Manila Sotang

Ustad Asha Gopal was a respected classical vocalist from Kathmandu and the father of Swor Samrat Narayan Gopal. He was deeply involved in the devotional music culture of New Road, Kilagal, and surrounding temple areas, where he regularly led and participated in bhajan–kirtan traditions. During Narayan Gopal’s childhood, Ustad Asha Gopal often took him along to these bhajan mandalis, where the young Narayan accompanied the ensemble on basic instruments, absorbing classical discipline and devotional musical structure from an early age.Although formal recordings of Ustad Asha Gopal have not been found, his influence is widely acknowledged in oral histories. His grounding in classical and devotional music shaped the early musical environment that nurtured Narayan Gopal’s sense of melody, discipline, and vocal purity. Researchers consider him an important figure in Kathmandu’s traditional music circles of the early 20th century.

Shantiram Rai (also known as Pragya Shanti Ram Rai) is a highly respected Nepali music composer, singer, and songwriter originally from Khotang, Diktel. Active for over four decades, he is recognized as one of the most influential creators in modern Nepali folk and contemporary music. His official profile describes him as a “Renowned Music Composer, Singer, Songwriter in the Nepali Music Industry.”A prolific creator, Shantiram Rai has composed more than 2,000 songs, a milestone highlighted during his major solo concert covered by Kantipur Daily, which celebrated his lifelong contribution to Nepali music. His work spans folk, lok‑pop, patriotic, sentimental, and modern Nepali genres, and he is known for both studio compositions and powerful live performances.His albums such as Aagaman (2011), Musukkai Hasera (2011), and Dui Mutu (2010), along with singles like “Swadeshmai Rojagari” (2024) and “Shiraima Hamro Charatare Jhanda” (2025), reflect his evolving musical identity across decades.In recent years, he has been actively performing solo musical concerts (Ekal Saanjh) across Nepal, collaborating with respected artists such as Smita Pradhan, Shambhu Rai, Uday Sotang, Manila Sotang, Kankaisht Rai, Roshan Rai, and many others. His concerts feature both his classic hits and new compositions, often broadcast live on national platforms like NTV.

Dharmendra Sewan is a Nepali singer, songwriter, composer and performer. He released his debut single "Yo Andheri Raat" in 2002. He started his career a band called Damage Glitters. Later he had a solo career as a singer in venued in Lakeside, Pokhara. Sewan auditioned for season 1 of Nepali Tara by singing "Aba Chotharule Piroldaina Malai" from the movie 'Allare'. He ended up as a first runner-up in 2005 behind winner Deepak Limbu.

Sajjan Raj Vaidya is a Nepalese singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer, and producer based in New York City. He released his debut single, "Aaja Matra", in 2014 and rose to prominence after the release of his singles "Hawaijahaj" and "Chitthi Bhitra".