Girish Khatiwoda

Buddhi Bahadur Pariyar was a gifted Nepali folk composer whose song “Resham Firiri” became a cultural anthem. Born in Pokhara, Pariyar grew up immersed in the rhythms of village life. In 1972, he composed “Resham Firiri Resham Firiri”, inspired by the hills and daily joys of Nepali people. The song was recorded in 1974 by Sunder Shrestha and Dwarika Lal Joshi, and quickly gained national fame. Its catchy tune and relatable lyrics made it a favorite among street performers, travelers, and diaspora communities. Despite its popularity, Pariyar remained largely uncredited, highlighting the struggles of folk creators in Nepal’s music industry. His work reflects the soul of Nepali folk traditions—simple, melodic, and deeply rooted in lived experience. “Resham Firiri” continues to echo across generations, symbolizing the enduring charm of Nepal’s musical heritage.

Khem Raj Gurung was a celebrated Nepalese folk singer and songwriter, known for his contributions to the Lok Dohori genre. Born on January 14, 1975, in Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha district, Nepal, he gained fame with iconic songs like "Wari Jamuna Pari Jamuna," "Aalu Tama," and "Bhanchan Budapakale." His music often carried cultural and moral themes, resonating deeply with audiences across Nepal. Throughout his career, Khem Raj released nine albums, including Jeevan, Aanamol, Dharan-Pokhara, and Dhakre. He was one of the most prominent singers in Nepal during the 1990s and 2000s. Tragically, he passed away on August 25, 2016, at the age of 41 due to complications from a liver infection.

The band began its musical quest on January 2nd, 2003 playing live gigs in hotels and lounge bars. It was essentially an acoustic blues band before it kicked off as a rock outfit. Lead singer Abhaya Subba is the founder member and manager of the band, while Rinchen Palzar who now plays the lead guitar joined the band in early 2004. Nabin Lama on the guitar was discovered by Abhaya while she was judging a reality show, The Sprite band challenge and he joined the band in 2008. Birat Shrestha on the bass joined the band mid 2009 and so did Ajit Tamang as the drummer. Abhaya had always been featured in well known bands such as Parikrama, Red Skywalkers and Punchtatva but she was getting frustrated with the way most other bands underestimated her song writing skills. What she had been seeking for was a band that would let her express herself fully and have a similar vision. She formed the band in 2003 with younger musicians than her who seemed to be more accepting of her need to write songs and articulate her full potential as a musician. Their first self titled album, released in February 2005, surprised Nepal as they had never seen such a bold female singer ever. It went on to becoming a runaway success and the band managed to carve a niche amongst the youth of Nepal. With their groundbreaking second album, Nayan, hitting the Nepali charts in 2008 their songs managed to embrace a larger listenership that established the band as one of the best that Nepal has ever seen or heard. They have been nominated for several major music awards in Nepal and were awarded the honor of being the Number 1 band of Nepal by Radio Kantipur in 2009. They have performed extensively all over Nepal and are planning a US tour in the near future. They have been invited to major concerts in Hong Kong, Australia and India. Their best is yet to come. They are now in the process of recording their third album and are raring to push the benchmark and to make music a thinking, entertaining and steamy affair.

Shanti Thatal (शान्ति ठटाल) is a renowned Nepali music composer and singer known for her contributions to the Nepali film industry. Born on April 4, 1938, in Darjeeling, India, she is celebrated as the first female music composer in the Nepali film industry. Shanti Thatal has composed music for several Nepali films and has more than 200 songs to her credit. Some of her well-known songs include "Mayalu Ley Samjhe Ki Kaso", "Udi Jaun Bhaney Mo Panchi Hoina", and "Samhalera Rakha". Shanti Thatal's work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Jagadamba Shree Puraskar in 2020 for her contribution to Nepali music. She has also been awarded the Master Mitra Sen Smriti Award for Music by the Sikkim government in 2002.