Nepathya's first Nagoya concert brings together Nepali diaspora

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Nov. 16: Nepali folk-rock band Nepathya was warmly welcomed during its first concert in Nagoya, attracting a crowd of Nepalis living throughout Japan who assembled on Thursday for a rare cultural homecoming.

According to the organisers, the Nagoya performance came shortly after the band played before nearly 10,000 spectators in Pokhara, before departing on its latest Japan tour. Although Nepathya had previously performed in Osaka, this marked its first appearance in Nagoya, an industrial hub that hosts Japan’s largest port and a steadily growing Nepali population.

Many fans travelled from surrounding prefectures to attend the concert. Among them was Manjita Rai, who took a bullet train from Shizuoka solely to see the band live. “This was my first concert experience. It turned out far better than anything I expected,” said Rai, who has been living in Japan for a decade.

Nagoya had increasingly become a cultural centre for the Nepali community, with more than 50 Nepali restaurants and an annual Nepal Festival drawing large participation. The rise in Nepali students and workers had also led to greater involvement in local sports events, including cricket tournaments.

For some attendees, the concert offered a powerful moment of nostalgia. Student Bivek Puri, who first saw Nepathya perform eight years ago in Butwal, said the show evoked memories of home. “Music does more than entertain. It connects you to your roots and your country, no matter how far away you are,” said Puri.

Lead vocalist Amrit Gurung maintained active engagement with the audience, emphasising the need for unity among Nepalis living abroad and the importance of preserving language and identity. While performing Yo Jindagani, he urged the diaspora to support children in Nepal who remain deprived of formal education.

The concert concluded with the patriotic anthem Rato Ra Chandra Surya, drawing loud applause from the diverse crowd of youths, families, and elderly attendees. Nursing student Swastika Lama, who had only seen Nepathya on YouTube before, said watching the band live strengthened her sense of Nepali identity.

After the successful Nagoya show, the 14-member team of artists, technicians, and managers will head to Tokyo for a performance at the Tokyo Dome City Hall on November 18, followed by a concert in Osaka on November 24.