Raining applause soaks NAFA

KATHMANDU: No sooner had the members of Sukarma began playing their instruments, everyone present at Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) Hall, Bal Mandir was mesmerised by the shifting melodies and moods. The programme organised by Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) with a view to promote cultural understanding and discourse between Nepal and India on October 22 was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood.

Immersed into the musical ambience, Sukarma began the musical journey which had the audience applauding. Dr Dhrubesh Chandra Regmi shared, "Music should not merely be considered as a means of pleasure rather it should also be taken as a tool to convey a message," adding that the musical piece did the same.

Fusion from Kathmandu Valley was another instrumental with traditional Newari musical flavour, which was well appreciated by the audience.

Similarly, the band depicted the emotions of life through Struggle, which made everyone feel the excitement and sorrows of life through music. Moreover, the movements of their fingers and their facial expressions throughout the event were interesting to watch.

With a bit of folk tunes and bhajans, Blues Harmonica was another astonishing piece, with fluctuation of high and low tunes. Finally, they performed Morning in Delf, a slow melodious piece as the concluding piece.

However, they could not end with it as the audience requested them to perform some more instrumentals.

Following the request, the band added more charm in the evening through a fusion of folk and classical music in old Nepali songs like Bhaisi ladyo hai maya, Ma ta kalo rail ko dhuwa le and Sanguri paarini tyo dhara paani along with some others.

ICC also informed that it will be organising programmes weekly, fortnightly and a week long festival annually in the future.