Rikesh Gurung

Aavaas is a Nepali singer and composer known for his soulful musical style and creative work under the nepa~laya banner. Recognized for his thoughtful songwriting and warm vocal tone, he has contributed to Nepal’s contemporary music scene through original compositions that blend modern sensibilities with emotional depth. His work reflects a commitment to authentic storytelling, making him a distinctive voice among Nepal’s new‑generation independent artists.

The year 2004 introduced Moment of Bliss, the album that included the song Phul ko Akhaan Maa, which brought Ani Choying Drolma much acclaim. The song, written by Durga Lal Shrestha and composed by Nhyoo Bajracharya, went on to be one of the most played songs on media and one would be hard-pressed to find anybody in Kathmandu who hadn’t heard the tune. The song broke the monotony of the then popular music with its melody and easy flowing instrumentation and Ani’s soothing, almost meditative vocals. Although largely unrecognised by the public, Gopal Rasaily, the arranger of the song, also managed to gather appreciation for his work from others in the business; it represented a breakthrough for him in the Nepali music industry. Rasaily, who is also the in-house arranger at the Do Re Mi studio.

Tsujil Karmacharya is a renowned name in the Nepali music industry. Born on 26 December, 1979, in a small village of Bhainse in Central Region of Nepal sharing his birthdays with some of the world famous musicians (Ulrich of Metallica and James Kottak of Scorpions), Tsujil is not only a singer but also a model, music composer and an engineer. He has various titles and professions added with his name and have gained popularity in short period of time because of his multi talented characteristic. He used to watch the cultural shows organized by Rapti Club, a local club, which really impressed him when he was a child. He was inspired by his uncle who used to perform with the club regularly and later, he started walking on the steps of his elder brother. He used to sing and record songs into a worn out tape-recorder, playing the flute and harmonica and pencil sketching, etc. became his hobbies and he took all opportunities he got of singing at his school’s cultural programs despite his shy nature. He picked up guitar for the first time at the age of 14. However, back then, guitars were not allowed in his hostel so in order to kill desperation, he tore a hard cover from an old notebook, shaped it into a guitar’s neck, drew lines to resemble fret boards in it and stapled it to give the feel of strings. This is how he learned his first few chords. Interesting, isn’t it?

Tilak Singh Pela is a revered name in Nepali classical and modern music, known for his soulful voice, deep-rooted classical training, and dedication to nurturing future generations of musicians. Born in Dashrathchand Municipality, Baitadi, in the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal, Pela has spent over two decades enriching the Nepali music scene with his artistry and mentorship. Classical Music Journey Studied Indian classical music at Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, India. Trained under Guru Debashish Dev and Pandit Dhana Bahadur Gopali. Founded Shree Krishna Gurukul Sangeet Pathshala in Banasthali, Kathmandu. As a music instructor and founder, he has mentored numerous young talents who now contribute actively to Nepali music. Highlights Over 20 years of contribution to Nepali classical and modern music. Established a music school (SKG) that has become a nurturing ground for emerging artists.