Kathmandu

Poonam Rana was at nepa~laya’s ‘r’ sala on June 30 for the Paleti Series. And her sole purpose to be there was Darjeeling’s singer-composer Shanti Thatal who was performing there for the fifth time.

Rana, 64, said she grew up soaked in the environment that Thatal created through her music and lyrics. “Just her name evokes lots of memories, emotions and make me nostalgic,” said Rana.

Samhalera Rakha is her favourite. She said that listening to the song in 2016 during a road trip in America, “I drifted to my youth. The environment was such that I felt I was in Nepal.”

Rana feels that anyone can relate to Thatal’s songs.

The song is also a favourite of 66-year-old Krishna Manandhar. He, who has been listening to Thatal and other Darjeeling artistes since his school days, had come with his wife Laxmi Manandhar to listen to Thatal.

“Her voice has a melody and it creates an ambience which makes you want to listen to it again and again,” he cited.

As Thatal had come all the way from Darjeeling he thought, “I shouldn’t miss it.” Prior to the event, they were listening to her songs on YouTube. But “listening to her perform live is different”, he added.

Sita Thapa believes it may be Thatal’s last performance here and also may be theirs too — to listen to her. “So I wanted to listen to her performance,” this 77-year old attendee revealed.

Thatal responded to the love of such an audience and their zest to come and listen to her for her participation at the event. As such she was happy.

Thatal’s new and old songs were catered to the crowd like Aama, Mero Katha Khali Khali to name a few by Paleti singer Meena Niraula, and Sonu Rai from Darjeeling.

Their favourite song Samhalera Rakha was performed by Niraula, while 79-year old Thatal played the harmonium.

Samhalera Rakha is a creation of late legendary musician Amber Gurung. Thatal also revealed how Gurung had created a different tune of the song and gave a rendition of a piece of that tune to the audience. Likewise other tales of her songs and compositions also unravelled at this musical evening.