The Nepali folk rock band Nepathya performed to a packed audience at the Manhattan Center in New York on Saturday, with vocalist and lyricist Amrit Gurung singing his hit songs as well as newer compositions.

The audience of about 1,500 New Yorkers were mostly people from Nepal applauded loudly with the opening song, Ama. The head of the Nepali delegate to the UN General Assembly Foreign Minister  Prakash Saran Mahat and Nepal’s Ambassador to the US Arjun Karki also attended the show.

He then went on to play evergreen numbers like Bheda Ko Oon Jasto, Lampate Surati and Chari Maryo. He also sang Nepathya newly- released songs, Rama and Yoshiko Pani.

As usual, Amrit Gurung peppered the intervals between songs with short messages about the situation back in Nepal.

“In this race of establishing our ethnic identity, have we ever thought about our national identity being at risk ? What I proudly say is – I am a Nepali first and then I am equally proud to be a Gurung,” he said to loud applause.

As the night advanced with Resham, Taal ko pani, Amrit took some time in between and said. “You all live here in the center of the world, whatever legal status you may possess is not an issue. I am sure you are still proud to be a Nepali. Do contribute to your motherland. Keep her in your thought and wishes,”

Between other songs, Gurung said: “We have fought long for freedom and democracy. Unfortunately, we still live in a state of fear. In this struggle to fight against this fear, we are lucky to have few people with high integrity leading their way. If we cannot join the fight we can at least support the cause. Let us stand behind such people of high integrity fighting to make a state free of fear for our children.”

The closing number, as with most Nepathya concerts was Rato ra Chandra Surya, which has become a alternative national anthem of Nepal.

On Tuesday, the band headed to San Francisco for another concert on 1 October.