Kiran Baral

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.

Parashuram Bhandari is a Nepali master of the sarangi. He hails from the former Kingdom of Nepal, a country of dramatic beauty with a rich and appealing culture. His music ranges from the wildly exuberant to the hauntingly delicate, presented with the rhythmic power that is his signature. The sarangi, whose name means "hundred colors," is an instrument with a cello-like timbre, bowed on three melody strings, with thirty-six sympathetic strings underneath, giving it a haunting cello-like resonance and bright reverberating echo. It is best known for its emotional intensity and its uncanny similarity to the timbre and inflections of the human voice. Parashuram is the only sarangi musician in Nepal to play in the North Indian Classical style. He plays Nepali traditional music on the country's traditional sarangi. The Nepali sarangi is a small hand-carved version of the classical sarangi, an instrument equivalent to the traditional American fiddle. Born in the Kathmandu Valley and educated in India, Parashuram studied with guru Pandit Bacchalal Misra of Varanasi and Senior Musician Gopal Nath Yogi. He received his Master's Degree in Music from Prayag Sangit Samiti. An independent artist, Parashuram Bhandari has published the only textbook on sarangi and is the recipient of National music awards in Nepal. He has performed in numerous countries and released two solo CD's among others with the acclaimed musical group Om Shringara Nepal. When home in the Kathmandu Valley, Parashuram performs in Nepal television, radio, and theatre productions.

Amrita Uprety is a gifted Nepali flautist and classical musician, known for her soulful performances and dedication to the bansuri (Indian bamboo flute). Originally from Nepal, she has been a residential disciple at Vrindaban Gurukul, the prestigious music school founded by Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, for over 15 years. Her training under the legendary maestro has shaped her into one of the most promising female flautists in the Indian classical tradition. Amrita has performed at major cultural events such as the RFPA Holi Festival 2022, and has received accolades including the Girnar Festival Award and the Female Flautist Award from the Sundari Wadan Festival. Her music blends technical precision with emotional depth, captivating audiences across India and Nepal. She continues to represent Nepali talent on international stages, inspiring young musicians—especially women—to pursue classical music with passion and discipline.

Sandip Karki, also known as Sandy Sax, is a talented Nepali saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. He has been playing the saxophone for over a decade and is dedicated to modernizing the saxophone's presence in the Nepali music scene. Sandip is known for his soulful performances and has contributed to various music projects, including instrumental covers and original compositions.