KATHMANDU: Popular folk-rock band Nepathya has collected over Rs 4 million for the earthquake relief.

The Nepali band contributed Rs 1 million from its pocket while the rest of the money  was collected from the charity concerts in foreign countries.

The band was touring in Australia when the massive earthquake struck Nepal on April 25.

Earlier on April 30, Nepathya had pledged Rs 0.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, and deposited the amount on May 11.

About to go on stage with a heavy heart. कलाकारको जीवन... pic.twitter.com/cc2gQwtK2m

— Amrit Gurung (@amritnepathya) April 26, 2015

We pledge 5Lakh to #PrimeMinisterReliefFund.We dedicate our May shows to raise awareness n fund 4 this cause #MusicForNepalEarthQuakeRelief— NEPATHYA (@nepathya_band) April 30, 2015

The band performed in Melbourne on April 26 as per the schedule.

It then returned to Nepal briefly and went to Tokyo, Japan, and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates in May for the pre-scheduled concerts that were used for earthquake awareness and fund-raising.

Recalling the moments when he heard of the news of devastating earthquake back home, Nepathya frontman Amrit Gurung said the band "even thought of cancelling the show". 

"But later we decided to move on. Looking back at the decision we made, we feel cancelling would have been an easy solution,” Gurung said, adding, "We decided to move on with all shows lined up for May in Tokyo and Dubai as well, and use it as an opportunity to generate awareness and funds for the national disaster.”

Nepathya deposited an additional Rs o.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund after returning from Dubai.

Also, the organisers of the show in Japan, Tamu Dhin, contributed all the proceedings to the earthquake relief.

It sent Rs 100,000 to NRN Japan fund, Rs 200,000 for rebuilding the Dhading-based Dhuseni Primary School school, and Rs 100,000  for Gorkha-based Sheetal Danda Primary School.

The remaining fund of Rs 1.1 million will be used as a seed money to support and sponsor children orphaned by earthquake, according to Amar Gurung of Tamu Dhin, Japan.