Maha Shivaratri 2009

The major Hindu celebration for this year:

Maha Shivaratri 2009
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Namaste, a popular fusion-rock band harking back to the 90s, is set to rock the capital after a five year hiatus on Shivaratri. The Maha shivaratsi World Music Festival 2009 will see more than three dozen singers, musicians and bands perform on the same stage alongside the Pokhareli band on February 23 at Bhrikuti Mandap premises.

Former Rastafarian Ishwar Gurung will “try and bring as many music enthusiasts as possible together on the day of Shiva, an artist himself”.

The singer argued that the reason it will be a world music event, is because the audience will be able to enjoy different genres of music from around the world, including pop, rock, hip-hop and “metallic-dead” from the same platform.

The frontman of the rock band said Japanese bands such as Kinta Kunte, Jah Taboo and Pilater will perform alongside them, and an American soloist known as Dan will perform with a Nepali instrumental band at the 2009 Shivaratri.

Nepal’s oldest rock group Prism will attempt another reunion at the Shivaratri 2009 concert. Prism has not played together for several years. Even though the band does not play any original songs, the veterans are credited for popularizing Western rock music in Kathmandu. Chitwan’s favorite - The Shadows - will face decade-old The Axe. Nepal’s first female rocker Abhaya and the Steam Injuns will try to warm up the cold day of Shivaratri. The ever-static Cobweb will most likely play their Maryo ni Maryo one more time. Teacher-rockers Mt 8848, guitar performer Anil Shahi and Maya Mantra, Stone AMP and Saayas will all come together to rock the capital, where the outdoor concerts has declined with even less crowd turnout.

Organizers hope this Shivaratri 2009 event will mark a revival of Nepali music. “The idea is to enjoy music while the musicians learn from each other,” Gurung said.

Other Shivaratri 2009 lineups include Om Bikram Bista, Nima Rumba, Sabin Rai, Anil Singh, Mingma Sherpa, Mausami Gurung, Reshma Sunuwar, Nepsydaz, Sugam Pokharel, Avinash Ghising, and a few other yet to be confirmed solo singers.

Maha Shivaratri 2009