Rupa Neupane

Ganga Thapa is a Nepali composer, producer, ethnomusicologist, and multi‑instrumentalist known for his research‑driven approach to music and his fusion of traditional Nepali sounds with contemporary arrangements. His work spans field documentation, studio production, and multi‑instrumental performance, making him a key figure in the preservation and modern reinterpretation of Nepali musical heritage.

Kushal Thapa is a Nepali lead guitarist known for his versatile work across recording studios, reality‑show stages, and major live concerts. A skilled session musician, he has contributed guitar arrangements and studio recordings for various artists, bringing a blend of melodic phrasing and modern Nepali guitar style.He also performs as a band guitarist for Pramod Kharel, supporting national tours, concerts, and televised performances with expressive lead lines and strong stage presence. His experience across studio, stage, and broadcast settings has established him as a reliable and adaptable guitarist in Nepal’s contemporary music scene.

Kiran Nepali, a renowned Sarangi player from Nepal, is a member of the folk band Kutumba. He is a third generation Sarangi player in his family, and explains that he is greatly influenced by his grandfather, father and uncles, who were all Sarangi players of their times.

Narendra Bataju Narendra Bataju (died 2018) was a Nepali-born sitar and surbahar virtuoso renowned for his mastery of Hindustani classical music. A disciple of Ravi Shankar, he became an influential cultural bridge between South Asia and Europe through performance and teaching. Key facts Born: Kathmandu, Nepal (year not publicly documented) Died: September 2018, Paris, France Discipline: Hindustani classical (Maihar gharana) Instruments: Sitar, surbahar Based in: Paris since 1972 Early life and training Blind from birth, Bataju began learning sitar at age eight. He pursued formal training for a decade at the Conservatory of Music in Lucknow, India, earning a master’s diploma and two Grand Prizes. His prodigious skill earned recognition from Ravi Shankar, who praised his natural musicality and emotional sensitivity. Career and recordings Settling in Paris in 1972, Bataju performed for the Nepalese royal family and later across European concert halls and festivals, including the Centre Mandapa, the Musée du Quai Branly, and the Festival du Tibet et des Peuples de l’Himalaya. His recordings include Sitar: Râga Kirvani / Surbahar: Râga Gunkali (1975), Les Sitar et Surbahar de Narendra Bataju (1980), and Jog Kauns / Misra Pilu (2006). Collaborations and performances Bataju collaborated internationally, performing alongside the Egyptian oud player Hussein El Masry at Paris’s Cité de la Musique (1996) and appearing at cultural events such as France’s Festival de l’Inde. His cross-cultural work extended to Western artists, including contributions to Symphonie celtique (Tír na nÓg) by Alan Stivell. Legacy Celebrated as a pioneer of Indian classical music in France, Narendra Bataju inspired new generations of European and Nepali musicians through his teaching and emotive performance style. His artistry remains documented in a modest but significant body of recordings and archival radio broadcasts.