Kathmandu, Jestha, 16th. The eleventh episode of the Achyutram Bhandari Sangeet Academy concluded yesterday with a remarkable Jugalbandi performance by brothers Prabhuraj Dhakal and Prateekraj Dhakal.

During the first session of classical singing, the talented brothers presented Madhyalay in Bilambit and Tintaal, based on the renowned Raga Puriya Dhanashree. The audience, upon their request, was treated to a second session where the artists performed the patriotic song "Rashtra Bhavna Jagos Janma," composed by their late father, Sangeet Praveen Narraj Dhakal.

To conclude the program, the brothers delivered a mesmerizing rendition of the Nepali Bandi, accompanying the song "Dukh Nadeu Mero Ram Mero Dukh Sab Timrai," composed by their father and based on Raga Bhairavi. Accompanying them on the tabla was senior tabla player Dankandas Chowdhary, while Yatiraj Adhikari skillfully played the violin.

During the event, Achyut Prasad Chalisa, the chief guest of the 11th series, honoured the artists by garlanding them with rudraksha beads. Navraj Dhakal, an exceptional figure in the history of classical music in Nepal, presented his first-ever Nepali language performance in the country. With the support of Pragya Pratishthan and the then Government of Nepal, he played a crucial role in revitalizing classical singing in Nepal in 2046 BS. In 1860 BS, he composed two seminal texts called Sangeet-Suras, which became instrumental in preserving the tradition of classical singing. During that time, the practice of singing Bandiyas was limited to the Hindi language in the realm of Nepali classical music.

Unfortunately, these two rare books by Narraj Dhakal are currently unavailable in Nepal. Republishing these books by the government would provide valuable knowledge about Nepali classical music to future generations. The Narraj Sangeet Pratishthan should consider taking the initiative in this endeavour.

Photo Gallery: