By Mannu Shahi
Kathmandu, Jan. 24: Rhythm Passport is a UK based art-promoting website featuring various artist review forums from the global music scene, organizing concerts, creating playlist, sharing
enthralling music from different corners of the world with their subscribers and much more. And as their first ever online event of 2021, the firm ended up here in Kathmandu, featuring a 3hrs long show with some artsy musical acts from this side of the world.
Premiering tonight roughly around 9-12 pm, i.e. 3-6 pm (UK time) as stated on the event whereabouts of the show, six amazing artists are all set to present their unique takes of bringing forth the traditional musical elements of Nepal.
Starting the set with Rajan Shrestha aka Phatcowlee, an inter-disciplinary artist, who is actively pursuing his musical endeavors as a DJ, bassist, ethnomusicologist, music producer, member of the art-rock super group Jindabaad and one half of the electronic duo Anaasir.
Followed by Jaire, a math rock/post punk guitar and drums duo, who will be playing a set from their recently released EP, Prakriti | Prabriti. The third act will feature a gifted Barcelona based Nepali flute player Binod Katuwal, a music teacher who primarily performs solo as well as collaborates with various local bands and musicians in Spain. His musical aspirations vary from his Nepali origins to embracing the world and the experiences he has come across as a traveler inclined towards spirituality.
The next outfit features a Nepali-Spanish collaboration with the infamous Jooni, Abhisek Bhadra on composition, keys and production and Maria Fajardo Martin on vocals and composition. This duo will be accompanied by two other musicians from Chile, Ser O Duo. They will be followed by Kanta dAb dAb a sitar, bass and percussion trio blending ethnic, traditional, Nepali classical music with various western music influences to create a groovy, soulful Asian fusion which the band claims to be distinctly contemporary with the Nepali sound.
Ending the event with the headlining act Sanskriti Shrestha, a Norway based Nepali percussionist and improviser. An outstanding tabla player, composer and bandleader of jazz fusion sextet, Avatar from Oslo, Shrestha’s musical representation portrays an emphasis on her own original style blending her Nepalese/ Indian musical background with jazz, electronics and western contemporary music. So be there as the event is completely free to watch, and has all these varieties of musical expressions coming together for this three hour long Facebook live that will be premiered from the official Rhythm Passport page and their YouTube as well as Facebook sites.