Kathmandu, May 28: The Royal Nepalese Embassy, London in collaboration with London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) organised a musical programme recently, supported by the Nepalese Tourism Board.

The Music of the Himalayas performed by Sur Sudha, a Nepalese musical group, musician Anil Shahi, and other Nepali artistes in London featured Nepalese folk music and folk dances, according to a press release issued by the Royal Nepalese Embassy in London. Besides, octogenarian Nepali poet Madhav Ghimire recited one of his creations.

The cultural evening held at the Brunei Gallery of SOAS was attended by about 300 British guests including parliamentarians, high officials from the British Foreign Office, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corp., travel/tour operators, media, and art and music critics.

Welcoming the guests, Nepalese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Dr. Singha Bahadur Basnyat said that Nepal was a world of its own offering great attraction to the foreign visitors with enchanting natural beauty and rich and diverse music, art, culture and literature.

Basnyat also highlighted about Nepal’s political system of multiparty democracy within the framework of the constitutional monarchy and the liberal economic policy to promote export trade and tourism as well as to encourage foreign investment especially in harnessing huge hydropower potentials.

Lauding the contribution made by Sur Sudha to promoting the Nepalese music world-wide, Basnyat noted that Sur Sudha artistes were performing the role of Nepal’s cultural ambassadors abroad.

SOAS Director Tim Lankester said that such events would significantly help the foreigners understand Nepal’s unique art, culture and music.

Tourism posters and CDs were also displayed in the programme partially supported by Himalayan Bank, Nepal.