Kundan Shah

Shila Bahadur Moktan is a veteran Nepali music director, arranger, composer, and multi‑instrumentalist, celebrated for more than five decades of contribution to Nepali music. He is regarded as one of the most respected figures in modern and folk‑influenced Nepali music, known for his refined arrangements, melodic sensibility, and mastery of multiple instruments.Born and raised in Darjeeling, he received formal classical training under J.C. Rai, which shaped his foundation as a composer and instrumentalist. His first recorded song, “Aakha Kahile Najudos,” was broadcast on All India Radio, Kurseong, in the 1980s .Shila Bahadur Moktan has contributed to over 1,200 songs, working as a composer, arranger, and instrumentalist across genres ranging from folk to adhunik Nepali music. His notable early works include folk songs such as “Hoina Maile Dhakeko Badulki Lageko” and “Topi Hataile Bunera,” and the modern classic “Kahile Kahi Malai Pani Herideuna Pharkera,” a song that introduced both Kunti Moktan (vocals) and Shila Bahadur (music) to the Nepali music scene .He is married to legendary singer Kunti Moktan, and together they are considered pillars of Nepali music. Their daughters Subani Moktan and Shital Moktan are also successful musicians, continuing the family’s artistic legacy .After retiring from Music Nepal, Shila Bahadur initially planned to step back from active work, but his passion for music kept him fully engaged in composing, arranging, and performing. He continues to appear in concerts, including the Paleti Series, where he performs his own compositions and vocals .With nearly 50 years in music, he remains an influential figure whose arrangements, compositions, and instrumental work have shaped generations of Nepali music lovers.

Rubin Kumar Shrestha is a Nepali musician, composer, and multi‑instrumentalist best known as a core member of the folk‑instrumental ensemble Kutumba since 2004. Specializing in ID music, background score, and thematic sound design, he contributes to Kutumba’s signature sound through traditional Nepali instruments, experimental arrangements, and contemporary fusion. His work spans live performances, studio recordings, documentaries, cultural projects, and background scoring for visual media, making him one of the prominent creative forces in Nepal’s instrumental music scene.

Ganesh Pariyar (1945 – 18 January 2021) was Nepal’s first music arranger, a pioneering composer, singer, and multi‑instrumentalist whose work laid the foundation of modern Nepali studio music. Beginning as a contractual instrumentalist at Radio Nepal in 2019 BS, he became a permanent musician in 2024 BS, introducing structured music arrangement to Nepali broadcasting for the first time.Before entering full‑time music, Pariyar served in the Nepal Army, rising to the rank of Havildar before resigning to pursue music professionally. A skilled violinist, saxophonist, guitarist, and folk instrumentalist, he played a central role in shaping the orchestral sound of early Nepali recordings.Across more than two decades at Radio Nepal, he contributed as an arranger, composer, vocalist, instrumentalist, and collector of lyrics and melodies. His disciplined musicianship and technical mastery helped elevate the quality of Nepali studio productions during a formative era.In 2050 BS, he joined Music Nepal as a Music Director and Arranger, influencing commercial music production and supporting countless singers and composers. His legacy remains foundational in the evolution of Nepali music arrangement.

Ashesh Dangol, often hailed as the “Himalayan Hendrix,” is a trailblazing Nepali blues-rock guitarist, singer, and composer whose electrifying performances have earned him international acclaim. The nickname was bestowed upon him during his 2010 European tour by the Norwegian and German press, recognizing his fiery guitar style reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix. He is the frontman of the band Ashesh and Nekhvam, which fuses traditional Nepali sounds with blues and rock, creating a unique sonic identity that bridges East and West. His music often carries themes of peace, cultural pride, and social consciousness. Ashesh has performed at major festivals and venues across Europe, the U.S., and Asia, representing Nepal on global stages. His live shows are known for their raw energy, soulful improvisation, and deep-rooted connection to both blues traditions and Nepali heritage.