Sanjeev Baraili

Saran Kumar Pradhan (1943–1974) was one of Darjeeling’s most gifted lyricists, composers, and mandolin virtuosos, shaping the golden era of modern Nepali music. Born on 4 May 1943, he grew up in a culturally vibrant Darjeeling and taught himself banjo, harmonium, and mandolin with remarkable mastery. A science graduate from St. Joseph’s College, he later taught at St. Robert’s School, where he also composed the school anthem. A student of maestro Amber Gurung, Saran emerged as a leading figure of Adhunik music alongside Aruna Lama, whom he married in 1963. Their partnership produced timeless classics such as “Yaha Ful Nakhili Cha,” “Sabaile Bhanthe,” “Hera Na Hera Kancha,” and many others. His music club Sangeet Sangam became a creative hub that nurtured Darjeeling’s finest talents. Saran passed away in 1974 at just 31, leaving behind a luminous body of work that continues to define Nepali musical heritage.

Born on April 14, 1977, in Byasi, Bhaktapur, she is the eldest daughter of Krishna Bdr Rajchal and Purna Kesari Rajchal. Growing up in a musically inclined family, she was inspired by her father’s love for the harmonium. Her musical journey began early—by class four, she was already performing in school programs and learning harmonium under Hari Prasad Bati. She completed her schooling at Prabhat English Boarding School and Sharda Secondary School, and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Lalit Kala Campus. Her passion for music led her to Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata, where she earned a second bachelor's degree, followed by a master’s degree at Lalit Kala Campus upon her return to Nepal. She also holds a vocal diploma from Pragya Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. During her studies in India, she had the opportunity to perform with an orchestra group on Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday, a turning point that helped shape her musical identity. It was in college that she discovered the sitar, an instrument that would become her primary medium of expression. Her professional career officially began in 2004 with the recording of her first song. In 2005, she released her debut album, "The Tradition", and followed it with "Talking Strings" in 2012, showcasing her evolving artistry and mastery of the sitar. Between these releases, she actively toured cities across Nepal and India, including Nepalgunj, Pune, Jharkhand, Nagpur, and Kolkata, bringing her music to diverse audiences. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to classical music and a lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing its beauty through performance and education.

Suraj Nepal, The Esraj player born in Nepal started a love affair with music since his childhood. He grew up listening to folk and religious tunes played during various festivals in Kathmandu. At the age of 10 he started playing madal (A Nepali percussion) and started singing folk songs since his school days. As years passed, his interest in eastern classical music and instruments grew. That’s when he met a musician friend of a relative that introduced him to Esraj and encouraged him to learn the instrument. He learnt Esraj from Guru Santosh Bhakta Shrestha who then was the only person in Nepal to play the instrument. He too was his only disciple. He received a diploma in Esraj and in 2007. Since then he’s won many accolades, performed with many international artists, played many projects, bands and function. He’s benchmark performances include Playing for Change Organization, Varanasi International Ashram, Udaipur Shilpgram Festival, CPI NTOK 2014 Korea and Wumeng Grassland Music Festival China 2016, Inner Mongolia China 2018 & Wilma Israel 2019 etc.

Phoebe Shrestha is a Nepali violinist known for her expressive bowing style, refined classical technique, and ability to blend Western orchestral sensibilities with contemporary Nepali music. Active in studio sessions, live ensembles, and collaborative projects, she brings a warm, lyrical tone to film scores, acoustic arrangements, and cross‑genre performances. Her growing presence in Nepal’s modern music scene reflects both technical discipline and a distinctive emotional clarity in her playing.