Saugat Bista

Shiva Shankar Manandhar (1932–2004) was a legendary figure in Nepali music and cinema, celebrated for his versatility as a singer, composer, and actor. Born in Newroad, Kathmandu, to a musically inclined Newar family, his early exposure to classical Newari songs through his father, Man Bahadur, laid the foundation for his lifelong devotion to music. He joined Radio Nepal in 1951, where he collaborated with Nati Kaji to shape the golden era of Nepali music. Over his prolific career, he composed around 1,200 songs and sang nearly 300, spanning genres like love ballads, bhajans, patriotic anthems, and tragic melodies. His compositions for artists such as Narayan Gopal, Tara Devi, and Aruna Lama remain timeless. 🎬 In cinema, Shiva Shankar played the lead role of Lahure Dai in Aama (1964), Nepal’s first feature film. Though he didn’t pursue acting further, he composed music for several early Nepali films, contributing to the industry's formative sound. 🎶 Sadabahar (Evergreen) Songs: Aama ko sapana – a heartfelt tribute to motherhood Yo Nepali shir uchali – a patriotic anthem Timro lagi ma birsine – a romantic classic His music blended folk traditions with orchestral arrangements, pioneering modern Nepali pop while preserving cultural authenticity. Shiva Shankar received numerous national honors and served as Executive Director of Ratna Recording Corporation (1987–1991). Even post-retirement, he remained a guardian of Nepal’s musical soul.

Uttam Pradhan is an Indian‑Nepali actor from Singtam, Sikkim, best known for his leading roles in Nepali cinema’s landmark films Darpan Chhaya, Pyari Bahini, Pareni Maya Jalaima, Basain, and Letter. A former model and television actor, he entered films after winning major modeling titles in the mid‑1990s and quickly became one of the most recognizable romantic and dramatic actors of the 2000s.Active since 2000, Pradhan has appeared in more than two dozen Nepali films and has been honored with multiple acting awards, including recognition from Nepal’s royal family and the Sikkim Kala Samman, the highest civilian honor of Sikkim. He also served as the Founder Chairman of the Sikkim Film Development Board, contributing significantly to cross‑border cultural exchange and the growth of Nepali‑language cinema.

Bipin Karki is a Nepali actor, film writer, theatre artist and author. Karki is one of the leading actors in Nepali cinema, known for his versatility. Karki began his career at a young age by appearing in stage plays with his brother Arjun Karki.

Rohit Rumba is a Nepali film actor known for his grounded performances, natural screen presence, and consistent work across commercial and festival‑recognized cinema. Active since 2016, he has appeared in feature films, shorts, and action‑driven projects, steadily building a reputation as a versatile supporting and character actor.He has worked in multiple notable Nepali films including Lakhey (2022), Nepte (2018), Dhoom 2 (2017), Birano Maya (2016), and the upcoming Kumbha. He also appeared in the acclaimed short film Sapana Ko Awaz (The Sound of Dreaming), which earned strong festival recognition.