2nd July 2007, California USA –
A pop album ultimate Target and Samjhana released in USA, on the historic and 25th anniversary of Associations of American Nepalese (ANA) a most popular and largest Nepalese association in the country held at city of Hollywood, Los Angeles. The association celebrated its silver jubilee program in a vibrant way at west in Hotel, California starting from Friday June 29 to 1st July 2007. On the first day of the program the event took place at Logan Hall of Westin Airport Hotel at Los Angeles. On the occasion more than four thousand Nepalese were presented gathered from all over Nepal and distinguished guests from Nepal and even from Australia and Canada. On the occasion Nitesh Raj Panta has brought his film Guruba in Australia, the film is edited, directed and produced by Mr. Panta himself.
ANA’s silver jubilee program was graced by Deputy Speaker Chitra Lekha Yadav, Dr. Kulchandra Gautam, Deputy Ambassador Mr. Kali Prashad Pokhrel and many distinguished guest from different field and profession. The program was divided into different categories including live concert from well known singers, musicians from Nepal. Among them Nyuh Bajracharya, Sugam Pokhrel, Dipesh Kishor Bhattarai, Deepak Bajracharya and well known Radio Nepal’s anchor Navraj Lamsal were invited from Nepal.
On the special literary session of the association, lyricist, poet and Radio Nepal host and officer Mr. Navraj Lamsal released two albums ultimate Target a real rocking pop musical album and another album Samjhana, modern song. First Album’s lyricist Dhruva Thapa lives in Berkeley California and other two lyricists Basu Dhakal and Anup Srivastav live in Davis California. Each lyricist has contributed with three songs each and the music director of the album Ultimate Target is Rahul Pradhan and the singer of the album is Chrish K.C. The album is produced and marketed by United Music Pvt. Ltd, Kathmandu Nepal. Another album Samjhana’s lyricist Shekhar Dhungel also lives in California. In his album different singers have given their vocal and composed by different Music Director.
The program was hosted by Mr. Rohini Sharma, Engineering Manager for Phelps Dodge moderated the Poetry Session. Mr. Sharma is one of INLS’s ten Trustees, is also ANA’s Life Member.
The program was well attended by literary lovers and friends that included dignitaries such as Honorable Acting Nepal Ambassador to USA, Mr. Kali Prasad Pokhrel, Deputy Chief of Nepal UN Mission, Mr. Maduban Poudel, Nepali folk music singer Prem Raja Mahat, ANA/s founding President Dr. Hari Sharma, a popular artist and poet Karna Maskey, Nepalese association of Northern California’s President Dikendra Maskey, President of Mother land Nepal Mr. Anil Pandey and another popular businessman of Davis Mr. Durga Dahal and various other professionals like Dr. Engineers, IT Professionals and true aspirant of music and literature personal were present coming from different states of America and many others. It was one of the premier events for the day that took Los Angeles Nepali Community to a pleasant surprise and made every attendee proud of their Nepali root and heritage. The program also proved that where ever we live we are always rooted with our mother land, as said by lyrist Basu Dhakal, “we are living here in USA, it doesn’t mean that we have forgotten our culture language and literature, it is our responsibility to keep it alive and as a result we are able to publish many books, Musical albums from here too. It is our contribution to our country Nepal.” Another lyricist, freelance journalist and poet Dhruva Thapa rightly remarked that we are encouraging our young talents from our level best as a result we are able to bring out this album, living here in USA. The music is composed in Nepal and singer Chrish KC has given his true melodious vocal to all the songs, in future too we have plan to launch another album covering various singers, musicians and music company. We try to encourage and search new talents in future too.
The Program was of two parts first part was Poetry session and second part Music album release. Poetry session has been a staple feature of ANA’s Annual convention for the past 15 years and the age-old tradition was no different this year than preceding years. The event had good press coverage. Radio Nepal, The Sagarmatha Television of Washington D.C., Vishwasandesh Nepali News Paper of Virginia, DC Nepal, Nepal Horizon and others provided live coverage with audio, photo and video of the LA events for the mass consumption by Nepali at motherland, USA and worldwide who were not able to attend the convention. While expressing releasing note Mr. Navraj Lamsal said that in his entire career he has composed more than hundreds of songs, poems and released in due time but this is his first time to release a Music album from his hand. He added my first work in Nepal would be to broadcast this album’s song and that day I will call its release day because only on that time many people will be able to listen this songs live broadcasting from Radio Nepal. He further added that he felt really happy to know that many poets, writers and song writers are here in USA who wants to contribute from their level best to uprise Nepali music world.
The Poetry Session started with children’s recitals. There were over 16 recitals that included number of distinguish guest poets in-between competitors recitals. A melodious and patriotic poem by Nepal Radio Artist Mr. Nabaraj Lamsal made the audience feel that they were in real Nepal. Similarly other guest poets were Basu Dhakal, Kamala Prasai, Dhruva Thapa and many more. Towards the end of program, Karna Maskey from Nepal delighted attendees with poem recital from his book “Ritindai Aasu ko Thopa”. Following the completion of poetry recital round for adults (18 years & old) and children (Below 18 years), Dr. Hari Sharma sponsored the adult prizes whereas Dr. Amar Giri sponsored the children prizes. Cash prizes were awarded for the winner.
