Nabin Dhungel

Rajan Thakuri is a Nepali folk and dohori singer, lyricist, and composer known for his expressive vocal style and long-standing contribution to lok‑geet and live dohori culture. Active since the late 2000s, he is recognized for popular songs such as “Sansar Ghati Chha,” “Eauta Chitthi Lekhna Manlachha,” “Timrai Jhalko Timrai,” “Simsim Pani,” and “Haatma Lagyo Sunya.” His work spans studio recordings, panchebaja performances, and extensive live dohori shows in Nepal and abroad. Thakuri frequently collaborates with leading artists including Bishnu Majhi, Sirjana Birahi Thapa, Laxmi Neupane, and Phanindra Thakuri, making him a consistent voice in modern Nepali folk music.

Utpal Kandel is a Nepali music composer, teacher, and media composer whose work spans Bollywood, Hollywood, and contemporary Nepali music. He served as Music Producer and Orchestrator for the highest‑grossing Hindi film “Dhurandhar”, and has contributed to major projects including “Bads of Bollywood,” “Kesari Chapter 2,” and “Article 370.” His international portfolio includes a collaboration with two‑time award‑winning Hollywood composer Art Phillips. Now based in Australia, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music and has performed at the Sydney Opera House, proudly representing Nepali culture on a global stage.

Ustad Sahila, born (Asta Man Shrestha) in Asaar 1951, was a pioneering figure in Nepali folk‑based musical innovation. Known for introducing a fresh dimension to Nepali lok‑laya, he blended traditional rhythms with expressive vocal phrasing that made his songs deeply memorable. He trained in Kolkata under respected maestros Pandit Laxmikanta, Ustad Surya Mishra, and Ustad Shiva, gaining a strong classical foundation that shaped his unique style. In 1990 B.S., he recorded his songs in Kolkata, producing seven gramophone discs, a rare achievement for a Nepali artist of his era. His popular songs include “Kalo Theki Naran Kali Kathako”, which remains a beloved folk classic. Ustad Sahila passed away on Magh 15, 2013, leaving behind an important musical legacy.  

Ram Prasad Khanal is a Nepali folk singer, lyricist, and cultural promoter known for his contribution to lok‑geet, dohori, and traditional Nepali musical heritage. Active since the 1990s, he has recorded and performed numerous folk songs rooted in rural narratives, social themes, and Nepali cultural identity.Beyond singing, he is widely recognized for his role in promoting Nepali folk music internationally, especially through community events, cultural programs, and media engagement. His work has helped preserve and popularize traditional Nepali melodies among both domestic and diaspora audiences.