Nepathya concert on Holi fills colours in HK-based Nepali diaspora

KATHMANDU: Nepalis living in Hong Kong swayed in the tunes of Nepathya as the popular Nepali folk-rock band performed at the Yuen Long Theatre there on Sunday, coinciding with the Nepali festival of Holi.

Nepathya front man Amrit Gurung greeted the audience during the show, “Today is Holi and I am here to play colours with you.”

The show was organised by Hong Kong-based Tamu Association, as part of their regular Rodi Sanjh.

The two-hour show had started with the band’s yet to be released song Kuroop Anuhar, penned by poet Sarubhakta and composed by Vikram Gurung more than three decades ago.

“Saru and I had made this song during our days at Kirtipur University. I am listening to it after a long time,” recalled Gurung.

“Though Nepathya has presented it in their own style, I could sense the feelings portrayed in their performance,” he added.

At a time when the generation gap was issue amidst Nepali diaspora there, the band presented itself as a bridge connecting all generations, Nepathya promoter Nepalaya informed in a statement today.

“The choice of entertainment is completely different for us and our children who are born here,” said Sher Bahadur Pun, a Hong Kong-based transportation entrepreneur, "My children prefer to speak Cantonese. Their choice of TV shows and music are different. While I struggle to connect them with Nepali culture, shows like Nepathya help ease my state of obscurity.”

The show had ended with a new song with a message of national unity:

Timi pani Nepali

Ma pani Nepali

Hami Nepali…

Gurung was accompanied by Dhruba Lama on drums, Suraj Thapa on keyboard, Subin Shakya on bass, Niraj Gurung on guitar and Shanti Rayamajhi on madal.