KATHMANDU, Aug 26: The August session of Paleti began with Singer Meena Niraula singing songs of writers Bairagi Kaila and Manjul.
After the song, composer Aavaas said, “the current generation Meena singing songs from writers of our earlier generation symbolizes the link Paleti has been building between generations of musicians.” The duo then went on to perform two songs from Mahakabi Laxmi Prasad Devkota.
Recalling the earlier Paleti session, Aavaas shared, “During that Paleti I was under pressure to compose several songs and these two were composed within the same week.” He further recalled, “I remember Devkota’s son Padam Devkota and Kamal Mani Dixit had shared valuable memories of the late poet. Now that our beloved ‘Dadajee’ Kamal Mani is not with us, I remember him for the love, encouragement and blessings he bestowed on Paleti.”
Meena Niraula comes from Manipur, India and is married in Nepal. It was through a Manipuri Nepali Singer Santanu Kumar Limbu, Meena was introduced to Paleti. Since then, Meena has been affiliated with Paleti and has performed with stalwart composers and poets of Nepali Adhunik like Amber Gurung, Shanti Thatal, Karma Yonzon, Ratna Shamsher Thapa, Premdhoj Pradhan, Dinesh Adhikari amongst many. However, the august Paleti was Meena’s first solo Paleti. “Meena has been supporting other musicians in the past and today I am here to support Meena. Meena is the main performer for tonight and I feel proud to say she has attained mass popularity.” Aavaas said. “Today she is more popular than me,” he laughed.
Meena instantaneously said, “More than popularity, I am indebted to the love and blessing from musicians like Aavaas dai and the Paleti audience.”
The show then moved on to another phase, where half a dozen of poet Shrawan Mukarung’s poem was being performed. The later part of the show had lighter moments but also songs that were captivating:
August session of ‘Paleti’ with Meena and Aavaas
Baba Malai Marnai cha Bhane
Timi Aafai Mara
Ago le Jalai Binti Namara
Manchelai jiuna chahincha Ago
Agolai Yasari bitulo Napara
As Meena performed this song, there were many moist eyes in the audience. The singer herself almost chocked as she sang, but she carefully regained her posture.
“Meena is a popular singer and should have been busy with all the trade festivals happening in various districts. However, she preferred to come to Paleti, this is the sign of a true artist,” Said Poet Shrawan. He further said, “We have grown up listening to singers and composers like Narayan Gopal, Amber Gurung and Gopal Yonzon, who depended on quality lyrics from poets like Hari Bhakta Katuwal and Bhupi Sherchan.
That is now a thing of the past and such things are rare these days. Nowadays, relationship between musicians, singers and writers have become more commercial,” he shared. “However, Aavaas is amongst the few musicians, who understand the value and power of a good poetry. He pursues poets and finds them,” he said.
Later, Aavaas provided a peek into his latest creation. Aavaas’s new project with Singer Meena Niraula and Benuka Rai has produced several Nepali nursery and numeric rhymes. A package for children songs have also been produced and is likely to be released soon. “I have done my job and handed it over to Publication nepa-laya. They are working on a multi-media package including audio-visual and publications.” Aavaas revealed.
The show ended with a children song:
Dugura Dugur Kuhira Dugur Dugur
Dugur Dugur Ye Kuhira Tero Gharma Chor Pasyo
Mathi Aakas Khulla Cha
Ta Kina Aja Bhui Basyo
Aavaas and Meena were accompanied on stage by Suraj Pradhan on Guitars, Dinesh Regmi on keyboard, Buddha Lama on flutes, Sundar Maharjan on percussion and Sandesh Maharjan on Tabala.
