Kalyan Sherchan

Kumar Basnet (born 7 July 1938) is one of Nepal’s most celebrated folk icons, renowned for his energetic performance style, satirical humor, and pioneering contribution to modern lok geet. Widely known as “Lok Samrat”, he popularized comedic and socially reflective folk music through classics like “Lai Bari Lai,” “Ama Bhanda,” “Herda Ramo,” and “Goru Bhanjyang.” Active since the late 1950s, Basnet’s charismatic stage presence earned him comparisons to Elvis Presley within Nepal’s folk scene. His achievements include the Tri‑Shakti Patta, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Birendra–Aishwarya Sewa Padak, and the Ratna Record Puraskar, honoring his lifelong impact on Nepali cultural heritage.

Birahi Karki (born 21 November 1983, Gorkha, Nepal) is a nationally acclaimed Nepali folk and dohori singer, composer, lyricist, and social worker. Active since 1997, after passing his voice test at Radio Nepal, he has become one of Nepal’s most prolific folk artists. Karki has sung more than 300 songs and has written and composed over 600 songs, shaping the modern lok‑dohori landscape with his expressive vocal style and storytelling.His major hits include “Junkiri,” “Mayalu Hajara,” “Gurans Fulne Thau Tira,” “Aama,” “Sunkhanima Sun,” “Hola Mayalu,” and many others that remain staples of Nepali folk music. He has released multiple successful albums, including the Aama series, Junkiri, Mayalu Hajara, and Sunkhanima Sun.Karki has received numerous honors, including Music Khabar Music Awards, Tuborg Image Award, Yamaha Kalika Music Award, and multiple national recognitions for best folk and dohori performances.Beyond music, he is the founder of the Phoolmaya Karki Foundation, through which he supports orphaned children and continues active social service alongside his musical career.

Buddhi Bahadur Pariyar was a gifted Nepali folk composer whose song “Resham Firiri” became a cultural anthem. Born in Pokhara, Pariyar grew up immersed in the rhythms of village life. In 1972, he composed “Resham Firiri Resham Firiri”, inspired by the hills and daily joys of Nepali people. The song was recorded in 1974 by Sunder Shrestha and Dwarika Lal Joshi, and quickly gained national fame. Its catchy tune and relatable lyrics made it a favorite among street performers, travelers, and diaspora communities. Despite its popularity, Pariyar remained largely uncredited, highlighting the struggles of folk creators in Nepal’s music industry. His work reflects the soul of Nepali folk traditions—simple, melodic, and deeply rooted in lived experience. “Resham Firiri” continues to echo across generations, symbolizing the enduring charm of Nepal’s musical heritage.

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.