Breathtaking View

By Dr. Hari Prasad Shrestha

The Beautiful Mountains of Nepal; By Pilot Bed Upreti, Capt.(Pilot) Suresh Bista, Lt. Col. K. B. Thapa (Retd.); Published by: Ghatal and Maateswori Publication (Kathmandu, 2000); No. of Pages: 135; Price: Rs. 810.

THE mountains of Nepal have always been an attraction not only for the local people but also the thousands of tourists who flock in every year. The majestic Himalayas have been a source of attaining supreme bliss for the saints since ancient times.

it was the lure of the Himalayas that started the tourist influx into Nepal in the 1950s and has remained so even now. The number of mountaineering expeditions aside, the mountain flights have proved very popular with the visitors coming to Nepal.

Despite the conquering of the highest peak in the world some fifty years back, Mount Everest still attract innumerable expeditions every year. The charm of scaling the highest peak is so great that expeditions to other peaks does not attract so much attention as they deserve.

The Beautiful Mountains of Nepal by people in the profession of flying aircraft is the outcome of their own attraction for the glittering Himalayas. The book is a compilation of wonderful photographs of the various peaks together with a short description.

The book is divided into 18 chapters which have their own significance in making the book what it is.

The first chapter starts off with presenting the significant facts about the Himalayas. The heights of the world’s top ten high peaks is included in this part. This chapter, in fact, sets the pace of the information that is to follow in the later chapters.

As Sagarmatha still remains the focal point of all attraction for the Himalayas, the next chapter brings to light some interesting facts concerning the Khumbu Himal Region. Mention of the yeti also finds its way in to the curiosity of all the readers.

Next comes the detailed presentation of Mount Everest. The facts presented are of interest to everyone. The history of expeditions to this wonderful peak makes the chapter more than interesting.

It is a fact that the increasing number of tourists to the country stems from the attraction of nature including the Himalayas. The description of the various important peaks is to the point without mincing words.

The later chapters go on to describe Kanchenjunga Himal, Langtang Himal, Jugal Himal, Manasalu and Ganesh Himal, Annapurna Himal, Dhaulagiri Himal, Kanjiroba Himal and Far West Himal regions. The descriptions are equally interesting and informative.

It also mentions the charm of the mountain flights which are being conducted by various airlines. This particular flight gives a very close and breathtaking view of the Himalayan peaks without having to don your mountaineering suit.

The later chapters deal with varied aspects of mountaineering including the deaths and records of not using artificial oxygen while ascending.

The book is a very useful and compact information digest on the Himalayas of Nepal. The wonderful colour photographs do much to enhance the attraction of the books. An interesting fact is that the writers themselves had taken the photographs during their flights. The list of information is worth noting.

On the whole the book is one that will prove to be a valuable asset to adorn your personal collection. The effort of the writers must receive praise.

Pop With Folk Flavour

By Arhan Sthapit

Album: Athaha; Band: Deurali; No. of songs: 10; Time Run: 50.17 minutes (net); Marketed by: Music Nepal; Price: Not mentioned.

SENIOR musician and reader in music at P. K. Campus (TU) Deepak Jangam told this scribe recently that the current pop-hype is just digression from the classical origins of music ,and that it is a good sign that a majority of pop artistes are turning back to folk and semi-classical music.

Of course, folk-based pop songs are creating big waves in town in recent times. Lively, simple melodies of folk tunes when tailored to peppy, ‘pop’ beats create fantastic music that regale music lovers, particularly youngsters. It is for this reason that the number of pop artistes and bands championing folk tunes of Nepal are on a steady rise. They are mustering immense popularity too. Like Namaste, Sanjeep Pradhan, Nepathya, Kandara, Mongolian Hearts, The Sky Band and Parivesh, to name a few, the music mart has seen another pop band in the same line. It is Deurali.

The band Deurali hails from Pokhara, Kaski that has already given Nepathya and Kandara to the music circle. With Shanta and Ananda Bajracharya doing the vocal, Mani Pun on the lead guitar, Tej K.C. on the bass guitar, Jeevan Gurung on the rhythm guitar, Basanta Thapa on the drums and Rajesh Buddhacharya as the manager, the band has already entrenched itself in the hearts of pop lovers in town. Their songs of yore like Dhunge saunko mela-ma had contributed to make them a big name in the pop circuit.

The band recently released their third album, Athaha, literally meaning Indefinite. It is conspicuous that the band has come up with their ‘brand’ of music which is folk-based pop. The 10 songs contained in the album take listeners on a pleasant ride to hilly rustic settlements. The use of the flute, sarangi and madal has further contributed to it.

Music representing diverse moods - both romantic and tragic as well as joys and sorrows — has been churned out in the album. Ujad yo jindagi, Hasda kheri, and Sansarma, for example, carry sentimental emotions while Jaha jaula, Lekhi diyen, and Jun dekhe are fine romantic numbers. Other tracks Lukai, Sayapatri, Dekhekole, and Bhanti sanile are also acceptable.

Of them, one track Jahan jaula has already reaped big popularity, making its way to the top slots of the musical popularity charts in town.

All the songs dishing out soothing folk music melodies are worth an audit. Composition-wise, they are beautiful, but there is some room for improvement in building up a better vocal performance. Shanta and Ananda can have rosy days ahead if they polish their voices through dedicated, regular riyaaj, or practice.

As far as lyrics goes, the use of typical Nepali words with appropriate symbols deserve laurels. Of the rest, there is nothing to write home about. In particular, the message in Jahan jaula is lofty as it calls on all to take pride in being a Nepali citizen and eating Nepali food.

However, it could have been better if they abstained from using such expressions as Mayalu kakhai-ma... (sweetheart on my lap...). Such lyrics could spark controversy for being over suggestive of lecherous appeals.

Going by their performance, it may be said that the band has proved its mettle in churning out folk-based pop music.

Music arrangement is acceptable, and cover design meaningful. There should be not much grievance over the recording quality of the songs.