Kathmandu:

Valley denizens will be getting a treat of devotional music with Indian and Nepali artistes at Kailash, Pashupati Area, on 23 February. Renowned Indian singer Anuradha Poudwal will be mesmerising her listeners along with Nepali artistes like noted singers Batuk Raj Mishra and Nupur Bhattacharya and International Society for Krishna Consciousness members at the second Bhakti Sangeet Utsav. Tabla maestro Hom Nath Upadhyay will also show his musical dexterity along with his young ensemble.

“It is my good luck to be able to come here to sing in Pashupati area,” Poudwal shared at a press meet organised at Hotel Shangri-la on February 22. “My first devotional song album was launched in an international religious convention in Kathmandu by Shri Shankaracharya,” she added. She had visited Nepal in 1995 and used to sing Bollywood songs prior to her shift to devotional music. “This event is a very beautiful initiative to bring together devotional singers and musicians together. I wish it all the success,” she added.

“I hope a positive message goes to society from the devotional music,” shared Mishra. Dr Bhattacharya also expressed her happiness at Poudwal coming to Nepal. The first Bhakti Sangeet Utsav was organised last year, the success of which urged the organisers to pursue the initiative further.

“For this time, we requested Ms Poudwal, which she kindly consented,” said Gopal Bagley, Counselor, Indian Embassy, which is jointly organising the programme with the Indian Cultural Centre and BP Koirala Nepal-India Foundation.

“Not only elderly people, but also young people came and enjoyed at the programme last year,” said Prasannata Madaan, general Manager, Kaal Bhairav Event and Management, which is behind the concept and managing the event. The Himalayan Times is the official newspaper for the event, which will also be shown live on Image Channel and played live on FM Adhyatma Jyoti 104.8 Mega Hertz.

The programme is scheduled to commence at 10:00 am and go on till 4:00 pm.