Pradeep Raj Pandey

Arjun Kaushal is a seasoned Nepali singer, composer, and lyricist originally from Palpa. His journey into music is as heartfelt as it is inspiring. After a difficult childhood marked by his parents’ separation, he moved with his mother to Gulmi and later to Delhi at just 11 years old, where he worked in a mechanic shop. It was there that his love for music blossomed—he bought a harmonium with his earnings and began teaching himself to play by ear. Returning to Nepal at 15, he enrolled in a singing school in Palpa and eventually made his way to Kathmandu to pursue music more seriously. Despite lacking formal training, Kaushal immersed himself in the craft, learning through practice and collaboration with fellow musicians like Laxmi Neupane and Durga Gurung. His debut album Aaune Dashain Ma (2054 BS) was self-produced but didn’t gain much traction. However, his second album Manai Ta Ho became a regional hit in mid- and far-western Nepal.  

Mahendra Raj Baral is a Nepali singer known for his melodious romantic and modern songs, earning a strong following across radio, digital platforms, and live performances. His popular tracks include “Timro Yaad,” “Mero Man,” “Suna Suna,” and “Aankha Ko Nani.” Baral has been recognized for his consistent vocal presence in Nepali contemporary music, receiving multiple radio chart placements, stage show honors, and appreciation awards from Nepali cultural organizations in Nepal and abroad. His warm vocal tone and heartfelt delivery continue to make him a favorite among Nepali music listeners.

Navneet Aditya Waiba is a Nepali folk singer, songwriter, and cultural researcher from Siliguri, West Bengal. She is the daughter of the late Hira Devi Waiba, the first professional Nepali folk singer. After her mother’s passing in 2011, Navneet left her career as a senior flight purser in Hong Kong to revive and preserve her family’s musical legacy. Together with her brother Satya Aditya Waiba, she launched the tribute album Ama Lai Shraddhanjali in 2017, re-recording her mother’s iconic songs using traditional instruments and arrangements. Navneet’s music focuses on authentic Nepali folk traditions, especially highlighting women’s voices and rural narratives. She collaborates with the Kathmandu-based folk band Kutumba and continues to perform across South Asia. Navneet is widely respected for her commitment to cultural preservation and her efforts to inspire younger generations to reconnect with their roots through music.

Sarad Shrestha is one of Nepal’s most influential guitarists and genre‑shifting musicians, active for over three decades in the Nepali music scene. Beginning his journey after SLC, he formed his first band Black Band and later became widely known as the guitarist of The Axe Band, contributing 12 years and four albums. A versatile performer, he has worked across rock, stoner metal, ska‑punk, rap‑rock, and grunge, performing with bands such as Black Wizard, The Sound Mill, Kathmandu Mayhem, Intellectual Morons, Tumbleweed Inc., Project One, and Shree 3, where he also sings. Respected for his emotional playing and fearless experimentation, Shrestha remains a defining figure in modern Nepali rock.