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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