Sikkim saw a large live music event in Gangtok on November 1, when the concert "Nepathya Live in Sikkim – Let's Get Loud: Celebrate Sikkim" drew a full house of more than 15,000 people to Paljor Stadium. According to the organisers, the show is a notable step for the state's growing concert and creative economy.
Key points
- More than 15,000 people attended the Nepathya concert at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok, on November 1.
- The show was postponed by a day because of bad weather. It was first planned for October 31.
- Organisers say about 4,652 attendees came from outside Sikkim, and more than 10,348 were from within the state.
- The organisers describe it as the first full-house open-air stadium show by a Nepali band outside Nepal.
Audience from many places
The concert was originally set for October 31. Adverse weather forced the organisers to move it by one day. Visitors who had travelled from outside Sikkim stayed patient, changed their travel plans where needed and returned to the stadium on November 1.
Based on post-event figures compiled by the organisers, the audience came from 19 Indian states, 2 Union Territories and 6 countries. The organisers see this as an example of people travelling to Sikkim mainly for a large cultural and musical event.
The performance
Nepathya, led by frontman Amrit Gurung, kept the crowd engaged through the night. The band mixes Nepali folk traditions with rock music, and thousands in the stadium sang along. Songs associated with the band include "Resham," "Jomsomai Bazaarma," "Bhedako Oon Jasto," "Chhekyo Chhekyo" and "Taal Ko Pani."
Based on its review of available historical records, PVE Network, the organiser, says this was the first full-house open-air stadium performance by a Nepali band outside Nepal.
Why it matters for Sikkim
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) has spoken on several public occasions about the potential of the concert economy and creative economy. He has linked culture, tourism, creativity and opportunities for youth to the state's future. PVE Network says these remarks inspired the event.
The organisers say thousands of visitors stayed in hotels and homestays, used taxis and other local transport, ate at restaurants and cafés, and shopped in local markets. They add that the one-day delay led many visitors to extend or rearrange their stay, which added to activity in the hospitality, transport and food sectors.
Bikesh Kayastha, Founding Director of PVE Network and Head of Event, said the chief minister's speeches inspired the team to take this direction. "We wanted to demonstrate Sikkim's potential as a cultural and emerging musical tourism destination, and what happened at Paljor Stadium has shown that the opportunity is real," he said. He added that a full stadium and 4,652 outside visitors send a message to organisers in India and abroad that Sikkim is ready for major live events, and that he believes more event companies will now consider the state.
Organisers and support
The event was held under the patronage of Chief Patron Sanjeet Kharel, with Tenzing Dorjee Bhutia as Chief Coordinator. The organisers said an event of this size was possible because of coordination among several stakeholders.
