KATHMANDU, Jan. 8: Mukti Shakya, who is probably the only remaining active member of the fabulous pop singers of Kathmandu’s pop scene of the 70s, has been working to revive traditional charm in modern Nepali music.

Having badly missed the original appeal of Nepali music while in Spain with his Spanish wife, Mukti returned to Nepal in the early 90s after about a decade in the Iberian country. Nostalgia of Jaisideval and the Basantapur dabali in mid-town Kathmandu and the sounds of temple bells kept echoing in his ears, elbowing Mukti to return to Nepal and leave the material comfort of Europe behind. He then formed a band Mukti & Revival with the objective of pumping traditional taste in modern Nepali songs. He was associated with a Spanish band when he decided to return to quench his hunger for Nepali music.

His first album Kalankiko Jam in 2000 brought him instant fame, with Chaubandi Cholo firmly establishing itself in the popularity chart for months and among the new breed of pop singers. Greatly heartened by the success of his first album two years ago, Mukti released his second album Bujhaideu amidst a function at the Hotel Vajra today.

The 12 songs in the second album speak of frustrations of the modern man in the contemporary world and the loneliness experienced by a Nepali in a foreign land. Some of the songs speak the language of human tragedy and suffering. Three of his songs were recorded in Spain. Some songs have original folk flavour. One of his songs is in Newari, his mother tongue.

Members of his four-member band include Binod Shrestha, Roshan Kansakar, Robin Shrestha and himself. The band has staged performances inside the country and abroad. The lyricists in the album include Newari writer Basu Pasa, Sneha Sayami and Prakash Deep, while some lyrics he composed by himself. The album is being produced and marketed by Santana Recording. Mukti and his band will be performing in Hong Kong in mid-2003 and will travel West late this year and in early 2004.