Suresh Adhikari

Saran Kumar Pradhan (1943–1974) was one of Darjeeling’s most gifted lyricists, composers, and mandolin virtuosos, shaping the golden era of modern Nepali music. Born on 4 May 1943, he grew up in a culturally vibrant Darjeeling and taught himself banjo, harmonium, and mandolin with remarkable mastery. A science graduate from St. Joseph’s College, he later taught at St. Robert’s School, where he also composed the school anthem. A student of maestro Amber Gurung, Saran emerged as a leading figure of Adhunik music alongside Aruna Lama, whom he married in 1963. Their partnership produced timeless classics such as “Yaha Ful Nakhili Cha,” “Sabaile Bhanthe,” “Hera Na Hera Kancha,” and many others. His music club Sangeet Sangam became a creative hub that nurtured Darjeeling’s finest talents. Saran passed away in 1974 at just 31, leaving behind a luminous body of work that continues to define Nepali musical heritage.

Prakash Gurung is a respected Nepalese musician and singer from Darjeeling, celebrated for his emotive vocal style and enduring contribution to Nepali adhunik and folk music. Inspired in childhood, he trained under iconic figures such as Amber Gurung, Gopal Yonzon, Karma Yonzon, and Nati Kazi, and even assisted Narayan Gopal during performances in Darjeeling.Active since the 1970s, he is known for timeless songs like Binti Chha Hai, Othma Aljhiyeko Bachan Deu, and Ma Bhani Bacheko Priya, blending traditional melodies with emotional depth. His career spans playback singing, composition, and music direction, including collaborations with leading artists and performances such as his 2014 Paleti duet with his daughter Reema Hoda Gurung. He has also served as a judge on Nepali Tara and continues contributing to Nepali film music into the 2020s.

A Name who has over the years established himself as a genuine contender for the ‘best thing to happen’ to Nepali Sangeet in recent times is Alok Shree. One such name who has over the years established himself as a genuine contender for the ‘best thing to happen’ to Nepali Sugam Sangeet in recent times is a musician of immense reputation, Alok Shree. So, it did not come as a surprise when he was deservedly awarded by 'Narayan Gopal Smriti Prathisthan' with the prestigious 'Naryan Gopal Smriti Samman award' for his contributions. Alok Shree, who has launched over a dozen successful singers is also credited for rejuvenating the once sagging careers of singers with the likes of Ramkrishna Dhakal and Yam Baral topping the list. His musical prowess, however, has not been limited within the confines of Nepal for he in the past has been instrumental in bringing the legendary Indian ghazal singer Jagjit Singh into the forefront of Nepali music, not to mention Udit Narayan Jha often singing to his tunes.

Kalyan Singh is a Nepali composer and songwriter. His works include Santosh Lama‘s ‘Batuwa’, Hemanta Rana‘s ‘Raat Ki Raani’ and ‘Muskaan’, and Nima Rumba’s ‘Jaadu’, among others. He has also directed music for films — ‘Visa Girl’, ‘Mukhauta’ and ‘Hasiya’. With the knack of composing different styles of music, he is one of the capable composers of Nepali industry. Musical roots Singh was born on March 2, 1983. He was born into a musical family. His father, Bhagat Singh was an instrumentalist who worked at Radio Nepal and it was him who taught him music. He started learning music with the harmonium. By the age of seven, he had learnt the violin. Even though he learned and played music in the next several years, he had not planned to pursue music professionally. On the other hand, nobody in his family thought that he would be in the music filed. Turning point After completing his Bachelors level of education in 2002/3, Singh wanted to go to Australia for his further studies. But he was turned down and so he picked up music instead. With the help of his brother, renowned music director Raju Singh, he debuted as a singer with his first album titled ‘Fly’ in 2005/6. Singh had written and composed five songs out of seven tracks for ‘Fly’. However, ‘Fly’ didn’t go well. And so, he chose to become a composer. Moreover, an incident took place at one of the FM stations during the promotion of ‘Fly’. The ‘hurting’ episode made him determined to become a composer as he felt, “I won’t come to this FM station but my music will.” If that incident hadn’t taken place in his life, he wouldn’t have worked hard and become a composer. His willpower to become a composer was further supported and encouraged by photographer, cover designer, Lyricist Anil Sthapit.