Suvash Sundas

Dil Maya Khati was a beloved Nepali singer known as the “Melody Moon” of the Himalayas. Born in 1999 BS in Ghumpahad, Darjeeling, she began singing at age five and quickly captivated audiences across Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. Her golden voice earned admiration from legends like Raj Kapoor and Narayan Gopal. In 2018 BS, she debuted on Radio Nepal and won a gold medal in a national music competition. Though she recorded only 12 songs between 2018 and 2030 BS, her impact was profound. After a long hiatus, she made a triumphant return in 2056 BS with the album Shikha. Honored with numerous awards, including the Devkota Samman and Bhupal Sangeet Puraskar, she was celebrated for her emotional depth and vocal purity. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of Nepali music lovers.

Cool Pokharel (1974–2004) was a pioneering Nepali pop singer whose soulful voice helped shape the early 2000s music scene. Known as the “King of Nepali Pop,” he blended soft rock, pop, and sentimental melodies that resonated deeply with young listeners. His iconic songs “Sun Meri Mayalu,” “Aaja Feri,” “Sustari Sustari,” “Bichodko Dukhale,” and “Yeslai Maya Bhanchan” remain timeless favorites. Cool’s gentle vocal tone, emotional delivery, and relatable lyrics made him a defining figure of modern Nepali music. Despite his short life, his influence continues to inspire new artists, and his songs are still celebrated across Nepal and the diaspora. His legacy lives on as one of Nepal’s most beloved musical voices.

Manila Sotang is a Nepali singer. Manila was trained in music early in life by her uncle who taught her to sing bhajans. After singing playback for the film Mayalu, she was noticed as a singer. Manila has sung more than 200 songs to date. She has 10 music albums with her husband Uday Sotang. The husband-wife musical couple have contributed to Nepali Adhunik (modern) music for two-and-a-half decades. Manila Sotang is originally from Darjeeling, India. She moved to Kathmandu along with her husband Uday Sotang to pursue their musical career in the late 1980s. Her daughter Shreya Sotang is a singer who has also released an album.

Koili Devi Mathema (1929–2007) was a trailblazer in the Nepali music industry, celebrated as the first woman lyricist, singer, and composer. Born as Radha Basnet in Chisapani Gadhi, Makwanpur, Nepal, she was affectionately nicknamed "Koili" (meaning "cuckoo bird") for her melodious voice. Her career began at Radio Nepal after the establishment of democracy in Nepal, and she went on to record over 4,000 songs, including modern and patriotic pieces. She also composed iconic songs like "Jahi ra juhi phul mala gansi duwaile launla." Koili Devi received numerous accolades, including the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu V and Chinnalata Music Award, for her contributions to Nepali music.