Vishal Bhattarai is a distinguished Dhrupad vocalist, music educator, and co-founder of Dhrupad Gurukul Kathmandu, Nepal’s premier institution dedicated to the ancient Hindustani classical tradition of Dhrupad. A devoted disciple of the legendary Gundecha Brothers, Vishal has spent over a decade performing and teaching this deeply meditative and spiritual form of music.
Alongside his collaborator Inoue Sou, he established the Gurukul to preserve the purity of raga and swara, and to make classical music accessible to students from all backgrounds—including underprivileged and differently-abled learners. His ensemble has performed at major events like Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, where they explore the improvisational parallels between Dhrupad and jazz.
Vishal’s mission is not just to entertain, but to evoke contemplation and inner peace through sound. His work is helping to reintroduce Dhrupad to Nepal’s cultural landscape, nurturing a new generation of artists rooted in tradition and spiritual discipline.
