Pramod Upadhyaya

Nepal has many flautists but no one has completed his Masters in flute-playing as has Jeevan Ale, He completed his Masters from the Prayag Institute of Illahabad, India. Having devoted more than half of his life to classical music, this resident of Mahottari has finally received accolades for his efforts. Though interested in flutes from an early age, Ale says that he only understood the intensity of its music when he started studying it. he was more involved in the academic side of music rather than the practical. He taught at Kathmandu University and also gave private tuitions.

Dashain and Malshree Dhun are deeply connected in Nepali culture. The sacred melody of Malshree is considered the musical soul of Dashain, and helping preserve this tradition is Nepal’s first and only female sarod player, Rupa Neupane. Rupa Neupane was born in Asar 2026 B.S. (1969 A.D.) in Mulpani, Kathmandu. She was married at the age of 12 in 2038 B.S. Despite early marriage and social responsibilities, her passion for music gradually found its way into her life. At the age of 24, in 2050 B.S. (1993 A.D.), she began learning the sarod, marking the beginning of her remarkable musical journey. She first trained under senior sarod maestro Mohan Sundar Shrestha in Kathmandu. Later, she continued her studies with Suresh Raj Bajracharya and further refined her skills under Dr. Anupama Kumari in India. Through dedication and continuous practice, she steadily established herself as a respected sarod instrumentalist. In a field traditionally dominated by men, Rupa Neupane broke barriers and created a historic identity as Nepal’s pioneering female sarod player. Her performances of Malshree Dhun during Dashain have strengthened the cultural connection between classical instrumental music and Nepal’s most celebrated festival. Today, she continues her journey as a committed sarod artist, inspiring women and young musicians across the country. Her life reflects perseverance, courage, and devotion to classical music, proving that passion and determination can overcome social and personal challenges.

Suresh Raj Bajracharya is one of Nepal’s foremost sarod maestros, known for his deep devotion to classical music and his role in preserving the rich heritage of Hindustani instrumental traditions. With over three decades of experience, he has become a revered figure in Nepal’s music scene, performing at venues like Yala Mandala and collaborating with artists such as Laxmi Prasad Dangol and Mannu Shahi. His compositions—like “Intransient Nature”, “Childhoodness”, and “Jaya Namah Shree Buddha”—blend meditative ragas with spiritual depth. Bajracharya is also known for his unique offering to the Living Goddess Kumari, where he sought to teach her the sarod as a gesture of cultural devotion. His albums, including The Nature, are available on platforms like Deezer. Through teaching, composing, and performing, Suresh Raj Bajracharya continues to inspire a new generation of classical musicians in Nepal and beyond.

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.