Nagma Shrestha

Vishal Bhattarai is a distinguished Dhrupad vocalist, music educator, and co-founder of Dhrupad Gurukul Kathmandu, Nepal’s premier institution dedicated to the ancient Hindustani classical tradition of Dhrupad. A devoted disciple of the legendary Gundecha Brothers, Vishal has spent over a decade performing and teaching this deeply meditative and spiritual form of music. Alongside his collaborator Inoue Sou, he established the Gurukul to preserve the purity of raga and swara, and to make classical music accessible to students from all backgrounds—including underprivileged and differently-abled learners. His ensemble has performed at major events like Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, where they explore the improvisational parallels between Dhrupad and jazz. Vishal’s mission is not just to entertain, but to evoke contemplation and inner peace through sound. His work is helping to reintroduce Dhrupad to Nepal’s cultural landscape, nurturing a new generation of artists rooted in tradition and spiritual discipline.    

Sraj Garach is a charismatic figure in Nepali media, known for his work across modeling, television, and film. With a career that began in the early 2000s, he has steadily built a reputation for his screen presence, versatility, and dedication to the craft. Early Career & Modeling Sraj’s journey began with his participation in Mr. & Ms. Valentine 2002, a modeling competition that opened doors to runway shows and fashion events. His striking looks and confident demeanor led him to become a sought-after model and fashion choreographer. Television Hosting From 2005 onward, Sraj transitioned into television, working as a presenter on channels like Nepal One, NTV 2, and TV Filmy. His hosting style—engaging, stylish, and fluent—made him a familiar face in Nepali households.

Khagendra Lamichhane is an actor, writer and director, and he has been successfully pursuing what he has been doing since 1999. He has acted in four acclaimed movies. He has directed five plays among which most of them have been staged in different national and international theatre festivals.

Nishan Bhattarai was a senior Nepali ghazal singer who emerged in the late 2040s BS, known for his soulful voice, emotional depth, and long dedication to stage and restaurant ghazal performances. He was the younger brother of renowned singer Lochan Bhattarai, and was respected for his gentle personality and commitment to the art of ghazal singing.He spent part of his career working at Radio Nepal, where he recorded several memorable songs. Among his notable works are “Yo mutubhitra timro tasbir…” composed by Milan Moktan, and “Kamanale bharieko…” written by Dirgha Singh Bam. Another well‑known song, “Maya gar maya gar…”, featured female vocals by Sukmit Gurung.Through decades of performances and recordings, he contributed significantly to the growth and preservation of Nepali ghazal music, earning admiration from audiences and fellow musicians alike.Nishan Bhattarai passed away in a road accident at Tinkune, Kathmandu, on Monday night, 28 Poush 2076 (13 January 2020 AD).