Suman Shrestha

Saraswoti Khatri is a Nepali singer known for her graceful vocal style and contributions to modern, Hindi Cover and Bhajan music. Active in the Nepali music scene for over a decade, she has performed at cultural events, weddings, and national ceremonies, earning admiration for her emotive delivery and stage presence. She gained wider attention in 2022 when she sang at the wedding of journalist Sumnima Udas, where she met Indian politician Rahul Gandhi. Her tweet describing him as a “humble and simple person” went viral, highlighting her role as a cultural bridge between Nepal and India. Saraswoti’s repertoire includes songs like “Madushala,” which showcases her ability to blend poetic lyrics with melodic finesse. Though not widely recorded, her live performances and social media presence have made her a beloved figure among Nepali audiences. She continues to represent Nepali music with dignity and warmth, inspiring through both voice and presence.

Karna Raj Giri is a Nepali singer, songwriter, and recording artist from Sarlahi, known for his emotional vocal style, modern folk‑pop sensibility, and steady rise through digital and mainstream music platforms. Growing up in a modest family, he moved to Kathmandu to pursue music while working various jobs, gradually building his craft and audience through perseverance and live performance. His songs such as “Luki Luki,” “Chyappai Samayo,” “Suna Makuri,” “Junge Jhyap,” “Hang Banayo,” “Aago Laidinchhu,” “Ho Ni Ho,” “Kiss Kiss,” “Ghumaidinchhu Singapor Sahara,” and “Viral Vayo Re” have gained strong traction on YouTube, TunesNepal, and streaming platforms like Apple Music, helping him become a recognizable name in the contemporary Nepali music scene. Known for writing and composing many of his own tracks, Karna Raj Giri represents a self‑made generation of Nepali artists whose careers are built on resilience, authenticity, and direct connection with 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.

Panna Kaji Shakya (1931–2017) was a pioneering Nepali singer, composer, and lyricist, widely regarded as one of the foundational voices of Nepal’s modern music era. Born in Ombahal, Kathmandu, he began his musical journey through devotional singing and later became one of the earliest and most influential artists associated with Radio Nepal, where he worked from 1951 to 1985.Across four decades, Shakya contributed his voice and compositions to over 300 songs, shaping the sound of early Nepali modern, folk‑inspired melodies, and bhajans. His timeless recordings—“Tiriri Murali Bajyo Banaima,” “Naulakhe Tara,” “Kina Kina Timro Tasbir,” “Lolaeka Ti Thula Timra Ankha”—remain cultural landmarks and continue to define Nepal’s musical heritage.Beyond music, Shakya was active in theatre and stage performance during a period when male actors often portrayed female roles due to the absence of women in the field. He was also briefly involved in political activism through the Nepal Praja Parishad, leading to his arrest in 1962.In recognition of his lifelong contribution to Nepali music, he received the Tuborg Image Award – Lifetime Achievement Award (2013). Panna Kaji Shakya passed away on January 25, 2017, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of Nepali musicians.