Musical Poetry Performance Celebrates the Power of Expression at Club 10X, Thamel
Kathmandu, Nepal – August 26, 2024 – On the evening of August 23, 2024, A Night to
Remember: Unraveling Emotions and Expressing Desire captivated an enthusiastic audience
at Club 10X in Thamel. Organized by the Gehendra Dhimal Foundation, and supported by
the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu and IM Swedish Development Partner, the event celebrated
the unique intersection of music and poetry, fostering conversations around emotions,
identity, and self-expression. As part of the larger Pride’s Palette series, A Night to Remember
was dedicated to supporting and showing solidarity with queer individuals, focusing on
human rights and queer rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. This event provided a
platform for voices often marginalized, creating a space where artists and audiences alike
could explore and express their deepest emotions and desires in an atmosphere of acceptance
and celebration.
The event featured a lineup of immensely talented poets and musicians, including Smarika
Phuyal (vocals), Paras Mani Subedi (percussionist), and Rayan Rajbhandari (guitarist). Their
performances set a soulful tone for the evening as poets shared powerful works that
explored themes of desire, gender, and emotional vulnerability. The musical poetry
performances included “सायुज्यको पर्खाइमा छु | Waiting for Union,” by Gauri Malla, a
legendary figure in the Nepali film industry, celebrated for her acting prowess. Beyond her
fame as an actor, Gauri Malla is also a gifted writer, poet, and singer, talents that are less
widely known to the public. Additionally, the event featured “अन्तिम भेट | The Waiter” as
well as “अभिष्ट | Yearning” by Viplob Pratik, a distinguished writer, poet, and author of
numerous notable books. Both Gauri Malla and Viplob Pratik also served as jury members,
selecting the 10 best poems submitted during the open call. The 10 participating poets were
Achyut Paudel, Anu Shahi Thakuri, Arya Kharel, Barsha Bhandari, Birat Bijay Ojha, Nabin
Karki, Rupesh Bhattarai, Sammy, Sandeep Shrestha, and Sudip Wagle.
The event also highlighted the importance of inclusivity and representation, with poets
addressing LGBTQIA+ issues and gendered suffering through their performances. The night
was an emotional rollercoaster, with topics ranging from personal struggles to triumphant
declarations of identity and self-worth.
The program concluded with Gautam Dhimal and Garrett E. Wilkerson distributing
certificates to the 10 participating poets, honoring their remarkable contributions to the
evening. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a selection of post-event snacks and
beverages, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of interaction and connection. The gathering
offered a unique opportunity for public relations, as celebrities, diplomats, actors, performers,
television personalities, media reporters, writers, poets, and artists of various genres mingled
and shared their experiences. The evening not only celebrated artistic expression but also
strengthened bonds within the creative and queer community.
The Gehendra Dhimal Foundation remains committed to creating platforms that nurture
artistic expression and foster deeper community connections. We extend our heartfelt
gratitude to our partners: The Poet Idol, Club 10X, MORPH Magazine, Kalakarmi, Location
Nepal, and Trexmin Studios, for their invaluable support in making A Night to Remember an
unforgettable success.
For more information about the Foundation and its work, visit www.dhimal.org
Comment