A lot of water has gone under the bagmati bridge since last winter. And with the monsoon rains washing away most of our toxic waste, it just seemed that the metropolis might remain a bit bearable for a little while longer. The truth is that human memory is short lived. Memories that are unpleasant to us are conveniently swept beneath the layers of our labarynthine consciousness. Only to resurface when we last expect them, to stun us like a cold slap on the face, leaving us with that ever too familiar expression of 'how could I have forgotten.'

Street kids used to be quite a frequent and familiar sight in Kathmandu till recently. Mostly seen around Thamel, moving around like zombies in groups, always high on glue, which they sniffed off of plastic bags, they reminded one of the lack of proper rehabilitation of children post the 11 year of conflict. They are still around, but their number definitely seems to have decreased drastically. I am not sure if this is as a result of the efforts of social care workers or because of something else.

It is not presumptuous to say that there isn't a single Nepali who has not heard of the Nepali rock band 1974 AD. With a decade or more history of rocking Nepali music enthusiasts, both in and out of the country, the band has been able to establish itself as a van-guard of rock music in this tiny Himalayan nation.

Nirakar Yakthumba is a bassist with the band and has been operating Moksh Live, a live music bar and lounge, in Kathmandu, and the place to go see the band perform live regularly. The popularity of the band notwithstanding, Moksh Live has been able to carve a niche among both its regulars and the occasional visitors for its live music, wood fired pizzas and as a casual relaxing hangout, out of its old location inside an alley just south of the UN complex at Pulchowk, Kathmandu.

If you have not visited Moksh at its new location, at the north-west corner of St. Mary's School, I am sure you will, sooner or later. As you enter the parking lot, and look towards your right, you will be greeted by the facade of a modernistic architectural delight that transports you instantly to somewhere in, say, Sweden, where one would be more likely to find functionalist architecture.

In fact, the edifice that houses the new Moksh focuses more on functionality, with its straight angles, minimally decorated concrete surfaces and a lot of open spaces, at the expense of extravagant aesthetics. The two storied building features a large hall for larger concerts on the ground floor, a smaller hall for its regular music shows on the first floor, and the bar and sitting spaces along the terraces, with glass and wooden louvre walls, on both the floors. The functionalism of the building, does not, however, detract from its subtly captivating aestheticism.

On a busy weekend night, one might choose to relax on the manicured lawn, around a fire, order fire wood baked pizzas from the oven at the corner of the lawn and drinks from the bar above, watching stars above or the party people inside. Or, one might choose to stay inside the smoke free hall watching '74, as the band is popularly known, perform live while enjoying ones favorite drink, tapping one's feet on the wood-paneled floors to the rhythm of their rock tunes.

The menu for now remains unchanged, although I am told a change is in the planning. A new espresso machine awaits to serve the coffee lovers among you for your afternoon breaks. And with the winter ahead, you will find plenty of sun to bask in here at the new Moksh.

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If you are not already a registered user with Mapmandu, with the feature "Connect with Facebook", you will not have to register to participate as a user on Mapmandu. All you have to do is click on the "Connect with Facebook" button at the top right, below the search block. Once you click on the button, a pop-up page (you might have to enable pop-ups with your browser) will ask you for your Facebook login email and password. Mapmandu does not store your Facebook password.

It is with great pleasure that the Savant Team announces the release of a new version of Mapmandu. With this launch, we hope to serve our community even better, while promising to continuing to strive for that excellence which we would like to be associated with and are proud of. Ever since the release of our first version, our users and well wishers have commended us well for our efforts toward creating a useful resource for the community, it is our strong belief that you will all find the new version even more exciting.

If you've been to the old Moksh Live at Pulchowk, you will find an uncanny resemblance with the House of Music at Thamel. The main hall at the joint is laid out similar to the old Moksh, with the bar by the door, the stage at the other end of the hall, and bench seatings along with side walls. Perhaps, Sanjay Shrestha, a percussionist with the band 1974 AD, and one of the joint's parters, wished to bring with him to Thamel the indelible memories of the good times he had had at the old Moksh. Perhaps, the arrangments just work the best for a live music bar. However, the joint is definitely becoming THE live bar in town. In less than three months since their soft opening, the bar has managed to host a number of renowned Nepali bands and musicians, and was even one of the hosts to this year's Jazzmandu.

Located centrally in the city, away from the hustle and bustle, but still at the outskirts of Thamel, the bar features live bands to a packed house every Friday. If the crowd is not your thing but you are still up for some live music, drop by on Saturdays for their house band or jam sessions. And if you have had a long day in the weekdays, come sing away your frustrations on Tuesdays for a karaoke session of your favorite tunes. The bar even features a projector so that your friends can join along with you. Wednesdays are the open mic nights, with in-house musical instruments, for you or your up and coming band to show them what you got.

As it is, the house features a limited list, but delectable none the less, of snacks, with chicken quesadilla being my favorite. Top that off with your favorite concoction from the bar, made to your taste by the friendly guys behind the bar.

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