Debika KC reciting Deusi Vahilo at the programme.
By Usha Wagle Gautam
The last day of Nepal’s second biggest festival, Tihar was celebrated with a Musical programme. The International Artists’ Forum Qatar (IAF) organised the programme last Friday at Quality Hypermarket. More than 400 people attended.
Nepalese Film actress Keki Adhikari, Nepali folk singer Januki Tarami Magar, Debika KC and five other Doha-based Nepalese artistes performed at the programme.
Tihar’s fifth or last day is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters put the tika of five colours (yellow, green, red, blue, and white) on the foreheads of their brothers, as a prayer for their long lives and prosperity. They also offer their brothers dry fruits for blessings, and the brothers in turn give their sisters gifts and money. Brothers also put a Pancha Rangi Tika on their sisters’ foreheads and bow of their feet to promise them that they will protect them forever.
At the Friday’s event, the welcome song was about Tihar and performed by Nepalese Cultural Centre artists.
They were followed by Struggle band, which is the first established Nepali band in Qatar. Led by Santosh Pariyar, the band performed three contemporary songs.
Non Resident Nepali Star 2013 Birendra Shrestha performed a Deusi Vahilo song, as Nepali Cultural Centre’s artists supported her with their music.
Yubaraj Chantal performed a Nepali contemporary song.
A selo — core folk tunes of Tamang community — tune was performed by Srijana Tamang as she wore traditional choli, patuka, ghalek, lukgi, tiki and jantar.
Nepali film actress Keki Adhikari was the main attraction of the programme and performed three dances. Her fourth visit to Qatar, she said, “There is no drought of audience in Qatar, be it small venues, or large.”
Januki Tarami Magar, another guest from outside of Qatar, performed five of her own songs. She had also performed two months back, on the occasion of Teej. She praised the audience for the respect that they show to artistes. Magar is a veteran singer who has already recorded 300 songs and has toured over 15 countries.
The programme was chaired by IAF President Bhabindra Tamang and Non Resident Nepalese Association-International Coordination Committee Vice-President Bhawan Bhatta was the chief guest. The programme was supported by Nepalese Cultural Family, Nepali Cultural Center, Struggle Band, Helping Hand Youth Society, LG Group and UNI Dance Group. The compering was done by Bhabin Rai and
Debika KC.
