Popular singer Bidhhan Shrestha performed at Nepalaya’s R-sala in Kalikasthan during a two-day edition of the Paleti series held on Friday and Saturday evening.

The monthly programme, staged every English calendar weekend, has been running for the past 21 years, featuring prominent figures from Nepali music while occasionally introducing emerging artists.

Shrestha had previously performed at Paleti nine years ago and returned this time with nearly 15 songs, most of them composed and written by his father, lyricist and composer Vijay Shrestha.

The performance opened with the widely known song “Ma Pattharko Devata Hoin”, written by Vijay Shrestha and composed by Deep Shrestha.

The first segment of the concert focused on sentimental numbers, including “Buhari Jhar Jhai”, “Timilai Saath”, “Birshun Bhanera Chot”, “Jandai Chu Tadha” and “Jalan Chhatiko”. Despite his introverted personality, Shrestha’s vocal delivery was described as bold and expressive.

The second segment shifted to romantic songs, featuring “Aaja Nachchhe Meri Gauri”, “Hind Lau Mayalu” and “Tara Jun”.

The third section introduced works by composers other than Vijay Shrestha. It began with “Ti Ramaila Yaad”, composed by noted Darjeeling-based lyricist and musician Paras Gajmer.

This was followed by “Solsitini Bhani Bolako”, a song originally created by the Hong Kong-based band Sangam, which Shrestha has continued to perform for contemporary audiences.

The programme then moved into folk music, including “Bhaktapure Dahi”, once performed on radio by senior artists Sundar Shrestha and Tirtha Kumari.

He also performed “Yo Nani Ko Sirai Ma Indra Kamal Phool Phulyo”, made famous in the voice of Prem Dhoj, and collected by folk artist Jhalakman Gandharva.

The final segment featured patriotic songs, including “Gyan Bahadur Chhora”, “Ekta Nai Bal Ho” and “Machhi Marna Jau Na Dajai Kalapani Ma”. The latter drew a standing ovation from the audience on Friday evening.

First-time attendee Kashika Rana, who travelled from India, described the experience as memorable. “I came from India. I live there after marriage. Today I came with my father to watch Paleti. It was a wonderful experience. Bidhhan’s singing and the overall presentation were very engaging,” she said.

Organisers announced that next month’s Paleti will feature veteran artist Madan Krishna Shrestha along with his son Yaman Shrestha.

The performance featured Dineshraj Regmi on keyboard, Milan Ghimire on flute, Prabin Pulami Magar on lead and rhythm guitar, Ashish Shrestha on bass guitar, and rhythm section musicians Sundar Kumar Maharjan and Parashmani Subedi.