1st June, 2013
On a special occasion (friend’s wedding anniversary on 31st
May), we went to a special place for celebration. The show was to begin at 6 pm
in Paleti in Nepalaya hall. Socializing would begin at 5:30 pm. We reached at
5:15 pm. The venue already had about a dozen numbers of guests. The place was peaceful and well managed and
the weather was cool.
Around one corner was a table over which a number of books
were kept for sale. We glanced through the books and were waiting for the
program. The number of guests was increasing. Snacks and drinks were being
served. We were relishing and were excited to see the popular figures of the
country in the venue. We could see journalists, poets, musicians, politicians
all who loved Nepali culture and were eager to listen to Dipak Kharel in front
of them.
At 6 pm, we entered the Paleti hall. We could hear soothing
instrumental tune emerging out from the room. The room was cool but cozy, and we
could see the legend Dipak Kharel in front of us already well prepared with musicians
behind him in a semi-circle. Soon the Paleti room was full. I could see why they
had notified me in the email that the ticket had been sold out for this show. The
show began.
It began with a song which sounded like a Bhajan. What followed
were his popular songs and the ones which I had never heard before. Some of
them were - “Pratikshya gara…”, “Purnima ko raat…”, “Badal banai deu….” He would
sing with his eyes closed and through the depth of this heart. The hosting of
Aavash was entertaining. He kept asking Dipak Kharel about the making and background
of those songs throughout the program.
Dipak Kharel looked charismatic and handsome. The red-colored
top, which he later mentioned he wore upon his father’s request, on the white
face looked awesome and the shining steel-rimmed glasses made him a gentleman. His
voice was not much different from what it was in his songs 30-35 years back. It
was fit for singing. He spoke less but answered all questions tactfully. The audience
seemed happy to hear him.
The show had a break
of 15-20 minutes in between. Everyone was outside again chatting about the program
and relishing the snacks. We made some friends during the break. All the Paleti
audience seemed to admire Deepak Kharel’s voice. The break seemed too long for
us. Listeners were back in the hall. The second half of the program started.
Once he began singing, time ran quickly. We could enjoy
songs like “Timro tyo hasilo muhar…”, “Kati anautho chha…”, “Yo karma bhumiko…”
this time. The more he sang, the more claps were heard. A few times, they even
prolonged. He kept singing his evergreen songs and the listeners were never
tired. Upon our request, he re-sang “Pratikshya gara….” As all good things come
to an end, the good show ended too.
We are thankful to Paleti for organizing such programs and honoring
the legends of the country. We also feel grateful to be a part of it and will
always want to be. We hope the Paleti continues.
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