Hercules Basnet

Manohari Singh (1931–2010), born in Kolkata to a Nepalese Bhusal family, is celebrated as one of South Asia’s finest woodwind and orchestral arrangers. Though globally known for his work with R.D. Burman, his Nepali heritage and musical upbringing in a Nepali household shaped his tonal sensibility, melodic phrasing, and emotional depth — qualities that strongly resonated with Nepali film composers.His mastery of alto saxophone, flute, piccolo, clarinet, mandolin, and bansuri made him a sought‑after session musician whose sound influenced the orchestral palette of Nepali film music in the 1980s–1990s. Many Nepali composers — especially those working in Mumbai and Kolkata studios — relied on his phrasing style, brass‑woodwind layering, and melodic counterlines as a reference point.Although he did not score many Nepali films directly, his arrangement style, brass band roots, and Nepali musical lineage helped shape the cross‑border sound that Nepali cinema adopted during its modern era. His work as part of the Basu–Manohari duo also inspired Nepali arrangers who studied Indian studio orchestration.

Chandra Raj Sharma was a prominent Nepali musician and composer, celebrated for his contributions to classical and modern Nepali music. Born on Falgun 24, 2000 BS (1943 AD) in Maitidevi, Kathmandu, he was the son of Sangeet Shiromani Yagya Raj Sharma, who introduced him to classical music. Chandra Raj Sharma pursued formal education in music, earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, and later a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Throughout his career, he composed music for over 350 modern songs and sang more than 50. He gained fame for his work in Giti Natak (musical dramas) such as "Muna Madan," "Bhrikuti," and "Shree Krishna Lila," as well as Nepali movies like "Kumari" and "Jiwan Jyoti." He also served as a music teacher and held various positions in cultural institutions, including the Cultural Department of His Majesty's Government.

Shantiram Rai (also known as Pragya Shanti Ram Rai) is a highly respected Nepali music composer, singer, and songwriter originally from Khotang, Diktel. Active for over four decades, he is recognized as one of the most influential creators in modern Nepali folk and contemporary music. His official profile describes him as a “Renowned Music Composer, Singer, Songwriter in the Nepali Music Industry.”A prolific creator, Shantiram Rai has composed more than 2,000 songs, a milestone highlighted during his major solo concert covered by Kantipur Daily, which celebrated his lifelong contribution to Nepali music. His work spans folk, lok‑pop, patriotic, sentimental, and modern Nepali genres, and he is known for both studio compositions and powerful live performances.His albums such as Aagaman (2011), Musukkai Hasera (2011), and Dui Mutu (2010), along with singles like “Swadeshmai Rojagari” (2024) and “Shiraima Hamro Charatare Jhanda” (2025), reflect his evolving musical identity across decades.In recent years, he has been actively performing solo musical concerts (Ekal Saanjh) across Nepal, collaborating with respected artists such as Smita Pradhan, Shambhu Rai, Uday Sotang, Manila Sotang, Kankaisht Rai, Roshan Rai, and many others. His concerts feature both his classic hits and new compositions, often broadcast live on national platforms like NTV.

A Name who has over the years established himself as a genuine contender for the ‘best thing to happen’ to Nepali Sangeet in recent times is Alok Shree. One such name who has over the years established himself as a genuine contender for the ‘best thing to happen’ to Nepali Sugam Sangeet in recent times is a musician of immense reputation, Alok Shree. So, it did not come as a surprise when he was deservedly awarded by 'Narayan Gopal Smriti Prathisthan' with the prestigious 'Naryan Gopal Smriti Samman award' for his contributions. Alok Shree, who has launched over a dozen successful singers is also credited for rejuvenating the once sagging careers of singers with the likes of Ramkrishna Dhakal and Yam Baral topping the list. His musical prowess, however, has not been limited within the confines of Nepal for he in the past has been instrumental in bringing the legendary Indian ghazal singer Jagjit Singh into the forefront of Nepali music, not to mention Udit Narayan Jha often singing to his tunes.