And a train it took for Shrestha to record his composition that he had worked so hard on for almost a decade. On January 4, 2007, Shrestha recorded Aankha Bhitra Lukai Sakay, a song composed in 11/4 beat with running time of two minutes and 35 seconds. [break]
Aankha Bhitra Lukai Sakay does not follow the traditional beats and notations and 11/4 beat, Shrestha claims is the first of its kind not just in Nepal, but globally.
Now what on earth is the 11/4 beat?
Usually, all compositions follow a similar rule with six divisions in them -- prelude music, song I, interlude I, song II, interlude II, song III and song I. When these divisions are met, the outcome is a composition within 70 bars in minimum or more.
What Shrestha has done is he has overridden this formula fare and stunned everyone by composing a piece which does not exceed 19 bars and also incorporates the same time the traditional six divisions as required by a composition.
And because he claims that there have been no such compositions worldwide prior to his, he christens his note, “Bisham Taal.”
Born on August 6, 1970 in Dhading district, Shrestha says he was inclined to music right since he was three years old and since then, he claims to have understood what he wanted in life and decided to give his best to Nepali music. He wanted to compose something which people would be hearing for the first time and Bisham Taal, composed within 19 bars, just two years back would be it.
Recognizing his notes to be feat extraordinaire, and something that this world has not heard of before, Limca Book of Records, a prestigious book of honor given in India to mainly those candidates who have received honors like Padma Bhusan and Padma Shree, presented the Limca Book of Records 2009 award to Shrestha for his composition of 11/4 beats.
Another interesting aspect of his composition is when almost all music ensembles end at even number note like 2, 4, 8, 12 or 16, Aankha Bhitra Lukai Sakay ends in an odd number 19.
Having also authored Sukshma Sangeet Gyaan, a guide book for aspiring music composers, lyricists and singers of Nepal, Shrestha has also claimed berth in the Guinness Book of World Records. He now awaits his verification certificate for the same.
Complimenting Shrestha’s creation, prominent music composer Amber Gurung says, “This is really worth praising. I feel retired now to see a young artiste coming up with something extraordinary in music. Honestly, I always loved creativity and longed to compose something like Shrestha’s. My best wishes will always be with him.”
Reportedly, even veteran singers and composers like Narayan Gopal and Gopal Yonjan have not been able to compose a song in 11/4 beat within 19 bars. Singer and music composer at large Shila Bahadur Moktan says, “It is true that none of the music composers have been able to bringing this notes and beat so far. And I guess no one else than Shrestha will be able to do this again in future. To compose a song in 11/4 beat, within 19 bars is extremely difficult. Besides, it is even more difficult to lend voice to this rhythm and to do justice to the composition.”
And for all the achievement, why wouldn’t Shrestha, the Nepali chhoro (son) feel proud to have done something, which even the legends have not capped. His achievement which is now enlisted in the Limca Book of Records 2009 was unveiled by Big B Amitabh Bachchan just a few months back.
Apart from being a music composer, arranger, lyricist and a singer, Shrestha is also a music teacher and is in fact known better for his musical therapies to cure diseases like depression and high blood pressure.
Confident of challenging legendary masterpieces of Mozart and Beethoven, the composer of “Bisham Taal” says, “The nation and the government should also recognize my work for not everyone can do what I’ve done. I’m looking forward for everyone to support me and my works from any possible way they can. I promise to do much better for Nepal’s musical scene.”
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