Yama Buddha

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.

Dhiraj Rai , popularly known as the Stage King, is a legendary Nepali singer, songwriter, and musician from Khotang, Nepal. He began his musical journey in 1990 with the song “Luki Luki”, which marked the start of a vibrant career in Nepali pop and rock music. Known for his electrifying stage presence and heartfelt lyrics, Dhiraj Rai became a household name with hits like “Timi Ruda Eklai Huda”, “Mysterious Girl”, and “Himal Najhuke Samma”. His albums such as Premi, Prithak, and Buddha Was Born in Nepal reflect his versatility and deep connection to Nepali identity and global themes. Rai’s music often explores love, longing, and national pride, blending Western rock influences with Nepali sentiment. With over three decades in the industry, he remains a beloved figure and a pioneer of modern Nepali pop-rock.

Kuma Sagar is a talented Nepali singer known for his unique blend of traditional and modern music. His songs often feature traditional instruments and melodies, revitalizing ancient sounds. Some of his popular tracks include "Oh Champa" and "Chahare Sari". His music videos often celebrate Newari culture and traditions, showcasing the beauty of Newari architecture, attire, and rituals

Saroj Sajan Shrestha (born on December 28, 1985 as Saroj Kumar Shrestha) is a new face in the Nepali music industry. ‘S3’ (Saroj Sajan Shrestha) which was released on December 25, 2015 is his first album. He is a versatile singer and he has sung songs with semi classical, lok fusion, soft rock flavors for the album. He can also compose and write songs. The album ‘S3’ marks the arrival of Shrestha in the industry. Composers Kalyan Singh and Ishwor Magiya are the composers of the album while the lyricists who have penned the songs for S3 are Ravi Malla, Binu Kchitiz and Prakash Kshanik. ‘Paapini’ and ‘Mayalu Ko Desh’ are his popular songs and it has been included in the album of five songs. Others songs of the album are ‘Timile Farkiyera’, ‘Mahasus Garer Hera’ and ‘Mann Antai’. It was launched by legendry singer Prem Dhoj Pradhan, composer Raju Singh and cover designer Anil Staphit among others. From Phalewas, Parbat, Shrestha was inspired by his late father Ram Prasad Shrestha who was a local musician. He later moved to Kathmandu in 2001 where he took music further. And he officially began his musical journey with the song ‘Mahasus Garer Hera’ recorded in 2013. Music is his life and he can’t imagine life without music. For Shrestha, music is the medium to bring about change in the society.