As couples around the world observed Valentine’s Day with special programmes, the serene hill town of Bandipur came alive with music, energy and youthful nostalgia as Nepathya performed before a massive crowd on Saturday evening.

Arriving after successful concerts in three major cities, the iconic folk-rock band began its performance on time, opening with “Ho Rama Rama” as the familiar evening breeze swept across the town.

The crowd, estimated at nearly one-third of the municipality’s population of around 19,000, filled the Tundikhel grounds, with many visitors travelling from other regions to attend.

Foreign tourists were also among the audience. Joseph and Olivia, a young couple from the United Kingdom visiting Nepal, said they bought tickets after learning about the band at their hotel. They said they were delighted to discover that Nepathya had previously performed at Wembley Arena and expressed hope of attending another show in London.

Popular foreign vlogger Jack Dai, who has confirmed Nepali roots and has lived in Nepal for 22 years, also attended. He said he first watched Nepathya 13 years ago and still felt the same energy at the concert.

Lead singer Amrit Gurung reflected on youth and romance during the Valentine’s performance, dedicating the band’s early composition “Anganai Bhari” to the audience. He also shared memories of Bandipur’s revival as a vibrant tourist destination through the efforts of its residents.

The band honoured local musical traditions by performing “Jogale Hunchha Bhet”, based on the Kauda folk style, which drew appreciation from elderly audience members including 75-year-old Shambhu Karki of Lamjung, who praised the modern interpretation of traditional melodies.

Former Bandipur Campus chief Bikram Piya said the concert marked a new milestone for the town, enhancing its potential as a centre for cultural and musical tourism. He noted that while smaller musical events had been held previously, this was the first large-scale concert at the Tundikhel grounds.

Over two hours, Nepathya performed 17 songs, concluding with the patriotic “Rato Ra Chandra Surya”. The band was supported on stage by Dhruva Lama on drums, Subin Shakya on bass guitar, Niraj Gurung on guitar, Shanti Rayamajhi on madal and Dineshraj Regmi on keyboards.

Local organiser Manu Gurung of Khadgadevi Bandipur Youth Club said the overwhelming turnout had encouraged organisers to plan similar large-scale events in the future.

With the Bandipur concert, Nepathya concluded its Nepal tour series and returned to Kathmandu. The band is scheduled to perform next in Siliguri, India, on February 28, marking its first appearance in the hill regions of West Bengal.