74-Year-Old Mira Rana Celebrates Six Decades of Musical Journey Through Solo Concert

Kathmandu: Renowned singer and musician Mira Rana’s solo musical evening was held grandly in the capital on Sunday. At the age of 74, Rana revisited her six-decade-long musical journey through a selection of her popular songs, performing before an enthusiastic audience.

The Mira Rana Solo Musical Evening, held at the Nepal Academy in Kamaladi, Kathmandu, featured Rana performing popular songs that she had sung and composed. The event also highlighted different phases of her musical career and collaborations, with several prominent singers performing some of her well-known songs.

Shambhujeet Baskota, Rambhakta Jojiju, Krishnagopal Shrestha, Yogendra Upadhyay, Chhiring Bhutia, Kapil Lohani, cancer survivors Tara Thapa and Sangeeta Thapa Shakya, Nisha Deshar, Rupi Singh, Mandavi Tripathi, Sabina Karki, Itu Jojiju, Shital Thapa and Yunisha Deshar, among others, performed Mira Rana’s songs. Manohar Sunam served as the music conductor.

Hosted by Prakash Sayami, the programme featured Rana performing songs she had sung with legendary singer Narayan Gopal, including “Timi Deu Ya Nadeu,” “Mero Jowan Laijau,” “Aankhama Kasaiko Tasbir Basechha,” and “Bainiko Daya Chha Bhane.”

She also performed “Nachdeu Maichyang,” which she sang with Shambhujeet Baskota, as well as “Madal Ghanaghan Ghankaun Ki” and “Lek Phulyo Laligurans,” associated with her collaboration with Kumar Basnet.

Other popular solo songs by Rana, including “Makhamali Cholo Chahindaina,” “Maat Chadheko Sanjh,” “Nashalu Raat,” “Mero Pauma Aaja,” “Samd Sadashiva,” “Birsera Maile Feri,” “Aajsamma Jasari Bachera Aayen,” and “Mero Phoollai Basanta Bhayo,” were also performed during the evening.

A cancer survivor who lost her husband, Uday Jung Rana, to cancer, Mira Rana established the Mira Rana Cancer Society with the objective of supporting cancer patients. The solo musical evening was organized to raise funds through the society and extend assistance to people affected by cancer.

The programme was attended as chief guest by Information and Communication Technology Minister Bikram Timalsina. During the event, the organizing society announced that singer Kumar Basnet and musicians Shambhujeet Baskota and Deepak Jangam would be honored. On the occasion, an organization also honored Mira Rana for her contribution to Nepali music, presenting her with a cash award of Rs. 50,000.

The solo musical evening brought together some of the most memorable songs from Mira Rana’s six-decade-long musical journey on a single stage, celebrating her contribution to Nepali music while also supporting the campaign to assist cancer patients.

Photo: Badri Thapa