Nepathya America Series 2024: An Emotional Gathering of Audiences Seeking Nepali Identity

Columbus (Ohio)- Nandu Khatiwada has little connection with Gopal Prasad Rimal’s “Rato ra Chandrasurje,” a poem written during the anti-Rana regime campaign. At the age of one and a half, he was expelled from Bhutan and came to Nepal with his parents. At 19, he moved to the United States under the refugee resettlement program. Now, at 31, the one thing he yearns for is his Nepali identity.

On Saturday evening, in a hall filled with people waving the Nepali national flag and dancing, Nandu was seen enjoying the music just as much.

“Nepathya’s music, which is rooted in Nepali identity, holds immense significance in my life,” he said. “Even though Amrit Dai is older than my father, I couldn’t hold back my tears seeing him sing folk tunes and dance with such energy.”

Raised in Khudunabari, Jhapa, Nandu says Nepathya’s songs are as dear to him as devotional songs are to religious people.  
“For two hours, it felt like I was in deep meditation,” he said, accompanied by his wife. “Tonight, I experienced one of the most important moments of my life.”

The entire KEMBA Live hall, filled with an excited crowd, was lifted by the sound, lighting, and enthusiasm throughout the concert.

After completing two concerts in the western United States, Nepathya’s third performance in Columbus, the capital of Ohio, in the Midwest, was equally grand.

The city, named after the famous 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus, has seen a significant increase in the population of immigrants from Asian and South American countries over the past two and a half decades, according to recent statistics.

Under the resettlement program, the largest number of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees were brought to the United States, with nearly one-third of them residing in this state. Besides, there is a significant presence of other Nepali immigrants here. As the number of immigrants has increased, so has the search for identity and culture, according to locals.

“Some of our fellow Nepalis do not teach their children Nepali in America,” said Amrit during the concert, becoming emotional. “To connect children with their roots and, if nothing else, to allow them to communicate with their grandparents, please encourage them to speak Nepali.”

The concert started right on time at 8 PM, beginning with the song “Koshi Ko Pani Yo Zindagani.” The performance moved through Nepathya’s timeless hits, including new songs like “Shirphool Shirai Ma,” “Nainital,” and “Pachase Barsama.” The final set of songs, including “Resham,” “Tal Ko Pani,” and “Rato Ra Chandrasurje,” brought the program to its peak.

“It became an unforgettable and memorable evening,” wrote Manoj Siwakoti on Facebook, accompanied by a group photo with the Nepali flag. “What a powerful performance.”

Prakash Joshi, who drove seven hours from St. Louis, Missouri, with his American wife to watch the concert, shared his experience.  
“A few years ago, I had to return midway due to an overwhelming crowd while trying to watch a Nepathya concert at Patan Durbar Square,” said Joshi, a software engineer from Mahendranagar, Nepal. “I had vowed to watch a Nepathya concert someday, and today, I experienced one of the best moments of my life.” As he said this, his wife, Sai McKenzie, who works in event management, added, “I’ve attended and organized many events, but the energy between the artist and the audience was a rare experience. The energy and vibes were amazing.” She added, “I see a lot of stress on people’s faces in America, but this performance brought smiles and joy to many.”

Meena Kaini, who has long been involved in journalism in Nepal, had experienced Nepathya concerts many times before.  
“Listening to these songs and hearing Amrit Gurung interpret them, I feel like I’m traveling through different regions of Nepal,” said Meena, who also watched a Nepathya concert in Toronto last year. “Listening to these songs so far away from Nepal, I am enveloped in the sweetness of returning to past moments.” She added that these songs have become even more meaningful to her as she continues to live abroad.

“Judging by the audience’s reaction in the hall, I can estimate the popularity of this band,” said Joey Pasternak, the production manager at KEMBA Live. “It was a fun concert for me as well, seeing the entire audience singing along to every song, raising their hands, and swaying to the rhythm.”

Amrit Gurung was accompanied by Dhruva Lama on drums, Subin Shakya on bass guitar, Niraj Gurung on guitar, Shanti Rayamajhi on the madal, and Dineshraj Regmi on the keyboard.

“When I saw the rows of national flags waving during the concert, I got goosebumps,” said organizer Lal Chauhan. “We organizers are proud to have been a part of this grand, civilized, and magnificent musical flow among Nepali speakers. It feels like a dream come true, for which I am grateful to the band.”

After successfully completing the first three concerts of their U.S. tour, Nepathya will now head to Texas for their fourth performance. After six years, the band will once again perform in Dallas, the most populous city in the state. This time, they will take the stage at the “Toyota Music Factory,” a large and grand venue, and are determined to provide the Texas audience with an enjoyable evening on August 24. 

After Dallas, the band will perform in New York, Maryland, and finally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where this year’s series of U.S. concerts will come to an end.

For all the concerts in America, tickets can be purchased directly online. Seats can be reserved through the band’s official website, [www.nepathya.com.np](http://www.nepathya.com.np).

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