Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

On the occasion of the ninth death anniversary of composer, songwriter and singer

Gopal Yonzan, an album comprising compositions and lyrics by Yonzan and beautifully sung by the late Narayan Gopal, ‘Mitjyu’ was released by Music Nepal at Anamnagar on May 19. Poets Ishwor Ballav and Nagendra Thapa were the chief guests of the programme.

Yonzan and Narayan Gopal are the two historical names in the horizon of Nepali music — names famous not only professionally but also at a personal level. They were ‘Mitjyu’ for each other, a word in Nepali for very dear friends who announce it formally among many people. These songs were recorded sometime in the 1960s by Radio Nepal and were lying in the library until they were collected and documented by Music Nepal to be published as an album for Nepali listeners.

Poet Ishwar Ballav said, “Yonzan was loved by many even in Sikkim and Darjeeling.” Songwriter Nagendra Thapa, who brought Yonzan from his home in Darjeeling to Nepal, said, “Although, his writings are few, they are very impressive. His songs are whole even when unaccompanied by music.”

Renchin, wife of the late lyricist, said, “Music Nepal has been organising old records of songs lying in the library of Radio Nepal.” Tears were seen in listeners’ eyes when Yonzan’s song, “Jiban Dekhi Dherai Dherai Nai Thakera, Ma Murda Bhayeko Timi Aja Hera” was played during the programme.