Dev Rana

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.

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.

Nikhil Tuladhar is a pioneering Nepali drummer and percussionist from Kathmandu, celebrated for his versatility across rock, fusion, jazz, and folk traditions. A three‑time nationwide Best Drummer award winner, he has powered bands such as Mukti & Revival, Trikaal, Connection, Project One, and spent nine years with Nepathya. Known for popularizing the djembe in Nepal’s mainstream music, he has toured internationally and now mentors emerging artists as an instructor at the Nepal Music Center.

Deependra Kafle is a passionate Nepali drummer and versatile live musician with several years of professional experience across TV shows, bands, studio sessions, and international stages. Known for his adaptability and command over multiple musical genres, he has established himself as a reliable and dynamic performer in Nepal’s contemporary music scene.Kafle has contributed his drumming expertise to major Nepali reality shows, including The Voice of Nepal and Nepal Idol, where his precision, timing, and stylistic range have supported some of the country’s most celebrated live arrangements. His ability to shift seamlessly between pop, rock, folk, fusion, and modern commercial styles has made him a sought‑after session drummer.He is currently a key member of Sujan Chapagain & The Band, where his rhythmic foundation and musical sensitivity play a central role in the group’s live sound. His versatility extends beyond Nepal, having performed with international artists and participated in cross‑cultural musical collaborations.