This week I am listening to Mukti and Revival’s debut album, ‘Kalankiko Jam’, released in the year 2000. I have a deep attachment to this album, as the songs make me reminisce about my teenage years in Canada, when music was the way I kept in touch with my Nepali roots. Listening to this album also transports me back to the year 2008 in Kathmandu, when I was playing a series of local opening gigs for Mukti and Revival and Looza as I worked on my first album, ‘Sabai Thikai Huncha’.
Nights spent in Bhumi in Lazimpat while listening to Mukti Dai and Looza play were inspiring, and opening for their sets was such a huge learning and growing experience for me. I remember being in awe of Mukti dai’s charisma and personality as he performed. His performances were a blessing for us young musicians to witness, and they gave us all something to aspire towards. I also have a fond memory of meeting Pavit dai from Kutumba for the very first time in Bhumi during those sets, and a very cute memory of 18 year old me shyly signing my very first paper napkin as a keepsake for Pavit dai📝. I don’t think any words will be able to express the gratitude that I feel as I type this today 🥹. #thankyouforbelievinginme
As Malcolm Gladwell so eloquently argues in his book Outliers, why “the self-made" person is a myth and what really drives success for performers in every profession is frequently a chain of fortunate circumstances, exceptional opportunities, and other outside variables that are beyond our control... I will forever be grateful for the opportunities bestowed upon me by the generations before me, and I hope that I will be able to do the same for generations to come.
Listen to the original here: