National 7 (Spotlight Weekly)

Musical Ambassadors

Through creativity and skill, a classical-music band is taking Nepal across the world

By NIRAJ POUDYAL

The hall was filled with distinguished guests representing various sectors of society. What bound this diverse gathering was an abiding love for music, especially the classical Nepalese variety. Turning their attention to the stage, they deepened the pin-drop silence. The cool evening after the rainfall had not entered the warm hall. The audience knew they could expect further warmth once the music set rolling.

It was the evening of January 28, 2003 at the Regency Ballroom of Hotel Hyatt Regency. The guests were gathered for the release of Sur Sudha's sixth CD album "Symbol of Nepal", brought out by Infinity International with the support of Connect Vine UK Limited.

US Ambassador Michael Malinowski, the chief guest, officially released the CD by one of the finest classical musical bands in Nepal. He distributed certificates of appreciation to the promoters and organizers of the event. He appreciated the band's efforts to popularize Nepali traditional-based classical music around the world. Infinity International informed the audience that Sur Sudha will soon be in the United States for a concert.

The three members of Sur Sudha - Surendra Shrestha (on the tabla), Prem Rana Autari (on the flute) and Tara Bir Tuladhar (on the sitar), who is also a professor of music in Padma Kanya Multiple College - are popular musicians and experts in their respective instruments. Besides, they all have their own long academic history. They began their musical voyage 14 years ago with the aim of interpreting and gifting the myriad musical traditions of Nepal in the country and to the world.

They have been inspired by the traditional tunes of many areas in Nepal from the Terai to the villages high in the Himalayas. They have been serving as the royal musicians of the country. They have played over 2,000 concerts from the steps of ancient Hindu temples to the stages of Europe, India, Japan, China and the USA. That's why the band members are even well known as musical and cultural ambassadors of Nepal to the rest of the world.

The band played three pieces at the program. There was no one who didn't nod their heads or tap their feet on the floor. Long flute magic in a single inhale by Prem Rana Autari and the dribbling enchantment by Surendra Shrestha on the tabla fascinated many. Moreover, the audience was awed by the tolerance of Autari and the speed of Shrestha's fingers. A song inspired from the Terai and semi-classical tunes touched everybody. After a long stillness, the band stirred the blood veins of audiences with "Reshamm Phiriri, Reshamm Phiriri," mixed this time in a quaint classical melody.

Surendra Shrestha, who had requested the audiences to switch their mobile phones off, encouraged them to raise their hands and clap, adding excitement to "Reshamm Phiriri." And the claps continued till the end of the evening. The program may have ended there, but it certainly went on a lot longer in the hearts and minds of the audience.