a composer, and an equally gifted lyricist and singer

Kathmandu :

When he was born, pandits named him Sikandar (king/emperor), and he lived up to validate his name. Yes, we are talking about the sikandar of Nepali music world — Gopal Yonzon. On August 9, some Yonzon admirers had gathered at Madhurima Kala Kendra to mark his birth anniversary that falls on the Janaipurnima day.

The gathering saw the presence of people of all generations — his contemporaries, followers and youth curious to know him both as a person and a music personality as his contemporaries shared their personal and professional memories with those gathered.

A prolific composer, Yonzon was an equally gifted lyricist and singer. From songs for children to those with national sentiments or Nepali aadhunik (modern) songs, his timeless creations have always mesmerised Nepali listeners.

At the programme, Yonzon’s eldest son Nirvan performed his father’s Kaha paryo purba. Also at the programme, fund raised from a programme held earlier at the City Hall for the treatment of Sanu Pahadi, student of Madhurima Kala Kendra, was handed to her. The cheque enclosed an amount of Rs 1,50,000. Both of Pahadi’s kidneys are damaged.