Bhupendra Rasaili

Subha Bahadur Sunam was a legendary Nepali music composer, saxophonist, and retired Brigadier General of the Nepal Army, celebrated for shaping modern Nepali music. Active for over five decades, he began composing at age 20 and became known for blending classical and contemporary styles. He co-composed the iconic song Parkhi Basey Aula Bhani with Sambhujeet Baskota under the name ShubhaSambhujeet. As a saxophone virtuoso, he was also the music mentor to Prince Dipendra. His contributions enriched Radio Nepal’s golden era and inspired generations of musicians. Sunam passed away in 2022 at age 74, leaving behind a profound musical legacy.

Lochan Rijal is a multi-instrumentalist, a singer, songwriter and a scholar of ethnomusicology. Born in the Panchthar district of Nepal, he grew up around music performed at festivals by the local people of that region. The experience influenced him to explore the potential of sound and develop his passion into his profession. While in college, he began teaching music to school children in Kathmandu while also working in the pop and rock music scene, producing award-winning albums, before moving onto something that fed his scholarly ambitions. In 2014, he graduated with a PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Massachusetts and Kathmandu University. He also works as the associate professor and Head of Kathmandu University’s Department of Music.

Surath Pradhan is a Nepali music producer, arranger, programmer, and recording/mixing engineer known for his extensive work across modern Nepali music. His credits span folk, adhunik, romantic, and contemporary fusion songs, collaborating with leading singers, composers, and studios.He is a core music arranger and engineer at Sur Sangam Recording Studio, where he has contributed to numerous high‑profile projects. His work includes music arrangements, programming, recording, and mixing for songs by artists such as Udaya Sotang, Arpana Acharya, Mukunda Paudel, Dhan Kiran Gurung, Shanti Thatal, Ramita Bhandari, and others.Surath has arranged and engineered music for multiple official releases, including romantic, folk, and Newari songs, and has been credited in studio sessions featuring instruments like violin, flute, guitar, and modern digital production. His arrangements appear in projects such as “Mayale Ruwauchha,” “Yeti Dherai Maya,” and various duet collections by Dhan Kiran Gurung.He is also credited as a composer on major Nepali music platforms, with works featured on Gaana’s catalog of Nepali songs.Through consistent studio output, refined arrangement skills, and collaborations with respected musicians, Surath Pradhan has established himself as a reliable and versatile music producer in Nepal’s contemporary music industry.

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.