The Thursday night’s episode of Nepal Idol saw the top nine contestants perform folk songs in the Gala Round, in an effort to impress the judges and the audiences to make their way to the Top 8. While Nhyoo Bajracharya could not be present for some reason, there were two guest judges – Komal Oli and Lochan Rijal.

The episode dedicated to folk music was opened by a beautiful performance by Lochan Rijal, followed by Nishan Bhattarai’s performance of Kumar Basnet’s ‘Chhori Bhanda Aama Taruni’. Sujata Pandey, Pratap Das, Sandhya Joshi and Ulson Shrestha were the next to perform on the stage. Buddha Lama then sang Saroj Gopal Bajracharya’s ‘Deurali Ukali Chadhera’; and Pramila Rai was next who performed Ciney Gurung’s ‘Ke Ko Maala’. Sagar Ale’s performance of Raju Gurung’s ‘Trisuli Pari Salaijo’ earned him a standing ovation from judges Indira Joshi and Kali Prasad Baskota.

And then came Suraj Thapa.

Clad in Daura-Suruwal and Dhaka Topi; unlike the other eight contestants; he was sitting during his performance as he was playing a Sarangi as well.

The performance also earned him the title of ‘Performer of the Week’, along with a Yamaha guitar.

Dharma Raj Gandhava was so delighted by the performance that he felt like “his late great-uncle himself was present on the stage.”

And of course, the performance earned Suraj a place in Top 8, that was announced during the episode aired on Friday.

You can watch the beautiful performance HERE.