Balanda Rai

Abhisek Bhadra is a Nepali composer, arranger, pianist, and music educator known for his influential role in shaping contemporary jazz and modern music education in Nepal. Born and raised in Kathmandu, he began his musical journey in the local jazz and rock scene, winning early recognition through competitions such as Rockheads and Jazzmandu’s Jazz for the Next Generation, where he also received the Most Outstanding Musician Award. He later pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging at Codarts, Rotterdam Conservatorium, which expanded his international career and led him to perform and write for ensembles such as Voodrish, Dichter, and the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.His performances span prestigious venues including Paradiso Amsterdam, Splendor Amsterdam, De Doelen Rotterdam, and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, along with appearances on national TV and radio platforms like DWDD and 3VOOR12. A versatile creator, he works across jazz, contemporary music, electro‑acoustic experimentation, and mainstream hip‑hop.Returning to Nepal, Bhadra became the Academic Director at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory (KJC) and the Artistic Director of the Katjazz International Music Festival, where he has played a pivotal role in developing South Asia’s jazz education ecosystem. He continues to compose, arrange, and perform actively with leading Nepali bands including Jooni, Jindabaad, Cadenza Collective, and Le Piro, while mentoring the next generation of Nepali musicians.

Natikaji, (Amrit Lal Shrestha) born in dec 25 1925 in Lalitpur, Nepal, is revered as one of the most influential music directors in Nepali history. A prodigy from a musical Newar family, he began playing harmonium at age seven and later joined Radio Nepal in 1950, where he composed over 2000 songs across genres. His works include timeless classics like Marna Baru Garho Hunna, Nepali Hami, and Phoolko Thunga Bagera Gayo. He also directed music for more than 15 operas and several Nepali films, including Man Ko Bandh and Sindoor. Known for blending classical depth with emotional resonance, Natikaji earned prestigious honors such as the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu and Chinnalata Geet Puraskar. His melodies continue to shape Nepal’s musical identity, making him a cultural icon. He passed away in nov 22003, leaving behind a legacy that still echoes in the hearts of Nepali music lovers.

Kobid Bazra is a Nepali singer‑songwriter and music producer known for leading Bajra Creation Records, the studio founded by his father, composer Biju Bajra. Active across composition, arrangement, vocal performance, and modern studio production, he has worked on popular tracks such as Timro Yaad, Aaudai Jadai, Mann Bhari, Sanjha Ko Jun, and several collaborations with emerging independent artists. His production style blends clean contemporary pop with the melodic sensibility of his family’s musical legacy, making him a sought‑after arranger for both commercial and indie projects. With his dual identity as a vocalist and producer, Kobid Bazra represents a new generation of Nepali music creators shaping the sound of modern Nepali pop while carrying forward a respected studio tradition.

Ustad Bhairav Bahadur Thapa (1925 June 30 AD / 1982 Ashar 16 BS, Kuleshwor, Kathmandu) was a pioneering Nepali composer, vocalist, and mentor whose influence shaped the foundation of modern Nepali music. He introduced and guided many of Nepal’s celebrated singers, lyricists, and composers including the legendary Tara Devi into their musical journeys.Thapa began his professional musical journey around 2005 BS (1948/49 AD), marking the start of a prolific career. Over the decades, he composed music for nearly 1,000 songs and recorded vocals for more than 500 songs, establishing the artistic and technical standards of Nepali modern music.Alongside music, he performed in numerous Radio Nepal dramas and acted in films such as Hijo Aaja Bholi, Aama, and Manko Baadh. His daughter Bhuvan Thapa, the lead actress of Nepal’s first feature film Aama, was also a singer with around fifty recorded songs.In 2022 BS (1965 AD), during the Grand Music Conference held in Kathmandu, King Mahendra honored him with the prestigious title “Ustad.” Ustad Bhairav Bahadur Thapa passed away on 2039 Poush 18 BS (1983 January 2 AD), leaving behind an enduring legacy in Nepali music and performing arts.