Nakul Karki

Ustad Asha Gopal was a respected classical vocalist from Kathmandu and the father of Swor Samrat Narayan Gopal. He was deeply involved in the devotional music culture of New Road, Kilagal, and surrounding temple areas, where he regularly led and participated in bhajan–kirtan traditions. During Narayan Gopal’s childhood, Ustad Asha Gopal often took him along to these bhajan mandalis, where the young Narayan accompanied the ensemble on basic instruments, absorbing classical discipline and devotional musical structure from an early age.Although formal recordings of Ustad Asha Gopal have not been found, his influence is widely acknowledged in oral histories. His grounding in classical and devotional music shaped the early musical environment that nurtured Narayan Gopal’s sense of melody, discipline, and vocal purity. Researchers consider him an important figure in Kathmandu’s traditional music circles of the early 20th century.

Mukesh Shakya is a young Nepali tabalist and classical musician, known as a disciple of the late maestro Rabin Lal Shrestha. He has performed in classical music sessions organized by the Society of Classical Music Nepal, including their 76th session, where his tabla playing was featured and praised for its precision and depth. Mukesh represents a new generation of Nepali classical artists dedicated to preserving and evolving traditional forms like tabla and Hindustani music. His training under Rabin Lal Shrestha places him in a respected lineage of percussionists, and his public performances reflect a growing commitment to Nepal’s classical music scene

Shweta Punjali, a talented Nepali musician, gained recognition for her debut album “Udaan”. Several songs from this album received nominations at various national music awards. Notably, she won the Best New Talent award at the 2016 Nepali Music Video Awards and was also a nominee for Best Newcomer at the 2015 Tuborg Image Music Awards. Shweta primarily sings in the Nepali Adhunik style, which combines traditional melodies from Nepal with influences from Western instruments like electric piano, guitar, violin, and percussion. Her repertoire extends to bhajans (religious songs) and Nepali classical music. Additionally, she has participated in national music reality shows such as Nepali Tara (second season) and Bagina. Her training under the highly respected music teacher Gurudev Kamat at the Nepal Music Centre encompasses both classical and contemporary styles of Nepali singing1. Shweta’s musical journey reflects her versatility and dedication to her craft.

Swoopna Suman, born on December 2, 1995, in Kathmandu, Nepal, is a talented Nepali singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His unique blend of contemporary and traditional Nepali music has garnered him a massive fanbase both in Nepal and abroad. Swoopna Suman embarked on his musical journey in 2012, initially gaining attention by posting home videos on YouTube. His talent caught the eye of Karma Records, leading to the release of his first official song, “K Saro Ramri Bhako,” in 2014. Since then, he has continued to create original music, including tracks like “Kunai Din,” “Kasari Bhanu,” “Ma Timro,” and "Kurera Baschu". In 2023, Swoopna Suman gained even more popularity with the release of his song “Je Chhau Timi” in collaboration with Samir Shrestha. His musical journey has been marked by a fusion of passion, love for music, and a desire to reinvent himself. Career and Artistry: Swoopna aspires to perform at notable venues worldwide alongside his band, The Asters. The band includes talented musicians such as Ayush Bahadur Shrestha (Keyboards), Saroj Ghimire Chhetri (Drums), Alish KC (Bass), Asim Tamang (Lead Guitar), and Abhishek Pun (Audio). The Asters formed in 2021 and have been playing alongside Swoopna ever since. Here’s a glimpse of Swoopna Suman’s discography: 2015: “K Saro Ramri Vako” 2018: “Jane Kura Nagara,” “Yaadma Raknechhu” 2019: “Timro Aankha” 2020: “Farki Herda,” “Thanai Vayana,” “Juneli Raatma” 2021: “Mayalu,” “Najeekidai,” “Kaha Ma Jaau” 2022: “Kasari Bhanu,” “Ma Timro,” “Baacha Vayo” 2023: “Je Chhau Timi,” “Upahaar” In 2023, he won the National Music Award for Best Pop Male Vocals for his song "Baacha Bhayo" . 🎵🎸