Nepathya concert in Gangtok

Nepali folk-rock band Nepathya played Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, Sikkim, on Sunday night, November 1, a show Gangtok residents called historic; Nepali Times put the crowd at 5,000. According to Onlinekhabar and Setopati, the concert had been set for Saturday, October 31, and was moved a day because Cyclone Arnab raised the risk of rain. The local organizers, Positive Vibes, said it followed nine months of work, and fans travelled from Mizoram and Bhutan to attend.

On stage, lead singer Amrit Gurung recalled the relief Sikkim sent when floods struck Rasuwa and said he hoped the bond would last. He also voiced concern that fewer young people in Sikkim read and write Nepali. After Gangtok, the band was scheduled to play Itahari on November 4 and Charali, Jhapa, on November 7, then return to Kathmandu, with shows in several districts after Tihar and a tour of Australia to follow.