Nepalaya revives Paleti

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb. 5: The popular musical programme ‘Paleti’ has been revived in memory of the late composers and artists who appeared on its stage and brought about renaissance of modern Nepali music. 

Paleti made its comeback with its first performance at Nepalaya’s Aarshala in Kalikasthan on Friday and Saturday after a gap of five years. 

The event featured the creations and songs of 11 legendary artists, including Rashtra Kavi Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Amber Gurung, Ratna Shumsher Thapa, Prem Dhoj, Phhateman Rajbhandari, Ram Man Trishit, Bhim Birag, Yogesh Vaidya, Kumar Subba, Binod Syangden, and Meera Thapa.

 Among the 56 artists associated with Paleti, some have passed away.

The programme, which has been known as a common place for Nepali musicians spread across Nepal, India and Bhutan for the past two decades, was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organised by Nepalaya, the programme has been coordinated by poet and musician Avash.

Although musical dramas and storytelling through songs have been common, it was revived by introducing a new genre called Giti-Nibandha  (musical essay), said Nepalaya. 

The host, Avash, reminisced about the late artists while presenting their compositions. The songs were performed by Abhigya Ghimire in the female voice and Benup Chhetri in the male voice.

 In addition to the vocalists, the newly restructured Paleti team included Kripesh Lohani on guitar, Milan Ghimire on flute, Parasmani Subedi on percussion, Laxmi Prasad Dangol on Tabla, and Dinesh Regmi on keyboard.

 The performance began with Ratna Shamsher’s song ‘Phoolai Phoolko Mausam Timilai’ and concluded with Ramman Trishit’s ‘Ek Phool Jhareko Ke Bho’.

Besides a new lineup of artists, Paleti has also found a new stage. 

In preparation for the upcoming performances, Avash recently travelled to Darjeeling and other parts of north-east India. 

As a result, the next edition of Paleti will feature Darjeeling based musicians Chandan Lomjel and Daisy Baraily. Their daughter, Bimochana Lomjel will also join them.

They will sing songs composed by the late Darjeeling poet Norden Rumba, including ‘Mera Sabai Raat Aba Maat Haru Bhaye’, which was originally sung by Narayan Gopal.

With the announcement of Paleti’s return, a three-month schedule of performances has also been revealed.

Following Chandan and Daisy’s family performance, next month’s stage will feature the influential Nepali songwriter Kali Prasad Rijal. 

Avash will collaborate with Rijal to present the latter’s new songs. 

On the same day, a book compiling Kali Prasad Rijal’s songs and poems, selected and edited by Avash, will be published.