Madhu Chhetri

Manik Ratna Sthapit is a legendary Nepali singer and composer, widely admired for his expressive voice, refined musical discipline, and contribution to the development of Nepal’s modern musical era. Known for his smooth vocal delivery and deep melodic understanding, Sthapit became one of the respected voices who helped shape the sound of Nepali music during a transformative period.Emerging from a generation that valued classical grounding and cultural authenticity, Sthapit built his reputation through emotionally rich performances and compositions rooted in Nepali identity. His songs reflect clarity, balance, and a timeless melodic structure that continues to resonate with listeners and musicians.As a composer, he created works that blend traditional sensibility with modern musical expression. His compositions are known for their lyrical depth, elegant phrasing, and musical purity — qualities that earned him recognition among senior musicians, broadcasters, and cultural institutions.Throughout his career, Sthapit remained committed to artistic integrity. His influence extends across generations, inspiring singers, composers, and students who look to his work as a model of discipline, taste, and musical excellence.

Brata Gandarva, a renowned folk singer and Sarangi player, was born on 25th Poush, 2043 BS, in Jarayotar, Palpale, Bhojpur. She is the fourth daughter of Dambar Gandharba and Chija Maya Gandharba. Growing up in a large family with two brothers and six sisters, Brata's childhood was marked by a deep connection to music, especially Sarangi. Her father, a professional Sarangi player, and her mother, who also played the instrument, were her primary sources of inspiration. Though Brata was initially shy and quiet as a child, her love for Sarangi and singing gradually grew as she accompanied her mother around the village, performing and learning the traditional craft. The family's financial struggles further motivated Brata to continue the musical tradition, as it was both a means of sustenance and a way of life. Education and Musical Journey: Unlike many musicians, Brata didn’t receive formal schooling during her early years in the village. However, her connection with music was solidified when she met Gopal Siwakoti Chintan, a renowned figure who inspired her to pursue formal education and music training. Upon moving to Kathmandu, Brata joined Tri-Ratna Cooperative School, where she completed her S.L.C. and later went on to study at Lalit Kala Campus, earning her I.A. degree. She is currently in her B.A. 2nd year at the same institution. Her musical journey began under the mentorship of her parents, with her father being a significant influence on her playing technique. After moving to Kathmandu, she continued her training at Nepal Sangh Vidhalaya, under the guidance of Shyam Nepali, and started recording her songs in Music Nepal around 2053 BS. Brata’s contributions to folk music extend beyond her own performances; she is also a dedicated teacher, sharing her knowledge of Sarangi with students six days a week at various institutions.

Nipesh Dhaka (born 6 October 1981, Pokhara) is a Nepali environmentalist, lyricist, and music composer recognized for his large‑scale environmental music projects and documentary work. He is the creator, lyricist, music composer, and director of the globally recognized environmental anthem “Melancholy,” recorded by 365 Nepali artists at Radio Nepal on 19 May 2016, a project that later achieved the Guinness World Record for “Most Vocal Solos in a Song Recording.”Dhaka holds an M.A./M.Sc. and pursued further studies in Landscape Management, Soil and Water Management at the Technical University of Munich. He has been active since 1999, working across music, environmental advocacy, cinematography, and social campaigns.As the director of SEEM Nepal, he has led multiple environmental awareness initiatives, including research‑based documentaries such as Himalaya Calls (2015), Melancholy (2017), and Rodhan (2017), which explore biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development across Nepal’s ecological regions.His environmental anthem Melancholy was released on 2 September 2017 by President Bidya Devi Bhandari and certified by Guinness World Records on 1 February 2018. The project featured national icons including Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Udit Narayan Jha, Madan Krishna Shrestha, Hari Bansha Acharya, Prem Dhoj Pradhan, Sambhujeet Baskota, and Rajesh Payal Rai.Dhaka describes himself as an “Environmental Fighter”, working through music, research, and public campaigns to raise awareness on climate issues.

Narayan Gopal Gurucharya (नारायणगोपाल गुरुआचार्य) (October 4, 1939 – December 5, 1990), known professionally as Narayan Gopal and N. Gopal  was a prominent popular singer and composer of Nepali music. Regarded one of the most significant cultural icons in Nepal, he is referred as “Swar Samrat” (Nepali: स्वर सम्राट, meaning: Emperor of Voice) in Nepal. He is also known as “Tragedy King” owing to his numerous tragedy songs. He also sang in Nepalbhasa. Owing to his vocal range he was capable of singing songs of every Nepalese genre. Often, his songs were accompanied by the sitar, harmonium and flute. He was also a music director during the 1950s to the 70s and belongs to the first generation of professional Nepali singers. His songs have been showcased in several movies and dramas across the country. Narayan Gopal released 137 songs during his lifetime, his first songs were composed by his friend Prem Dhoj Pradhan and his teacher Manik Ratna. Gopal is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century and received many awards during his lifetime.