Chandi Prasad Kafle

Manohari Singh (1931–2010), born in Kolkata to a Nepalese Bhusal family, is celebrated as one of South Asia’s finest woodwind and orchestral arrangers. Though globally known for his work with R.D. Burman, his Nepali heritage and musical upbringing in a Nepali household shaped his tonal sensibility, melodic phrasing, and emotional depth — qualities that strongly resonated with Nepali film composers.His mastery of alto saxophone, flute, piccolo, clarinet, mandolin, and bansuri made him a sought‑after session musician whose sound influenced the orchestral palette of Nepali film music in the 1980s–1990s. Many Nepali composers — especially those working in Mumbai and Kolkata studios — relied on his phrasing style, brass‑woodwind layering, and melodic counterlines as a reference point.Although he did not score many Nepali films directly, his arrangement style, brass band roots, and Nepali musical lineage helped shape the cross‑border sound that Nepali cinema adopted during its modern era. His work as part of the Basu–Manohari duo also inspired Nepali arrangers who studied Indian studio orchestration.

Vishal Bhattarai is a distinguished Dhrupad vocalist, music educator, and co-founder of Dhrupad Gurukul Kathmandu, Nepal’s premier institution dedicated to the ancient Hindustani classical tradition of Dhrupad. A devoted disciple of the legendary Gundecha Brothers, Vishal has spent over a decade performing and teaching this deeply meditative and spiritual form of music. Alongside his collaborator Inoue Sou, he established the Gurukul to preserve the purity of raga and swara, and to make classical music accessible to students from all backgrounds—including underprivileged and differently-abled learners. His ensemble has performed at major events like Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, where they explore the improvisational parallels between Dhrupad and jazz. Vishal’s mission is not just to entertain, but to evoke contemplation and inner peace through sound. His work is helping to reintroduce Dhrupad to Nepal’s cultural landscape, nurturing a new generation of artists rooted in tradition and spiritual discipline.

Kali Prasad Baskota is a Nepali singer, musician and lyricist.Baskota was a judge on the first, second and third Nepal Idol Reality show.

Sagar Sharad Adhikari is a singer and music composer from Dang, Nepal, known for his melodic sensibility and heartfelt contemporary Nepali compositions. Emerging as a promising voice in the modern music scene, he has created songs that blend emotional depth with clean, expressive arrangements. His notable works include “Timro Yaad,” “Mero Man,” “Aankha Bhari,” and “Saano Saano Kura,” which highlight his warm vocal tone and lyrical sincerity. Adhikari continues to expand his musical footprint through studio recordings, collaborations, and live performances, establishing himself as a rising creator with a distinct artistic identity.