The trend setter of Nepali music industry, veteran composer, singer and lyricist Amber Gurung’s health condition has improved little compared to Friday, but doctors at Grande International Hospital, who have been looking after him, say his condition is not out of danger.

Till Saturday evening, he was in an unconscious state of mind and was kept on a  ventilator. Dr Punkaj Joshi of the hospital said there has been little improvement in his blood circulation. “But, he is still unconscious, and is not out of danger,” said Joshi.

The seventy-eight-year-old was admitted to Grande International Hospital on May 30. Last month, Gurung had returned to Kathmandu following a two-month stay at the Delhi-based Medanta Hospital in New Delhi. He has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and diabetes.

On Friday and Saturday, over 200 musicians, poets, writers, his fans and family members paid him a visit. In Palpa, Darjeeling and various parts of the country, his fans organised a candle light vigil to pray for his recovery.

On May 25, Nepal Police had donated Rs 500,000 for Gurung’s treatment. The government had earlier announced to bear all treatment costs.

Kishwor Gurung, son of the veteran musician, said he was happy to get help from the government. “The government has greatly supported the treatment of my father, this is a good sign for Nepali music industry,” he said. However, his son was worried about the health condition of his father. “Since his health is too fragile, we can’t take him to India again. The only thing we can do is pray for him,” he said.

Prakash Sayami, filmmaker, poet and writer, said the nation should reward him with ‘Rasta Gayak Title’. “Because he is a trend setter in the Nepali music industry, nobody can replace him,” he said. 

Over six decades of his musical career, Gurung has given 1,000 hit contemporary numbers, including era-defining songs such as Nau Lakhe Tara and Rato Ra Chandra Surya. Gurung is also a lyricist and singer. Born (in 1938) and raised in Darjeeling, India, Gurung has also authored three books of lyrics and memoirs—Samaalera Raakha (1969), Akcharkaa Awajharu (2003), and an anthology of essays and memoirs, Kahaa Gae Ti Dinharu(2006).