30th Basibiyalo exchanges cultural extravaganza

SNGTAM: The 30th edition of the famed monthly literary and cultural meet of Basibiyalo at Singtam added a new chapter in their progress with 12-year-old Ketan Mangla, from Rangpo reciting a poem in Hindi language and Kashmira Pradhan, a teenager singer from Gangtok rendering a heart touching English version of classic Celine Dion’s title track from the film Titanic. 

Popular singer and anchor Remanti Rai from Gangtok made her first public appearance at Singtam as a singer, along with a couple of new female debutants in the singing field. Sujata Chettri and Melody Mukhia from Singtam made their first presentation in front of audiences. Also performing on the day were Prakash Sundas, Namchi Mahotsav 2010 winner from Gangtok, Gita Sharma, singer of the soon to be released Prashant Tamang Nepali movie “Angalo Yo Maya Ko” from Singtam, Sumitra Shanker, top five of Namchi Mahatsov 2010 from Namchi and the sisters’ duo of Kashmira and Aayushi Pradhan from Gangtok.

Ranjita Pradhan, Kavita Pariyar, BB Chettri, Raj K Shrestha, and Ketan Mangla completed the Nepali poetry recitation while Monshika Rai, Arju Pariyar, Upasana, and Yankee Tamang entertained the gathered crowd with their dancing abilities.

The highlight of the day-long program held at East Point SSS premises at Golitar, Singtam was the first time recitation of the Hindi poem by Ketan Mangla, son of Sanjay Agarwal, Journalist from Rangpo, Kashmira Pradhan a student of PNGSS singing the first English song at the Basibiyalo meet and honouring of Shital Pradhan. Shital Pradhan, a member of Basibiyalo from Singtam was honoured and congratulated with khadas by the distinguished guests of the day for his two bronze medal performances at the recently held National Philatelic Exhibition held in Delhi.

The 30^th edition also marked the last Basibiyalo function for the year 2010; a round-over of the year was presented by Mohan Pradhan ‘Neeraj’. In his speech he read about the progress made by Basibiyalo over the short period and with more and more people outside Singtam wanting to be part of the group speaks of the volume of standard, it has created, told Pradhan in his speech. The success of Basibiyalo lies in the performances of child artists who sing and dance on this platform, he added.  Bijay Kumar Subba, a renowned Nepali literary figure was the Chief Guest on the occasion that also had the presence of personalities from different fields. Those included Sawan Pradhan, RP Poudhyal, Raj K Shrestha, Ambika Pokhrel, Susan Lepcha, Radha Pradhan, BB Chettri, and others.

Ram Naresh Prasad, Singtam Councilor was provided with the responsibility of the “Gharpaatti” of the 30th Basibiyalo meet. Prasad in his speech wished for the swift progress of the Basibiyalo team and congratulated them for making their presence felt in developing a better society. Bijay Kumar Subba in his speech expressed his happiness towards the Basibiyalo team for making a better platform for the younger generation that would make a better future. Talents are the mirror of society and with Basibiyalo making efforts to a better society, each one should take lessons from here, Subba added. Other persons to speak on the occasion were Ambika Pokhrel, RP Poudhyal, BB Chettri, and TB Pradhan.