Wangden Sherpa

Arjun Kaushal is a seasoned Nepali singer, composer, and lyricist originally from Palpa. His journey into music is as heartfelt as it is inspiring. After a difficult childhood marked by his parents’ separation, he moved with his mother to Gulmi and later to Delhi at just 11 years old, where he worked in a mechanic shop. It was there that his love for music blossomed—he bought a harmonium with his earnings and began teaching himself to play by ear. Returning to Nepal at 15, he enrolled in a singing school in Palpa and eventually made his way to Kathmandu to pursue music more seriously. Despite lacking formal training, Kaushal immersed himself in the craft, learning through practice and collaboration with fellow musicians like Laxmi Neupane and Durga Gurung. His debut album Aaune Dashain Ma (2054 BS) was self-produced but didn’t gain much traction. However, his second album Manai Ta Ho became a regional hit in mid- and far-western Nepal.

Purna Rai is a rising Nepali singer-songwriter known for his emotionally resonant lyrics and a unique blend of folk and modern pop sounds. Born on June 20, 1997, in Dharan, Nepal, he grew up in a musical family and began composing and performing from a young age. He made his debut with the single “Ma” in 2019, but it was “Manaka Kura” in 2021 that catapulted him into the spotlight, amassing over 16 million views on YouTube. His other notable tracks include “Biram,” “Ma Frustrated Nepali,” “Dhurwa Tara,” and “Kalo Seto”, many of which reflect personal experiences, social commentary, and heartfelt storytelling. Rai’s music often explores themes of love, longing, and cultural identity. He’s also known for his introspective songwriting process—he once described music as a form of meditation and a way to process life’s highs and lows.

Hari Prasad Rimal is honored as one of the foundational figures of Nepali performing arts, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to theatre, music, and cinema. Widely recognized as Nepal’s first radio singer, he recorded Mero Mann Ma Timro for Radio Nepal in 1951, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s broadcasting and musical culture. Rimal was also a prominent stage actor and later transitioned into film, appearing in early Nepali classics such as Aama (1964). His expressive performances, disciplined craft, and commitment to artistic excellence helped shape the identity of modern Nepali acting. Over his long career, he received multiple honors acknowledging his influence on theatre, music, and the evolution of Nepal’s cultural landscape

Master Mitrasen Thapa Magar (1895–1946) was a pioneering Nepali folk singer, dramatist, social reformer, and cultural ambassador whose work laid the foundation for organized Nepali folk performance. Born in Bhagsu, Dharamshala, he served in the Gurkha Regiment before dedicating his life to music, theatre, and community upliftment. He performed widely across India and Nepal, including Kathmandu Durbar, where he presented folk songs, dramas, and shamanic‑influenced performances, earning high recognition and public felicitation. His mission was to preserve Nepali identity among diaspora communities through art, discipline, and cultural pride. Master Mitrasen recorded seven gramophone discs in Calcutta, a rare achievement for a Nepali artist of his era. Out of his 63 known compositions, 23 songs survive in recorded form. In 1942, he wrote “Buddhvaani” in Nepali to spread messages of peace, compassion, and social harmony. He passed away in 1946 while on a cultural tour, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire Nepali folk musicians worldwide.