KATHMANDU:

The inner courtyard of Accheswor Mahavihar, Pulchowk, was a place to be on the evening of November 20. The spiritual place saw an entertaining candlelight concert ‘Shanti Utsav’ (Peace Festival), with Milan Tandukar on jal taranga and violin, Bobin Bajracharya on vocals and guitar, Milesh Tandukar on tabla, and Alok Maskey on bass guitar.

Big candles lit the stage while diyos graced the edges of the Mahavihar’s entrance and inner circumambulatory passage. The candles were made and lit for peace by a Japanese national, ‘Candle’ June, as he wants to call himself.

“Being born in Japan, I have heard stories the atomic bombs and various wars. Then I had this inner wish to pray that there are no fights and wars between people,” June shared. Starting from Hiroshima, Japan, he has already lit candles in various countries, like the US, England, Afghanistan, Cambodia and China.

The programme began with an impromptu 35-minute Raag Chandrakosh by the Tandukar duo. A soulful solo in English, Newari and Nepali followed by Japan-based Bajracharya. His last “slow” song on life was quite touching.

The fusion-jam up in the end by all artistes gave a truly enthralling finish to the programme.

Candles made by street children were also on sale, the proceeds of which will go for benefit of street children. “We wish for peace through this concert, a peace of mind,” said Prakash

Rajbhandary, president of Japan-Return Students’ Alumni, the event organiser. — HNS