Nepali Artists Face Frenetic Schedules Amidst Festival Season Rush

Festivals and fairs are currently electrifying cities and villages across Nepal. Artists are increasingly busy with musical performances at these events.

Popular singer Badri Pangeni is currently struggling with time management. While preparing to perform at an event organized by Nepal Life Insurance in Pokhara on Tuesday, he is rushing to fit in programs in Nuwakot on Wednesday, Sindhuli on Thursday, and Tulsipur, Dang on Friday. His busy schedule is not limited to this; he is set to perform in an event in Dubai on the 24th, following appearances in Lamahi, Rolpa, Dhading, and Bardaghat.

Pangeni, an avid cricket fan, plans to go directly to Mumbai to watch the World Cup after concluding his Dubai engagement. He mentions that for the past few months, the festival circuit has left him no time even to talk to friends on the phone. He recently performed at the '14th Pokhara Festival 2082' in Pokhara on the 2nd, after performing at festivals in Nepalgunj on Magh 6, Ratnanagar on the 5th, and Barbardiya on the 3rd.

Pangeni shares that some months see him performing almost daily. "If only the programs were in nearby areas! But it's sometimes here, sometimes there," Pangeni said. "Sometimes, delays in flights or traffic jams cause problems."

A few days ago, while traveling to a festival in Parbat, his flight was delayed, causing him to arrive at 8:30 PM for a stage appearance scheduled for 5:00 PM. "For the past few months, I might have had one or two days off, otherwise, I am busy almost daily," Pangeni stated. "In a way, this time of year is like the month of Mangsir for farmers; it is the same for us singers."

Pangeni revealed that participating in such events for a few months during the season covers his expenses for the entire year. "This is the profession. This is the basis for survival. One must do their work," he said. "This is also an opportunity to meet and connect with the audience, mingle with them, and get their feedback."

He shares his experience that participating in such events allows him to visit places he hasn't seen and learn about things he didn't know.

While festivals bring many sweet experiences, he also has some bitter ones. He complains that organizers in some places treat artists poorly.

Meanwhile, singer Durgesh Thapa, who released his new song 'Naach Naach Bhai Naach...' on Saturday, is equally busy with fairs and festivals. After being temporarily boycotted from festivals due to his relationship and dispute with actor Paul Shah, he is now a favorite choice for many.

Following the success of his previous song 'Dushman Héreko Hére...', he has been constantly busy with programs. He has high demand not only in domestic shows but also in international events. He states that this year is very significant for him in terms of musical performances.

Durgesh participated in the Nepalgunj Festival on Monday. After completing up to 32 programs last month, he is scheduled to participate in 14-15 programs this month. He mentioned that programs are starting to decrease as the elections draw nearer.

Durgesh has recently participated in musical programs in Kathmandu, Arghakhanchi, Pokhara, Damuali, Sikkim, Tikapur, Bansgadhi, Devchuli, and Surkhet.

Singer Rachana Rimal is equally busy. It has been three months since she had any free time. "It's fine if I don't get sick, but it becomes difficult when I do get sick," she says.

Rachana sometimes manages two festivals in a single day. After performing at the Maghi Festival in Bardiya on Sunday (Magh 11), she performed in Rolpa on Monday. This was her first trip to Rolpa. On Monday, she participated in the Ninth Nuwakot Festival.

On the day of Maghe Sankranti this month, she performed in Kushmishera, Baglung, and the very next day, she managed to perform at the Provincial Festival in Nepalgunj. So far, she has showcased her vocal talent at festivals in Baglung, Gorkha, Ratnanagar, Ghorahi, Mahendranagar, Tikapur, Parsa's Maghi-Lhochhar Fair, and Gaindakot. She stated she will be busy in various parts of the country throughout the month of Magh. For Rachana, this time is not just about financial income but also a medium to connect directly with the audience.

"Demand comes from everywhere; I try to attend as much as I can," she said. "Many call this the artists' Dashain, but for me, Dashain feels like a holiday. This is a rush of work."

She added that programs would decrease somewhat after the elections begin.

Singer and actor Prakash Saput, who excels in both acting and singing, has also returned to the musical stage. After staying away from the stage for a few years due to acting commitments, he has been appearing at fairs and festivals for a few months.

Saput, who performed at the Sindhuli Festival last Sunday, had previously entertained audiences in Arghakhanchi, Devchuli, Pokhara, Syangja, Mahendranagar, Rajapur, Bansgadhi, Tikapur, and Lalamatia. He, who is also on the proportional representation list for the Rastriya Swatantra Party, says he will continue with musical programs for a few more days before diving into election campaigning.

Similarly, popular singer Shanta Rani Pariyar, who performed in Lamahi, Dang on Sunday, participated in a program organized in Nuwakot on Monday. She gained fame with the song 'Ma Ta Dalein Dalein...' and performed in Lalamatia, Dang, before Lamahi. Pariyar has also performed in Salyan, Pokhara, Gulmi, Baglung, Chandrauta, and Bharatpur. She has also been busy with fairs and festivals for the past two months.

Not just Badri, Rachana, Durgesh, Prakash, and Shanta Rani, but many artists including singers Asmita Adhikari, Jyoti Magar, Laxmi Acharya, Alina Chauhan, Bindu Pariyar, etc., are currently caught up in the festival rush. Although it is anticipated that programs might decrease as election activities intensify, the busy daily routines of artists are expected to continue throughout the month of Magh.