Dirgha Sewa Padak were also conferred on him. When music legends Natikaji and Narayan Gopal passed away and their bodies were kept for final tributes for the public, Panna Kaji was quite frustrated at the scenario. Some people were passing time talking with one another, while some were laughing and talking at the condolence venue. He found the tribute to be more of a jatra than a condolence gathering. This is why he wanted his final rites to be performed away from the limelight. And as per his wish, Panna Kaji was cremated silently in Teku, Pachali. Political career Many people might not know about the political career of Panna Kaji. He was interested in politics and was involved in several political movements. He was arrested in 1962 for being involved in politics. Pavitra, whose father Parmananda was a contemporary of Panna Kaji, remembers the political life of these two people. 'They were interested in politics as they were much influenced by the Nepal Praja Parishad — one of the political organisations in the country. They were involved in anti-Rana movements then,' revealed Pavitra. Courageous in nature Prabesh Man recalls his days with his father during the earthquake. During the April 25, 2015 earthquake, his father was in his room in their house in Ombahal. During the earthquake Panna Kaji stayed in his room even when his family members had already fled outside. 'When I came out of the building after the earthquake, I didn't see my father. When I asked others about father’s whereabouts, they said he was still upstairs. I immediately went up. There he was, silently sitting. He was courageous and never afraid of natural disasters. When he saw the devastation around, he wanted to see the areas around. So, he and I went around the City,' Prabesh Man recalled. 'He was also a wrestler. He used to have bouts with many people at the same time. He regularly did push-ups and exercised too. He used to walk up to Swoyambhu and come home buying vegetables necessary for the particular day,' revealed Prabesh Man.