Ani Choying, other Nepalese Musicians felicitated in Portland, USA

By Dr Rabin Man Shaky

Portland, June 15 (Nepal Oregon News): A program was organized Wednesday,  June 14, 2017 by Nepa Chhen, a non-profit Nepali community organization based in Portland, at Nekusing Memorial Theater,(US West Coast Taekwondo Hollywood) Portland to honor a cultural team from Nepal which consisted of Ani Drolma Choying, a spiritual singer and Nhyoo Bajracharya, a noted music composer.

Nepa Chhen president Rajesh Maharjan with Ani Choying

Other members of the cultural delegation are Raman Maharjan, a flute player and Gopal Rasaili, a guitarist.

It is to be noted that Ani was appointed UNICEF Nepal's first ever national ambassador in April 2014.

NAO president Ganga Sharma and Ani Choying

Under the theme of "Unity and Hope", the team is planning to perform a concert "Healing Melodies from the Himalayas" at the Central Luthran Church, Portland on June 18, 2017.

President of Nepali Association of Oregon Ms Ganga Sharma, president of NRN-NCC-USA Oregon chapter and renowned taekwondo guru Diwakar Maharjan and president of Nepa Chhen Rajesh Maharjan felicitated the team members by wrapping Khada on them.

Similarly, Ms Helen Appel of Nritya Mandal Mahavihara, Portland and others also felicitated the team members by wrapping the Khadas.

Ani Choying singing during the event

Addressing the program, Buddhist rockstar nun Ani Choying said that her team is spreading word of wisdom of Lord Buddha through spiritual music.

Lord Buddha was born in Nepal and we are proud of this, she said adding "Rather than harping on it, this is the time for the Nepalese to do some soul-searching and ask themselves how far we have translated and implemented the Buddhist philosophy into our day to day practical life."

Speaking on the occasion, noted musician Nhyoo Bajracharya who is also one of the judges of the Nepal Idol, a Nepali reality TV singing competition, underlined the need for internationalizing the Nepalese music and songs.

On the occasion, Ani Choying gave a spirited rendition of "Phulko Aankhama" and some other songs while flautist Raman Maharjan played a musical tune of "Rajamati" together with guitarist Gopal Rasaili.

Dinner was served at the end of the program which was attended by about 70 Nepalese Portlanders and some American guests as well. 

 Among them were the office bearers and representatives of Nepa Chhen, Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, Nepali Association of Oregon, NRNA USA Oregon chapter and Nepal Oregon News.

The Nepa Chhen program was conducted by its advisor Daya Shakya.

Nepa Chhen advisor Daya Shakya speaking at the event

NRNA Oregon Chapter president Diwakar Maharjan greeting musician Nhyoo Bajracharya




***Portland based journalist Dr Rabin Man Shakya is the former associate editor of The Rising Nepal.