Biography of Narayan Gopal (May 2006)

(Our special thanks to Mr GPTimalsena for this report)

• Dr. Bholoa Rijal ( Senior Gynecologist)
• Mr. Tapanath Shukla ( Former GM , NTV & Radio Nepal)
• Mr. Rajendra Sallav ( Film Director)
• Mr. Prakash Shrestha ( Senior Singer))
• Mr. Nagendra Thapa ( Senior Lyrist)

Details of the Press release

"The Need of the Hour- Biography

I sincerely thank you for attending this little Meet of ours. I would like to share some feelings of mine which led me towards making of Biography. I have spent around 10 years of my career close to the Nepalese Music Industry. Although I am not an applauded musician myself ( I have myself written over 25 recorded songs), I have always been a great music lover. I have run many musical programs, made over 50 music videos, have made documentaries and corporate films, carried out promotional campaigns, made over 35 television commercials and have almost touched everything in the electronic media.

Being close to the Nepalese Music Industry has proved to be my greatest strength, and unfortunately my greatest fear as well. Our Music Industry have produced so many legends but hardly of them received the acknowledgement that they deserve. In fact there remains a fear of loosing of the identity in the future.

With years of understanding of the Music Industry and experience of making programs, I, at the moment find myself at the right juncture from where I could really contribute to the Industry.

Biography reflects my passion and love to the Nepalese Music Industry and I have made a promise to myself to showcase the work of legends to the world. The music lovers are the one responsible for the existence of the Music Industry and they deserve to know the idols they listen to.

I really want our future generations to listen to the typical Nepali Music and acknowledge the musicians as well. And I believe Biography would help in some way to keep the memories alive.

To be frank enough, I realize that I should have started this project a little later i.e. after gaining more knowledge and expertise. But the age of remixes has pushed me to provide all necessary information that acknowledge the originality of the music right now.

I am sincerely looking forward to the comments and suggestions.

With heartily regards
GP Timalsena
Director/Presenter
Biography"
 

BIOGRAPHY

Biography is a program that unfolds the musical journey of the pioneers. And these pioneers are the people who have achieved unattainable heights. These personalities have left a never ending impression in the heart of the Nepalese people as well as the outsiders.

Biography will provide the closest of the looks on the idols. Behind each success, there remains an unseen and unheard chapter of struggle and we are going to unfold that as well. Biography - this program will not just give us an insight on the legendary feats, but will also showcase their childhood days, their struggles, their family affairs, and each little possible information.

Biography is a carefully researched, relatively full account of the facts on the life of the person with closely related group of people. Biography is of great importance to keep the identities alive forever. This program is a SALUTE from Promoters Nepal to the legends who made our head held high.

The Program is a series of episodes being aired on Nepal 1 Television (Monday -9.15 p.m). The program is directed and presented by Mr. GP Timalsena and a production of Promoters Nepal.

We believe our commitment deserves attention and we always look forward to the comments and suggestions to make our work more meaningful.

About Promoters Nepal

Promoters Nepal is a media farm established in the year 1998. It has many dedicated and greatly composed projects in its credit. It has been involved in making documentary films, making television programs for different channels, making commercial ads, making music videos and much more.

Promoters Nepal is a media farm which also works with an objective of showcasing our culture, religion, traditions, life and music to the outer world. The objective of this farm is not solely business oriented, but this farm also aims at attracting everyone’s attention towards the preservation of our rich culture and music. Promoters Nepal is also making Nepalese people aware of their own value of native culture, language, music and art.

PROMOTERS NEPAL
(The Media Farm)
Suruchi Marg, New Baneshwor
Ph: 4780680 Fax: 4780748
Web: www.promotersnepal.com
 

Image Channel Award Show 2061 Held on May 28th, 2005
Review by Pratichya Dulal

Image has been hosting this award for a number of years now. They bring out a list of categories and the nominees too, and let the audience choose their favorite artists. It's a tough competition and hats off to all for winning the heart of all those audience. Image too deserves a pat on the back for bringing out fair winners. Fair results motivate to work hard for the next time as well.

However all was not well with Image award show too, after having such a long experience they ought to have paid extra attention about occupancy. Nominees ending up without seats show poor management of the organizers. The Hall was over crowded, which proved that the number of music lovers has increased in recent time.

Just before the show had started, the organizers were checking their screen. During their testing period they showed the result of the best vocal performance male on the right screen.

The artists called up to perform on the stage had been requested to perform only one song, but 1974 AD proved exception to the request by singing two songs. Well, if you're on the top u can get away with anything. This, however, made host Suraj to rephrase his speech and say 'whenever 1974 AD performs I want to say thanks after every song.'
Despite the over crowded hall, delayed show and a few slips, overall it was a good one. Had the show started on time, the winners would have been able to say their words of thanks as the winners of best "dohari" category could not say their two words...Pratichya Dulal

Click here for Pictures and Results

Click Here For Pictures

• Event : Hits FM Music Award 2061
• Date : Jan 14th, 2005
• Live on NTV from 3 pm onwards.

Nominees in various categories :-

July 4th 2004

Phoenix, Arizona - USA
Nepathya Nite calls off The ANA Convention 2004

The 22nd Annual Convention of the Association of the Nepalese in the Americas - has concluded here in Phoenix with Nepathya performing as the closing act. The 23rd ANA Convention is to meet in Texas next year.

Nepathya was amongst the highlights of the conventions. Fans from as far as New York had flown in just make it for the concert. "I will certainly make it DC as well, I danced a lot today but am not yet satisfied - will certainly make it to DC" said Sushil Gurung, a New York based Nepathya fan.

"I have been following concerts and ANA convention for the past few years - and for me this has been the most electrifying experience. The most decently packaged professional show I have ever seen from a Nepali Artist in the US " said Texas based Pukar, who had attended the convention full time.

From the music video of Sa... Karnali shown prior to the show to super hits like - Chekyo Chekyo, Resham and Bhedako Oon..... and social numbers like Rangeen Chara to patriotic numbers like - Hamro Khusiko lagi, Gaun Gaun Bata to Rato ra Chandra Surya..... all were very well received by the audience present at the Double Tree Resort Hall.

Amrit Gurung did utlise this moment to extend his wish for Nepalese brotherhood amongst Nepalese living all over. " I urge all Nepalese to come together and think about our Nation - and contribute from your respective capacities to resolve peace in our Nepal " Amrit said. His statement did receive a roar of applaud from the all age group mixed audience.

 Check out some pictures from ANA Show in Arizona...
Nepalisite.com would like to thank Mr. Kiran Shrestha of Nepa-laya (http://www.nepa-laya.com) for providing us some pictures and review.

Pepsodent Sangitik Itihaas - 2060

Presented by: Siddhartha Art Gallery and World Peace Propagation Forum

Sponsored by: Mayos, Horlicks, Chabaaza, SAV.

Sangitik Itihaas – 2060, Malai Shanti Chahiyeko Chha (I need peace) was organized on March 27 at BICC to summon aid for creating a children’s park in Sinamangal. The show, in which a dozen of celebrated artists and bands tendered their voice and music to school children’s entreaties for peace, was the first of its kind in the history of musical events in Nepal.

All of the poems were an appeal by these children for peace which artists sang in their own composition. Hard to grasp the words as it may have been with music, MCs Jay Nishant and Yasashwi Shah, the Fair & Lovely beauty, later read each poem aloud while the audience listened intently, marveling at the intensity and maturity of ideas displayed in the poetry.

The first of the performers were Sur Sudha and Anil Shahi. Anil, who is a classical-based guitarist, filled in for Sur Sudha’s Sitar player for that particular show. Together, they enthralled the audience with soulful melodies on tabla, flute and guitar. Next came 1974 AD’s Firoj Syangden and his seven-year-old daughter Rosenita who sang almost flawlessly. Perhaps the most rapturous welcome was received by 1974 AD. As a foretaste of their new album, the band gave the audience Pinjadako Suga and Guransai Fulyo- two numbers that jal reached the high notes of the song Asha remarkably well. (why wouldn’t he reach? He stands almost seven feet !!!) Raman Shrestha’s Sangai Gaauna was quite forgettable but the second song he sang had the most beautiful composition. There wasn’t much to see in Aastha band’s performance with Naren singing all alone. (No, the band has not split! Sudip, the other member, is in London for his studies.) Karma band’s Timro Maunatama was excellent but their second song was not up to much.

Karna Das’ voice accorded the right treatment and intensity to Sophina Luitel’s poem Shantiko Kamana. On audience’s request, the singer also sang his latest hit Thula-Thula Mahal Hoina. Nalina Chitrakar would have been very ordinary had it not been for one song Gori Kaali Mori. And similar could be said of Dipak Bajracharya ; Juju Nana Nana Nana being his saving grace. His voice and music did some justice to the poem Malai Shanti Chahiyeko Chha but the English song he sang didn’t quite add up. By the time Nirwan N’ Music Link took up the stage, half of the audience had left as it was already late since the show did not start along the lines. Still the band put up a spirited performance. Hats off to them!

The real stars of the show were the young school children whose poems came as a privilege to the singers and the bands. The children each received a letter of appreciation and a gift hamper from the artistes.

The event also saw the release of the album "Shantiko Sapana" which is a collection of the songs written by these young poets.

By Sudarsun Koirala

Click here For Pictures

JAZZ AT PATAN (March 24th/2004)

Jazzmandu--Kathmandu Jazz Festival 2004

Jazz came in as a break from western traditional, popular and classical music when, in 1895, New Orleans’ African-American musicians explored the possibilities of combining the essence of spirituals, ragtime, blues, and marches into creating a fresh brand of music. Much as its history is hard to find and follow, it is believed that the first Jazz was played by African-American and Creole musicians in New Orleans, and the first musician ever to play Jazz was Buddy Bolden.

With fusion experiments and Jazz’s popularity, both increasing steadily in Nepal, Jazz is slowly representing a break from the popular and classical music tradition of our country. One might say, Jazz is being introduced to Nepal in particularly the same fashion it was introduced to the world a century ago. However, it has come to us most successfully in the form of Indo-Jazz fusion.

In the fifties, American Jazz musicians John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy sought rich flavors of Indian music to jazz up their compositions. Teaming up with Indian legends like Ravi Shankar and T.S Vinayak in the sixties, John played saxophone alongside the Sitar and the Tabla maestros. The early seventies saw the likes of John McLaughlin and his Mahavishnu and Shakti bands take Indo-Jazz fusion to new heights. But things calmed down after this storm and remained as such until the late eighties when Indo-Jazz fusion suddenly found its renaissance. Since then, it has continued to capture audiences all over the world with unique and lively combination of Indian classical and western instruments at the hands of musical geniuses.

On March 24 at Patan Museum, we witnessed the very best of Jazz and Indo-Jazz fusion. One of the eleven programs of Jazzmandu 2004, Jazz at Patan exhibited scintillating performances by

1. Gurudev Kamad – Vocals (Classical Ragas)
2. Cadenza and Friends
• Navin Chhetri – Drums, Vocals
• Gaurab Raj Pandey – Keyboards
• Pravin Chhetri –Trumpet and Guitar
• Jigmee Dorje Sherpa – Guitar and Congas
• Chi (Laxmi Raj) Thapa – Bass Guitar
3. Max Lolo – Acoustic Guitar
4. Manose Singh – Bamboo flute
5. Hannah Vasanth Trio – Piano, Keyboard
6. Brigitte Beraha - Vocals
7. Santosh Bhakta - Ishraaj
8. Peter Kroutil - Saxophone
9. Suresh Raj Bajracharya – Sarod
10. Charles Gatt – Drums and Vibraphone
11. Rabin Lal Shrestha – Tabla
12. Tom Mason – Bass Guitar
13. Siddhant Thapa – Percussion
14. Tipriti Kharbangar – Vocals
15. Gaurav Basnet – Bass

Click Here for some pictures

By Sudarsun Koirala (Nepalisite.com)--With sincere thanks to Bidhya Baidhya, Hits Fm 91.2, for the information on Indo-Jazz fusion.

7th Close Up Hits Music Award Show was held on Feb 18th at Birendra International Convention Center, Kathmandu.  Senior Musician/Artist, Prem Dhoj Pradhan was honored with "Life Time Achievement Award" where as Karna Das bagged two awards including "Song Of The Year" and "Best Male Vocal Performance."  Following is the list of award holders in different categories :-

Categories

Award Holders

Best New Artist

Shital/Shuvani

Best Song in a Foreign Language

One Day At A Time by Robin N Looza

Folk Record of the Year

Tyo Pari Banma by Prakash Acharya

Folk Album of the Year

Jhaljhali Aakhaima by Tulsi Parajuli

Best Song Originally Recorded For A Motion Picture Soundtrack

Sukha Dhuka by Sambojeet Banskota

Best Performance by a Group or Duo with Vocals

Timilai Dhekhera by Mongolian Hearts

Best Pop Vocal Performance (female)

Pani Pani by Nalina Chitrakar

Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male)

Preeti Basyo by Nima Rumba

Best Vocal Collaboration

Timi Bina by Uday and Manila Sotang

Best Female Vocal Performance

Sagar Baru by Sapna Shree

Best Male Vocal Performance

Timi Mero by Karna Das

Song Of The Year

Sarangi Ta by Madhav P Ghimire

Record of The Year

Thula Thula Mahal by Karna

Album of The Year

Nabin by Nabin K Bhattarai

Congratulations To All.

For world peace, International Guitar Festival & The first Ethnomusicology Seminar was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from Oct 11th till Oct 13th.  It was Organized by "Classical Guitar Society of Nepal", Fort Resort and Malpi International College.
Master of Ceremony was Chiraj Bangdel, and the welcome speech was given by Kishor Gurung, the President of "Classical Guitar Society of Nepal".
Following was the schedule with performers:-

October 11, 2003 4 PM at Hotel Shanker
Opening Ceremony
Performance by Woratep Rattna-Umpawan 4 PM
Intermission
Performance by Leon Koudelak (Liechtenstein)


October 12, 2003 4 PM at Hotel Shanker
Performance by Kishor Gurung at 4 PM
Intermission
Performance by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Offermann (Germany)


October 13, 2003 1 PM at The Fort Resort - Nagarkot
Ethnomusicology Seminar
Informal Evening Concert

Guest Artists were as follows :-

(click here for pictures)

"Women in Concert" was held at Thamel Dechling Garden on Sept 26th of 2003. Avaya (lead vocalist) told us that, this show was most probably the first concert in Nepal with five female performing together on one stage. Sapana Thapa, Bidhaya Shrestha, Pamu and Rachana Gurung were the rest of the gang. Program started at 8 pm and lasted till 10 p.m. All the females sang solo in turns as well as a group song. Mostly English songs were performed even with "Tamang Selo" (ethnic song) beat.
After the show, Rachana Gurung who is also a fashion Choreographer, told us that it was her first performance with less practice was a little hard for her to perform. We wished her all the best in coming shows.

Dinner followed the show where the charge was only Nrs 750 that included the tickets and snacks.

Gaurav(Cadenza) helped in Key Board, Rajat in Guitars, Chandan in Guitars, Ritesh (Steam Engine) in Bass, and Alec(Ozo Bozo) in Drums.
Crowd was huge but the venue was small. Nevertheless it was a success.
(click here for pictures)

"M3 Festival" presented by Kathmandu Post, was held at Bhrikuti Mandap from Sept 5th till Sept 7th. Various artist participated in this event where Music, Momo and Movies entertained the crowd, and was the theme of the event as well.

Samir Karmacharya from Environment Television Production gave a positive response towards the event. However the ground was muddy due to bad rain. he further added 'Hilo Le Garda barbad Bhayo'. Venue was not suitable. I think its M4 festival (Momo,Music, Movies and MUD), funny."
But most of the crowd were dancing in muddy ground, some fully covered with mud.
Following were the bands/artist :-

Third World chaos Brutal Lem Raltz The Axe Band Robin n Looza Girish & Unity, Anil Singh Kool Pokhrael Sanjeep Singh Nalina Depesh K Bhattarai Kamal Man singh Backing Band The angels Prathana The Buds The Season Mongolian Hearts
	Please Click On The Picture for More

Supported by Nepalisite.com the Agency presented Nima Rumba & Khem Gurung at Rox bar, Hyatt regency on August 23rd. Local Band "Thunderbolt" was an opening group who performed some English numbers.
Khem Gurung then started his performance with his hits songs such as "Khola ko Chiso Pani" & "Eka dashi Bazarima."

Nima Rumba soon followed Khem Gurung With backing band "The Angels" with songs like "Block Heel Shoes", "Oh Aau na", "Priti Basyo."
Kathmandu Professional Models Also Participated in the show. Gautam Mandhar from Agency thanked Nepalisite.com for coverage.
The program was sponsored by "Royal Stag" Whiskey. Special thanks to Gautam, Pratikshya, and Rashmi for working hard for this event.

(click here for pictures)

Heart Breakers, Nepal's Heart performed a show on August 16th at Radisson Hotel Casino, which is brand new.  They covered songs of artists of 60 “s till 21St century , such as Elvis , CCR, Pink Floyd.  Besides, they performed lots of Jazz and Soft Rock Numbers.  They even fulfilled some of the requests from audience by playing songs of Bryan Adams, 1974 AD, and Yogeshowr Amatya.  Program ended at round 11:45 p.m.  

Heartbreakers

"Save the Children" program was held on August 2nd at Royal Nepal Academy, organized by "PA NEPAL."  Indira Rana chairperson, of "Pa Nepal" welcomed guest, and also briefed about the "Pa Nepal" working towards children  that are in prison.  Show was hosted by Samdhea Sherpa, popular comedian where he also performed various funny acts.  Director Pratap Subba was the chief guest of the program which collected funds for children in prison. 

(click on the picture at the right for more pictures)

Following artists/bands entertained the audience during the program :-

"Fiesta", "Hip Hop" and "Rap" show took place at Hyatt Regency on August 9th where "Hip Hop" and "Rap" groups of Nepal performed live.  Show started at around 3 pm with an instrumental number by "X-Marika."  "Shree King", "Rappaz Union", "Lazy Boy" from Canada performed "Hip Hop" and "Rap" Numbers.  New album of "Shree King" was also released on the same day, which is also their first "Hip Hop" album.
Besides "Hip Hop" and "Rap" music, there was a heavy metal group called "Justice Nowhere" consisting of three female members, who performed "mind blowing numbers".  The trio criticized the politicians, Maoist, Corrupted Government, Nepali cops. "X-Marika" also performed their popular number "Mero Nepal."  Lastly, Dj Subarna entertained the crowd playing some Dancing number, where some of the Kathmandu Models (Manjil Rajiv, Arpana) were also shaking their body on the dance floor. More than 500 people showed up where the cover charge was Nrs. 170 per person. Click Here For pictures.

Deepak Bajaracharya kicked off with his band members live at "MOKSH" on Aug 9th. Deepak performed songs like "Sun San TyoRaat", "Priya", "Maya ko Dorile", "Jiu da Jihudai", "Rithu" and more.  Deepak also performed few English numbers including "Stand By Me."  It was a small venue with huge turnout. Some fans were not happy due to the fact the show ended at early (ended at around 9 p.m.).  According to the owner Nirakar (member of 1974AD) the bar needs to be closed early to avoid nebihor's compaint.

Spandan Saanj organized by Nepal Film Technician took place on July 26th/2003 at Royal Nepal Academy.  Foreign Minister Sarvendra Nath Sukla was the chief guest of the show managed by Sharp Arrows P. Ltd.

Opening dance was a "Shiva" dance performed by "Nateswori Sangeet Bidhalya".  Various dances were performed by dancers from "Kamana Kala kendra".  "Thali" dance was also performed by Mahesh. 

Beside dancers, there were singers as well who performed their hit numbers.  Here are some of the songs performed :-

Film Stars such as Rajesh Hamal, Mithila Sharma, Bashundara Bhusal, Ashok Sharma, Shayam Ghimire also did their performance on beautifuly decorated stage (decorated by Art director-- Nirzal Sherestha), entertained the audience.

Later in the show, awards were awarded to Murari Thakur, Gopal Bhutani, Sambhu dev, Javed Saha, Padeep Upadhiya, Basanta Jang Rayamajhi, Gahendra dhimal, Gayani Shova Tuladhar, Udhav raj Bhattrai(a.k.a. Junghe Bhattrai), Bishnu Lama, Narayan Timilsina, and Krishna Timilsina. (click here for pictures). 

Heavy Metal hasn't gone yet. Recently (July 26th) three young guys (Avash Chipalu, Robin Rana, and Partha Joshi) organized a heavy metal show at Mahindra Police Club. Metal Melts was the name of the concert where various local bands participated. Some of bands were Muga, Brutal, Albatross, Third World Chaos, X-Marika, among others who performed heavy metal numbers.
Partha Joshi, one of the organizer told us that their goal is to reach out to heavy metal fans, and he also added that the had just finished +2 exams and was a good opportunity to organize a show.
Sarita Gurung, and Nahmton Nembang from R.C. Thamel, were some of many attendees told us that they enjoyed the show that had "mind blowing numbers".
Metal Melts didn't have any sponsors but parents helped in organizing. (Pictures coming soon--check at photo galleries).

Former vocalist/bassist of POLICE, Sting was on his personal visit to Nepal from July7th till July18th.  During his visit, he met with Crown Prince and Princess at Jeevan Kung.  He was accompanied by his son and two friends Bobby Sagar, and Simon Astaire.

-->On the occasion of King's birthday, New Road Mahatsov was held in Kathmandu on July 12th . Program full of entertainment was inaugurated by Crown Prince.  Some of the special attraction included food stall, flea market and games.  There was a concert as well, where the winner of No 1. Rock Jatra, E started the pr