Sunil Giri

Red cap, white hand bands, white scarf, a locket having picture of eagle and leopard, loose clothes and long pants. Guess who’s he? Off course, he’s Nirnaya Shrestha AKA Nirnaya da NSK. He is the naughty soul kid of Nepali music without whom hip-hop or Rap music can’t even be imagined. While other musicians appeared and then disappeared, none were able to match Nirnaya’s standards. Nirnaya was born on 15th Feb. in Birgunj . His father Dr. Shantinath Shrestha went to America to complete his PHD and Nirnaya too moved with him in 1988. Nirnaya joined school in America but carried on guitar classes. He had X-factor in music from very beginning. He participated on most of his school shows. His singing career started from his very Mt. Loghl schooling in 1990. During those times, rap music was in its growth stage. Since, one could express all his life in a single song easily and could connect with the listeners; he was strongly influenced by it so he learned it. He also bagged president of frequency award in eighth standard. As soon as his father completed his PhD, Nirnaya came back to his land and joined St. Xavier School. He had to take tuitions for basic Nepali alphabet. With a view to introduce rap songs among Nepali listeners, he joined image fm in 1999 and started hosting a program name “Bring the house down”. Later after 5 months, he started recording an album for the same name with his group, “Nirnaya and Da’ all stars”. His group mates were Samir, Pranav Joshi, Shakeel and others. The failure of his group was his group mates’ different musical interests. Then after, Nirnaya joined Samrat. They jointly recorded a song Jhilili….. This song strengthened their relationship. In the mean time Rinchin also joined the team. The motive behind naming their group as “The Rappers’ Union” was just an idea of uniting the rappers. “The rappers’ union” released their first album, “For u all” in 2000. It also included English songs like “For u all” and “The game must go on”. More than 1000 CDs were sold by the Rappers’ Union themselves.

Barsha Karmacharya is a talented Nepali singer, songwriter, model and composer who has made a mark in the Nepali music industry. She is known for her unique blend of pop and traditional Nepali music, often incorporating cultural elements into her songs. Some of her popular tracks include "Sarara," "Narisauna," and "Oh Makka," which showcase her versatility and creativity. Barsha is also a model and makeup artist, adding to her multifaceted career. She has collaborated with other artists and gained recognition for her vibrant music videos and performances. Currently based in the United States, she continues to pursue her passion for music while exploring other creative fields.

The ever-young Jyoti Ghimire is known for his contributions in helping shape Nepal's contemporary rock scene to its present state. In his musical journey spanning over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has given hits like 'Anjaan', 'Maski Maski', and 'Nashalu'.

Santosh Bhakta Shrestha is a renowned Nepali esraj player, freelance musician, and respected music teacher celebrated for his mastery of this rare bowed string instrument. With decades of dedication to classical and devotional music, he has become a leading figure in preserving and promoting the esraj tradition in Nepal. His performances—such as the soulful rendition of “Jaha Chhan Buddhaka Aankha”—are marked by emotional depth and technical brilliance. Santosh Bhakta has collaborated with prominent artists and institutions, including SAC Music International and Dhrupad Gurukul Kathmandu, where he has performed ragas like JogKauns in intimate classical gatherings. His style is known for its fluid bowing, vocal-like phrasing, and meditative resonance, making him a sought-after performer and mentor. As a freelance teacher, he continues to inspire the next generation of musicians, ensuring that the esraj remains a living, breathing part of Nepal’s musical heritage.