Kathmandu:

A special musical event was organised to mark the 36th birth anniversary of late tabla maestro Atul Gautam on January 23 by the Atul Smriti Pratisthan. The musical event titled ‘Taal Mhotsav’ held at Gurukul is a part of a three-day programme being organised in remembrance of Gautam.

Atul Gautam, a member of classical music group Sukarma, who had also performed in foreign countries, always worked for the uplift of classical music. There could be no better way to remember this talented tabla player than an evening of tabla performances. The event started with a video of Atul performing Mann ko chaal. Then his wife, Surikchita Gautam, presented Bhakti Sangeet. She started with her husband’s favourite — Gopi song.

Then four teenaged boys, who are students of Atul’s protégé, gave an enthralling tabla performance. There could have been no better tribute to a man who always wanted to involve the new generation in classical music. His teacher Hom Nath Upadhaya also performed in remembrance of his student.

Gautam always believed that classical music is part of our cultural heritage. Keeping this belief as their motto, Atul Smriti Pratisthan — a non-profit organisation — was established to preserve and promote classical music.

At the programme, Raghu Raj Wanta, a social worker handed over the papers of the land at Mulpani that he donated to Atul Smriti Pratisthan. A scholarship of Rs 24,000 in the name of his mother for female students (music studies) was also announced by him. Dhurbesh Chandra Regmi, sitar player of Sukarma, talked about the Atul Smriti fund of 1 lakh established by their group. He also presented a sum of another lakh rupees for the Atul Smriti Puraskar to be presented from next year to someone devoted to promoting classical music.

The packed Rimal theatre despite the chakka jam was proof of the manner in which Gautam had touch-ed people’s lives and hearts with his music. Providing meal to the poor and a rally is also being organised. A seven-day long maha yagya is also being organised at the Janaki Jeevan Kunj in memory of Gautam.