Krishna Sudha Dhungana

Mira Rana (also known as Meera Rana) is a renowned Nepali singer who has made significant contributions to the Nepali music industry. Born on September 24, 1951, she has sung over 1,600 songs in her 55-year musical career. Mira Rana is considered a part of "Nepal's first wave of recording stars," recording folk, classical, and even pop songs during the country's modernization after the fall of the Rana regime. She has collaborated with artists like Narayan Gopal, Gopal Yonjan, Kumar Basnet, Udit Narayan Jha, and Ram Thapa. In addition to her musical career, Mira Rana has also been involved in politics. She joined the Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal in 2009 and contested for parliament from the Kathmandu-3 constituency in 2013. She was awarded the Narayan Gopal memorial prize in 2016, shared with Gyanu Rana, in recognition of her contribution to Nepali music.

Prakash Saput Known for his modern folk songs, most recently the hugely popular ‘Galbandi’, Prakash Saput is an artist of many talents – singer, composer, song writer, and producer. In the music field since the last one and half decades, he is most famed for his ‘Dohori Battles’, a modern rendition of the traditional ‘Dohori’ songs where one party sings and the other indulges in witty ripostes and repartees.

Tirtha Kumari Thapa is a renowned Nepali folk singer who has been active in the music industry for over five decades. She began her musical journey in 2028 BS with Radio Nepal, recording more than 1,000 songs throughout her career. Her songs often reflect themes of love, nature, and cultural heritage, making her a beloved figure in Nepali folk music. Some of her popular songs include: M Ta Khadin Kuwa Ko Pani Ho Dhunge Bagar Maya Jhanke Phuli, Nakai Ma Bulaki Ukali Ma Pani Hajur Motor Jado Raichha Bari Ko Dil Ma Okharbot Machi Mar Na Hey Dai Ho with Nabin Dhungel She has received numerous awards, including the Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu (2057 BS) and the Birendra Aishwarya Sewa Padak (2058 BS). Recently, she held her first solo musical evening, Tirtha Kumari Swarnim Sanjh 2080, where she performed for nearly two hours, accompanied by her son, Suraj Kumar Thapa, who is also a musician.

Jhalakman Gandharva (झलकमान गन्धर्व) was a pioneering Nepali folk singer who popularized Gaine Geet, giving voice to Nepal’s marginalized Gandharbha community. Born on July 29, 1935, in Batulochaur, Pokhara, Jhalakman began singing at age nine, traveling village to village with his sarangi. He became the first Gaine artist to record songs, transforming oral traditions into mass media. His haunting ballads, especially “Aamale Sodhlin Ni”, mourned the death of Nepali soldiers abroad and resonated deeply across generations. Active from 1965 until his death in 2003, he recorded over 100 songs, blending folk and classical styles. His music preserved indigenous narratives and challenged caste-based exclusion, earning him national reverence. Jhalakman’s legacy lives on as a cultural bridge—his voice remains a symbol of dignity, sorrow, and resilience.