By Usha Wagle Gautam

A group of nonresident Nepalese artists in Doha entertained a crowd of music enthusiasts at Quality Hypermarket on Salwa Road this Friday.

The programme was organised by Ishwor and Sapana Kafle, patrons of Bashanta Films, and was the first of its kind to solely feature nonresident Nepalese artists based in Doha. Entry to the programme was free. During the show — co-ordinated by Sarad Kumar Karki of Bashanta Films — singers including Ramila Neupane and Shirish Devkota performed their hit numbers.

Journalists Rabi Roshi, Khagendra Karki, Chirinjivi Timilsina, Rajeshwor Dhakal, Sita Ram Thapa, Nabaraj BK, Ghanshyam Parajuli and Shanta Banjan were also felicitated on the occasion for their contributions to the promotion of Nepalese arts and culture. Nonresident Nepalese leader TB Karki distributed rewards and certificates to the journalists.

The programme started with the performance of folk singer Rama Aryal. Aryal sang songs from her studio album Gantabya (Destination). Her songs dealt with patriotism, melancholy and emotions.

Madhu Lama performed the song Timilai Bhulna Sakdina (I can’t forget you).

Then a group of Nepalese artists performed a 20-minute-long folk instrumental. Rym L Lama was on the harmonium, Babin Rai on tabala, Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai on percussion, Subash Bashnet and Madhu Lama on guitar, and Ram Rana Magar on flute.

The instrumental team also played the background music to a comic play staged during the programme about a native pub of Nepal. The play ‘Deurali Bhatti Pasalma’ (In a Pub) featured Indira Shah as the pub proprietor and Bamdev Bhatt as a daily customer.

After the main attractions, folk singer Ramila Neupane performed five of her songs. In between each performance, she cracked jokes, making the audience laugh out loud. She also talked about her first performance in Qatar six years ago, which she said was held at a full stadium.

Singer Shirish Devkota performed seven songs back-to-back. Devkota, who is the secretary of National Folk and Duet Songs Academy (NFDSA), hailed Nepalese singers in Doha and praised their talents and hinted that NFDSA is ready to register its branches in 10 countries, including Qatar.

Comedian Suresh BC performed his one-man act about the differences between a remote village and a bustling metropolitan.

Singers Dol Raj Pariyar, Kabita Tamang, Madhu Sudhan Dangi, Sambhu Ghising, Sandesh Sharma, Ram Prasad Khanal, Dhruba BC, Amrit Limbu, Bhim Lama, Sandesh Poudel, Arjun Kharel, Dev Neupane, Rajendra Mohara, Jyoti Gurung, Jitman BC, Rit Bahadur Shrestha, Sarad Pandey and Mohan Shailo also performed their songs. Likewise, Lucky Bista, Suraj Lama, Yubraj Oli, Bikram Budhathoki and Obi Rayamajhi danced during the programme.

Pradip Ghimire, who had come from Al Khor, said that the programme was interesting except for the guests, who get repeated in each and every programme held by nonresident Nepalese groups in Qatar. Ambika Bista, Radhika Malla and Swastika Thapa in the audience complained about the unequal number of performances by female artists as compared to male artists.

The programme was hosted by Dev Timilsina and Ramesh Darnal. Nonresident Nepalese organisations Gulmi Welfare Society, Palpa Welfare Society, Arghakhachi Welfare Society and Thakuri Help Network supported the programme.

 

 

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