Kathmandu:

The maestros and aficionados of classical music in the Valley found a common place to be on the cool evening of May 16 — the inner courtyard of Yala Maya Kendra.

The first anniversary celebrations of Yala Maya Classic kicked off with young artistes Suresh Shrestha on flute performing with Manoj Gautam on tabla, assisted by Januka Shrestha on tanpura. The stage was then set for the absorbing performance by Dr Dhurbesh C Regmi on sitar Navaraj Gurung on tabla.

Among others, the masters played Raag Hemanta, and later, assisted by a young ensemble, a piece celebrating the Classic’s anniversary. Away from the hubbub of the city, with birds twittering in the evening sky, and the leaves on trees being kissed by the gentle breeze, the ambience was well suited for a great classical evening.

National Poet Madhav Prasad Ghimire graced the occasion as chief guest. He congratulated the organisers for the initiative. Dr Regmi opined that the anniversary was particularly laudable given the difficulty in the present context to sustain such an initiative.

The audience also got to enjoy a painting exhibition titled ‘Shangri-la ka Durlav Bajaharu’ (Shangri-la’s rare musical instruments) by flautist and painter Sunil Pariyar.