Venue: ‘r’ sala Theatre, Kathmandu
Date: January 30, 2008
“Today we have 72-year old YOUNG man singing for us,” master of ceremony Brajesh Khanal introduced music legend Phatteman at the ´r´ sala theatre of Nepa~laya on a Friday evening. [break]
Sporting a black Bhadgaunle cap and gray suit, the singer started with Kasto Maya Layiyechha. Two songs that he performed were what he claimed – the forgotten ones. Paleti coordinator Aavaash went through the Radio Nepal archives to look for some of the songs that were long-forgotten, even by the maestro himself.
Phatteman performed fourteen songs in total, some as old as 40 years and others as fresh as eight days. He started, his second solo concert, apologizing for the mistakes he might make in the evening, “even though quite an old man.” The small venue, with a little more than 100 audiences, remained thrilled with his powerful, husky voice for next 90 minutes.
And for that time, simplistic beats were leeched out, great rhythmic pulsation with strumming guitar that was backed by swaggering synthesizer drones, the whistle of flute, the beats of tabla and melodic rendition of violin, all just added to his singing and nothing more. In-house master of ceremony and coordinator of the Paleti music series Aavash took on harmonium, giving this act of music more seriousness and oopmh.
The 1969 composition of Natikazi, Yesto pani hundo rahechha, was the highlight of the first half. He also sang a song penned by Maha Kavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota – Bho hai timi na aau hai, composed by Ambar Gurung in 1972.
“I am sure all of you are here because you like my songs. Or else why would you be here? Most other people tell me off, scoff me saying, ´Oye, old man!´” he commented on the crowd. Parliamentarians, civil society leaders, lawyers, politicians, diplomats and journalists were present at the concert.
Subel Bhandari
Phatteman has a style, with powerful voice to compliment with. Or maybe the other way around. When he sings, he shakes his head, looks at the crowd, closes his eyes, lifts his right hand, the index finger gently touches the thumb and he weaves melodies in thin air, as if he is conducting a Mozart symphony and the audience is his ensemble. The audience obediently follows his lead.
Manjul, a poet, said of him, during the break, that the veteran´s hand, face, body language and facial expressions make music, not just his voice.
“He sings being you, inside you. That is what is great about Phatteman,” he said.
The second half saw songs like Marna baru garho hunna and Nachahadai kati kura, which was penned by Bijay Shiwakoti, and composed by Aavash just eight days prior.
The concert was a minimalist idea of utmost musical show. The legend conversed with the crowd in between. “Only old people know the true songs of an old man. Or someone who has stumbled in life,” he said. The audience agreed with laughter.
Phatteman said he considers himself “luckier than others.”
“I just eat that has been set on my table. I am lucky to have good songs with good lyrics and amazing music on my plate, the reason why the songs are still heard,” the Nepali modern music icon said.
Subel Bhandari
He shared his memories with the late Swar Samrat Narayan Gopal. “He used to call me Maharaj, maybe because he thought I was a Jogi (hermit),” he said before singing Banai Khayo Dadelole, music composed by Swar Samrat.
“I don’t like songs that are pop-bop, but yet, I have one called “Sannani ko galaima”, the legend said before singing the preppy number.
“So, how do you like it? Do I sound like an old jackal?” He asked afterwards.
The event organizer Nepa~laya had brought his first solo concert in 2002, and also released an album Phatteman at 70. His last recording was a song penned by Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling, in 2005.
This solo performance of the veteran singer also marked the 5th anniversary of Paleti, an exclusive music concert series by Nepa~laya with music veterans and legends, every last week of the Gregorian calendar. More than 25 have already performed at the event.
The encore he performed was “Rato ra chandra surya”, a little clichéd, yet none more fabulous. Nevertheless, he proved that Phatteman is still going strong at 72; young or not, debatable.
