Mantra Band

Chirag Khadka, known artistically as 5:55, is a Kathmandu‑born singer, songwriter, rapper, and producer whose genre‑blending sound fuses folk melodies, hip‑hop rhythms, and spiritual themes. Rising to prominence with the viral hit “Budi”, he has since built a devoted following through songs like “Samadhi,” “Life Jacket,” “Maya,” and “Samjhirakhnu.” A self‑producing artist with a strong visual and philosophical aesthetic, 5:55 continues to shape Nepal’s modern music landscape with introspective lyrics and experimental soundscapes.

Raju Lama is a Nepali singer-songwriter and the lead vocalist of the popular band Mongolian Heart. Born on March 16, 1978, in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, he has been active in the Nepali music industry since 1993. His music spans multiple languages, including Nepali, Tibetan, and Tamang, making him a versatile artist. Career Highlights Raju Lama has released several successful albums, including: Soltini (1995) Mongolian Heart (1996) Mongolian Heart Vol 2 (1999) Mongolian Heart Vol 3 (2002) Mongolian Heart Vol 4 (2006) Mongolian Heart Vol 5 (2009) Mongolian Heart Vol 6 (2012) Mongolian Heart Vol 7 (2018) Awards & Achievements Raju Lama has won multiple awards, including: Best Vocal (Nepal) – 1996 Music Nepal Gold Medal – 1999 Highest Selling Album of the Year – Hits FM Awards (2002) Winning Coach of The Voice of Nepal Season 4 – 2022 Social Work & Everest Expedition Beyond music, Raju Lama is also known for his social work. In 2022, he climbed Mount Everest (8,848.86m) to raise awareness about climate change and global warming. As part of his expedition, he performed a solo concert between Camp 2 and Camp 3 at 6574m, making it one of the highest-altitude performances ever.

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.

War Tonight is a fierce metal band from Kalimpong, West Bengal, known for delivering raw, high‑energy performances shaped by the Himalayan underground scene. Their debut single “Goddess of War” introduced a melodic death‑metal sound that champions empowerment and inner resilience. With crushing riffs and an intense stage presence, the band has quickly gained recognition, winning the Melo Tea Fest Band Competition in Darjeeling. War Tonight continues to carve a bold identity in the growing Indian metal landscape.