Mani Kamal Chhetri

Manila Sotang is a Nepali singer. Manila was trained in music early in life by her uncle who taught her to sing bhajans. After singing playback for the film Mayalu, she was noticed as a singer. Manila has sung more than 200 songs to date. She has 10 music albums with her husband Uday Sotang. The husband-wife musical couple have contributed to Nepali Adhunik (modern) music for two-and-a-half decades. Manila Sotang is originally from Darjeeling, India. She moved to Kathmandu along with her husband Uday Sotang to pursue their musical career in the late 1980s. Her daughter Shreya Sotang is a singer who has also released an album.

B.B. Anuragi is a celebrated Nepali music director, arranger, and playback singer, born on February 16, 1976. With a career spanning decades, he has composed and arranged music for over 40 songs and contributed as a lyricist and singer on several tracks. Known for blending traditional Nepali melodies with modern arrangements, Anuragi has left a lasting mark on the industry with hits like “Nazar Dami Hajur Ko” and “Prem Sansar”. His work reflects emotional depth and cultural richness, earning him a loyal fanbase. Beyond composing, he’s also recognized for nurturing emerging talent and shaping the soundscape of contemporary Nepali music.

Santosh Shrestha (born February 3, 1981, Ghorahi, Dang) is a celebrated Nepali music director, composer, singer, and songwriter, widely recognized for his extraordinary linguistic versatility and prolific contribution to Nepali music. He is a Guinness World Record holder, honored for composing music in 12 world languages and later breaking his own record by writing music in 50 languages.Shrestha has composed over 700 film tunes and hundreds of folk songs, making him one of Nepal’s most recorded music directors. His works have been recorded in 14 languages, including Nepali, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, English, Russian, Korean, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Thai.His popular songs include “Timile Parai Thane Pachhi,” “Aauchhi Bhani Nisthuri Le,” “Timile Bhulna Sake Pani,” and “Timro Dilma Chot Lagda.”Shrestha has released numerous albums such as Chinaari (2062 BS), Sadhana (2066 BS), Sangam (2067 BS), Garima (2067 BS), Jhalak (2067 BS), Miteri (2068 BS), Gunjan (2070 BS), and Surakshya (2078 BS).

Melwa Devi Gurung, also known as Melawa Devi, holds the distinction of being Nepal's first female recording artist. Born in 1954 B.S. (circa 1897) in Rumjatar, Okhaldhunga District, Nepal, she emerged as a pioneering figure in the nation's musical landscape. In 1928, Melwa Devi traveled to Calcutta (now Kolkata), British India, to record her songs, marking a significant milestone in Nepali music history. Among her notable recordings are "Na Gharlai Ghar Kahincha Nari Nai Durbar Ho" and "Sawari Mero Relaima," which resonated with many listeners and showcased her exceptional talent. Her musical prowess garnered the attention of Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, the Prime Minister of Nepal at the time, under whose patronage she performed. Melwa Devi's contributions not only paved the way for future generations of female artists but also enriched Nepal's cultural heritage.​ In recognition of her impact, Nepal issued a commemorative postage stamp in her honor in 2013, celebrating her legacy as an eminent singer.