Lyricist Shivshankar Thapa's Songs Resonate at 'Palenti'

Kathmandu. Famous lyricist Shivshankar Thapa's songs have resonated in the 'R' hall of Nepalaya in Kalikasthan. His songs resonated in the new series of 'Palenti', which has been ongoing for the past 21 years. With Shivshankar Thapa, the number of lyricists involved in Palenti has reached a dozen.

In the first segment of the program, divided into three parts, there were five musical performances including new and old songs. Music composers Subarna Limbu, Prakash Gurung, Abhas, and Balaram Samal's tunes were included.

In addition to songs and music, the main attraction of the program was the revelation of the creation-genesis and personal experiences of lyricist Shivshankar Thapa's lyrical compositions.

The program began with the song 'Hawasangai Bagun Bhancha', made famous by the voice of Pawan Gole and composed by musician Subarna Limbu. After that, songs titled 'Mero Rahar Biujhiye' and 'Kahi Lyauna Sakina' composed by musician Prakash Gurung were presented.

Along with the musical performance, the lyricist gradually opened the purse of his past. The audience burst into laughter listening to the memory of meeting musician Prakash Gurung in a rented room in Bhotebahal during their youthful days.

The fourth performance of the program was the new song 'Ma Ta Aksharko Manche Hu'. In this regard, the song's composer Abhas recalled his association with lyricist Shivshankar Thapa three decades ago. Regarding this song, lyricist Shivshankar Thapa said, 'My songs are about people and their stories. I try to read people as letters, this song is the result of that.'

In the fifth performance, Shivshankar Thapa appeared very emotional. Thapa's eyes became teary when he mentioned that the song 'Kati Sahro Phatechu Ma', composed by musician Balaram Samal, was inspired by the loneliness after the demise of his wife.

The second segment included songs that became famous in the voice of singer and musician Deep Shrestha. Musician and singer Deep Shrestha, present in the audience, seemed mesmerized listening to his compositions from the voices of the new generation of vocalists.

The first performance of this segment was the song 'Mero Aankha Ma Bhardin Badal Chhai Rahyo'. While explaining the creation-genesis of this song, lyricist Thapa recalled the 'Sukhani Massacre' that occurred during the transfer of prisoners of the Jhapa rebellion.

He said that his composition was inspired by the same incident that took place in Ilam on Falgun 21, 2029 BS, which brought silence to the audience. That incident, which occurred during the Panchayat era, is remembered as a moment of political oppression.

The second composition presented during the presentation of compositions by Deep Shrestha was 'Timi Aakashko Jun Bhayau, Ma Ta Yahaako Dhulo Hu'. This song was Shivshankar Thapa's first lyrical composition with his own tune. With this composition, Shivshankar Thapa further loosened the purse of his personal experiences.

Recalling hearing his name on the radio for the first time through this song, Shivshankar Thapa said, 'I still remember that moment when I was eating tea in a hotel in Dharan. At that time, I thought, 'Could my wealthy girlfriend be listening to this song on the radio somewhere?... Oh, what a romantic age that was?'

As the program progressed, the songs 'Phoolko Gala Bhijayer' and 'Aayo Feri Chaite Huri' came up. These songs, also composed by Deep Shrestha, were originally sung by Sofia and Sarala. Sofia Gurung Shrestha, among them, was also present in the audience. Seeing her past songs sung by Abhigya Ghimire, Sofia's face looked mesmerized and her lips moved.

In the program where lyricist Shivshankar Thapa narrated the creation-genesis of each song, when the popular song 'Bidhuwale Sindur Ko Rahar' came up, a wave of emotion spread among the audience. In this regard, he mentioned that his song was inspired by the true story of a widowed neighbor.

When the song 'Bhathi Meri Uni Mero Paila Na Tekidinu' came up, lyricist Shivshankar Thapa reached the climax of expressing his personal love story.

He said, 'I speak directly; I speak without lying; I don't know how to lie; 'Bhathi Meri Uni' are even the lines expressed in a letter by a beloved girlfriend from the distant past. I have put her exact words into the song. Deep composed and sang it. The song became famous. I also became famous. That love story is over, but our friendship is not. We have a family friendship.'

The third and final segment featured folk-style compositions. These included the geographically themed songs 'Makhako Phedima, Jaad Chhanda Chhandai' and 'Aaja Feri Rajaijyu Ko'. Expressing his feelings about the two folk songs recorded by Yuvaraj Poudel and Monica Chundal, Shivshankar Thapa opined that the style known as Jhyaure might be a corruption of the Magar word 'Jhya Bura'.

The last song of the program was the old folk song 'Rato Mato Sindur Ko Sato', recorded by singers Deep Shrestha, Govinda Katuwal, and Shivshankar Thapa at Radio Nepal. Shivshankar Thapa, who appeared cheerful at the end of the program, said, 'Look; I am a somewhat unhealthy person, but at the time of finishing this program, I feel the same vigor as I did at 25 years old.'

In this Palenti, which resonated with the voices of Abhigya Ghimire and Rupak Chaudhary, Vikram Karki on lead and rhythm guitar, Kripesh Lohani on bass guitar, Vaibhav Vikram Pariyar on keyboard, Milan Ghimire on flute, and Milesh Tandukar and Rejen Khadki on rhythm section participated in the instrumental performance.