Nepali singer Madan Gopal pays tribute to Reshma at World Culture Festival in Karachi

KARACHI: The World Culture Festival in Karachi turned into a celebration of shared heritage when Nepali singer Madan Gopal took the stage to honour Pakistan’s legendary folk icon Reshma with a moving rendition of Lambi Judai.

Clad in a glittering, boat-shaped Nepali cap inspired by the Himalayas and a T-shirt patterned with traditional motifs, Madan captured attention not just with his appearance but with the sincerity of his voice.

His version of Lambi Judai blended emotion and melody, reflecting the timeless bond of South Asian musical traditions.

“It was in the hills, about fifteen kilometres from Kathmandu, surrounded by forests and cool winds, that this song came to me as if from the sky,” Madan shared. “At that moment, I knew I wanted to perform it in Pakistan  in Reshma Ji’s land.”

This marked Madan’s second visit to Pakistan, a trip he said was inspired by the warmth of its people. Ahead of the event, he had rearranged Lambi Judai into a medley, weaving in his own musical touches as a tribute to Reshma’s enduring legacy.

The evening also featured a Nepali folk song and a unique Urdu–Nepali fusion number composed by Pakistani musician Imad Rehman. “When Madan told me about his plan to honour Reshma Ji, I was thrilled,” said Imad. “She’s a treasure of our region  her voice carries the soul of our soil.”

Reflecting on his approach to music, Madan said, “There are two kinds of singers — the trained ones and the mitti ke singer, the singers of the soil. The latter sing not from technique, but from the heart.”

Joining him on stage was Mah Rukh, an emerging Pakistani vocalist who recently won first place in a Karachi Arts Council music competition. She described the collaboration as a learning experience: “Reshma Ji is incomparable  you can’t match her voice, but you can honour her spirit.”

As Madan’s performance filled the air, many in the audience were transported back to the 1980s, when filmmaker Subhash Ghai introduced Lambi Judai to the world through his film Hero, turning Reshma into a household name far beyond Pakistan’s borders.