Umesh Pandit

Ratna BK, also known as Ratna Bishwakarma, is a talented Nepali flautist and music instrumentalist. He has been playing the flute for over a decade and has made significant contributions to the Nepali music industry through his performances in various recording studios, reality shows, and live concerts. Career Highlights Flute Performances: Ratna BK is known for his exceptional flute performances, which have captivated audiences in Nepal and beyond. Music Videos: He has been featured in numerous music videos, showcasing his versatility and talent. Some of his popular performances include Inspiring Music On Flute, Sakambari Live Flute, and Nepali Lok Geet Mashup Dhun. Collaborations: Ratna has collaborated with various artists and musicians, contributing to the richness of Nepali music.

Rabin Lal Shrestha is a Nepali tabla virtuoso and music educator known for his contributions to classical and devotional music in Nepal. Born in Kathmandu, he has been a leading figure in preserving and teaching the tabla tradition for several decades, both as a performer and as a mentor to young musicians. Key facts Birthplace: Kathmandu, Nepal Primary Instrument: Tabla Teaching Position: Lalit Kala Campus, Bhotahiti (since 1989) Notable Albums: Tabla Solo, Grand Rehearsal Collaborations: Suresh Raj Bajracharya (sarod), Prabhu Raj Dhakal (vocals) Musical training and influences Shrestha began studying tabla at the age of ten, inspired by bhajans sung by his father. His early training was under Sadhuram Manandhar, followed by advanced tutelage from Ganesh Raj Wonta, Nara Raj Dhakal, Homnath Upadhyaya, and Sambhu Prasad Misra. This diverse lineage grounded him in the North Indian classical tradition while connecting it to Nepal’s own devotional music culture. Teaching and mentorship Since joining Lalit Kala Campus in 1989 after three years at Holy Garden School, Shrestha has educated generations of students through structured intermediate and diploma programs. His classes maintain a rigorous schedule, emphasizing rhythm discipline and improvisational skill. He is regarded as a key figure in institutionalizing tabla education in Nepal. Performances and recordings Beyond teaching, Shrestha regularly performs at Kathmandu’s Hotel Vajra in a long-running program titled Dafa. He has toured internationally—including performances in Europe with sitarists Tarabir and Bijaya Vaidya—and released two albums: Tabla Solo, accompanied by his instructional book Dafa, and Grand Rehearsal. His work bridges traditional and contemporary interpretations of tabla music. Legacy Rabin Lal Shrestha continues to inspire Nepal’s younger generation of classical musicians. His dual role as performer and educator has made him a cornerstone of the country’s evolving Hindustani percussion scene, ensuring the tabla’s rhythmic heritage remains vibrant in modern Nepal.

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.

JB Lama is one of Nepal’s senior and most respected flutists, widely recognized for his decades‑long contribution to Nepali modern, folk, and film music. He has collaborated with legendary icons including Narayan Gopal, Gopal Yonjan, Nati Kaji, Fatteh Man, and many others, shaping the sound of Nepali music across multiple eras. Lama is also credited with creating his own flute‑playing pattern, a stylistic signature still followed by many contemporary flutists.