HIMAL Southasian is a monthly newsmagazine of commentary, reportage, criticism, opinion, review, fiction and poetry, based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Published and distributed by The Southasia Trust, Himal Southasian is an independent, non-nationalist and pan-regionalist magazine, offering stories for the entire region of South Asia. The editor and publisher of the magazine is Kanak Mani Dixit.

Himal defines South Asia differently than the typical political blocking of countries. In its designation, it includes the nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and the autonomous region of Tibet. Other distinctive choices in terminology include its favouring of 'Southasia' as one word, and its use of 'Burma' instead of Myanmar.

The magazine debuted in 1987 as the bimonthly 'Himal', with a focus on the Himalaya region. 'Himal' became the monthly 'Himal Southasian' in 1996, shifting focus to include a broader definition of South Asia. Through this Himal Southasian intends to promote understanding and peaceful cooperation in South Asia.

Despite its regional focus, Himal Southasian has a global readership, distributed across South Asia, as well as Europe and the USA. The magazine content can also be accessed from the website www.himalmag.com.

References[link]

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Tagged since August 2011. It may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since February 2011. Very few or no other articles link to it. Please help introduce links to this page from other articles related to it. Tagged since July 2011.

Usha Rajak (Nepali: उषा रजक); born 1985, is a professional Nepalese actress and model.^[1][2]

Beauty Pageants[link]

The first title she won in her modeling career was Sunsilk Miss Beautiful Hair, at Lux Beauty Star 2004. She then competed and won the title and represented Nepal in World Miss University, South Korea 2006. She was also able to secure the Best Actress award from the National Theatre Actors Competition held in Nepal in 2005. She was one of the most deserving contestants of Miss Nepal 2008, which was withdrawn due to adverse political situation in Nepal. She later won the award for the HIV/AIDS awareness movie One Day as the Best Newcomer Actress at Digital Film Award, Nepal 2009.^[3]

Filmography[link]

Usha started her film career from one of the successful Nepalese movie directors, Ram Prasad Rijal's 'One Day.' She gained successs in Nirak Poudel'sKusume Rumal 2 through her profound acting capability and ‘Eku – The Jungle Man’ managed to gain another great success in the Nepalese movie industry through her leading role in the movie.

Apart from the movies, Usha's modeling career started with music videos with one of the most successful Nepalese Directors, Alok Nembang. Her first music video was one of the most listened and top charted music videos of Nepal, 'I love you' by Anil Singh. Alok Nembang's support proved to be a new limelight in Usha's career. Her face was well-known among her Nepalese fans by mid 2006 as more of her music videos were released with Dipesh Kisore Bhattarai and other successful and well-known Nepalese singers which were directed by Alok Nembang. She starred in music videos such as Reeza Upreti's Angaloma, Satya Raj Acharya's Timilai Jaba Dekchu, etc. She later worked with other Nepalese directors who commented positively in the Nepalese media about her professionalism and talent. She has been featured on the coverpage of an international magazine 'Lifestyle' (July 2005).

See also[link]

Cinema of Nepal
Kusume Rumal 2

References[link]

External links[link]

• http://moviesnepal.com/usha-rajak-congratulation-new-mother/
• http://www.cybernepal.com.np/article.php?aid=2596
• http://www.missnepal.com.np/08_12_usha.php

Narayan Gopal Guruacharya (Nepali: नारायण गोपाल गुरूवाचार्य) (October 4, 1939 - December 5, 1990) is the most prominent and popular singer and composer in the history of Nepali music. He is popularly referred to as "Swar Samrat" (Nepali: स्वर सम्राट, meaning: Emperor of Voice) in Nepali music. He is also known as "Tragedy King." He is well known as a singer as well as a composer. His voice range allowed him to sing songs of every genre of Nepali music. His songs are often richly orchestrated with the sitar, harmonium and flute. He belongs to the first generation of Nepali singers who took singing as a profession. His songs have also been used in movies and dramas.

Personal life[link]

Narayan Gopal Guruacharya was born into a Newar family in Kilagal Tole, Kathmandu, on October 4, 1939 (18 Asoj, 1996 B.S.) to father Asha Gopal Guruacharya and mother Ram Devi Guruacharya. He had five brothers and six sisters. He completed his School Leaving Certificate (S.L.C) exams in 2016 B.S. and obtained Bachelor of Art degree in Humanities from Tri-Chandra College. Later he also went to Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda to study classical Indian music, but returned without completing his studies. He married Pemala Lama in 1971 (Falgun 2027 B.S.). Later he joined the Rastriya Naach Ghar (National Dance Theater) and rose to the post of manager (hakim). He also worked as the editor of a musical journal Bageena (बागीना) for its first three issues around 2028 B.S. He became the managing director of Sanskritik Sangsthan (Cultural Center) from 2036-05-10 to 2040-10-04 B.S.; became adviser to the Ministry of Communication from 2046-04-16 on wards; and an associate professor in Lalit Kala Campus. He also wrote a musical drama titled Kanchi Masyang (कान्छी मस्याङ).

Personality[link]

People who knew him during his lifetime recount some of his personality: He had a considerable knowledge of history. He was an enthusiastic photographer; and he loved to watch football; he was a good chess player. In the kitchen, he was a good cook. Apart from singing, he liked to spend considerable effort in organizing various events. In his editorship, the first editions of Bageena (बागीना) magazine was issued.

Early career[link]

The potential of his vocal talent was first recognized by his friend Manik Ratna Sthapit. Manik Ratna, who used to live in the neighboring Pyukha Tole, and Prem Dhoj Pradhan, who used to live in Bheda Singh Tole used to get together and do vocal practices using Hindi songs. But Narayan Gopal, however, would joke around by changing the words of the songs that they used to sing. Prem Dhoj and Manik Ratna recounts that he used to change the Hindi words into Nepali, thus damaging the melody of the songs to comical effect. Manik Ratna's household was like a kind of a music school since his uncle, Siddhi Ratna Sthapit, was an expert instrumentalist. In B.S 2016, after completion of his S.L.C exams, Prem Dhoj Pradhan took him to Radio Nepal to take a voice test. He sang "Panchi ko pankha ma dharti ko diyo," written by Dr. Ram Man Trishit and composed by Prem Dhoj Pradhan himself. He passed the voice test on his first trial. Narayan Gopal's first public musical performance was during the 40th anniversary of Tri Chandra College, which he agreed on to do so upon requests from his friends. During the performance he acted as the tabala player.

In his own household, Narayan's father, Asha Gopal Guruacharya, was a strict classical musician. His father did not allow any modern music, except for classical music, to be entertained in his house. Ustad Asha Gopal considered modern music as shallow and vulgar. It was in order to appease his father that he went to India to take up lessons in classical music in Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. But due to ill-adjustment, he dropped from the University after only four and half months. However one good outcome of his travel to India was his first record of songs.

First successes[link]

By that time Prem-Manik duo had started to sing their own compositions. Following suit Narayan Gopal too composed six original songs written by the contemporary poet Ratna Shumsher Thapa. In that collection four of the songs were for solo vocal (स्वर्गकी रानी, आँखाको भाखा आँखैले, भो भो मलाई नछेक, मधुमासमा यो दिल) and two were for duet ( बिछोडको पीडा and ए कान्छा ठट्टैमा यो बैंश जानलाग्यो). All these songs were eventually recorded in Kolkata, India, while he was in that country for his studies. These songs started to attract attention within Nepal and India, and in short time he became recognized as a major Nepali singer.

Nepal at the time had recently been liberated from Rana rule. Midst these wave of social and political changes, Narayan Gopal was able to lend his voice to songs related to love, life, hope, and patriotism. While the East-West highway was under construction, he recorded ‘जाग, जाग चम्क हे नौजवान हो,’ whereas in the fervor of patriotism ‘आमा ! तिमीलाई जलभरिका औंलाहरुले चुम्न’. Such songs made him popular among the youths of Nepal. His songs further evolved as he became more selective of songs with right combination of words, music, and emotions. Along with his contemporaries such as Pushpa Nepali, Bacchu Kailash, Tara Devi, Amber Gurung, Prem Dhoj Pradhan, Nati Kaji, Shiva Sankar, he added a new dimension to the modern Nepali music. To broaden his style, he started to hold discussions with his admirers, his competitors, and his critics. It was in this process of development that he visited Darjeeling, India, during the March 1965. The visit was fruitful for two reasons: there he met his long time fan and future wife, Pemala Lama, with whom he fell in love; and it was there that he met another young, struggling musician Gopal Yonzon, with whom he formed a close friendship as mitjyus, in part because both had Gopal as their names.

Partnership with Gopal Yonzon[link]

With the partnership of Gopal Yonzon during the later sixties, Narayan Gopal's music entered a new phase of development. In the words of Ishwar Bhallav, Narayan Gopal became the singer of the hearts of the Nepali people. It was in this phase that he started to sing his famous songs of love, loss, and tragedy; and he emerged as the most prominent singer of this era. At this time, the musicians of Nepal were starting to become more self conscious and were seeking to express themselves in original emotions and style. Originality was becoming increasingly important. It was also at this time that new sounds from the West, such as by the Beatles and Bob Dylan, were entering and influencing the music of Nepal. In order to confront the influence of Western pop music, a new consciousness and a new style of music was felt to be necessary. To meet these challenges, Narayan Gopal in partnership with Gopal Yonzon created songs that have since been ever popular in Nepal. Song like बिर्सेर फेरि मलाई नहेर, चिनारी हाम्रो धेरै पुरानो, तिम्रो जस्तो मुटु मेरो पनि, लौ सुन म भन्छु मेरो रामकहानी not only gave new lease of life to Gopal Yonzon's musical career, but it also carved a special niche for Narayan Gopal among the listeners of Nepali music.

Soon he found himself to be sought after by all the major composers of Nepal. He collaborated with established composers like Nati Kaji, Shiva Sankar, Amber Gurung, and Dharmaraj Thapa. He was starting to be known as the singer of intellect.

During the beginning of the seventies, he married his long time fan Pemala at the age of thirty-one. After their marriage his residence shifted for sometime to Pokhara and later for sometime to Hetauda. In Pokhara he became acquainted with the poet Bhupi Sherchan, while in Hetauda he became acquainted with fellow songwriter and composer Bhim Birag. As a result of the interactions, he composed and sang Bhupi Sherchan's सानै हुरीमा बैँसको सपना and अल्झेछ क्यारे पछ्यौरी तिम्रो चियाको बुट्टामा; and he sang Bhim Birag's तिमीले पनि मजस्तै माया दिएर हेर.

Later career[link]

After his short stay in Hetauda, Narayan Gopal returned to Kathmandu and managed to find a job in Rastriya Naach Ghar (National Dance Theater) with the help of his friends Manik Ratna and Janardan Sama. He had entered Naach Ghar as a mere instrumentalist, but he slowly rose to the post of a hakim (rector). While he was in Naach Ghar, he lost many of his friends or abandoned many of his previous collaborators. After he became the hakim of Naach Ghar, he was no longer in speaking terms with his early mentor Manik Ratna. Similarly, the relationship with his childhood friend Prem Dhoj became distant. After the marriage of his mitjyu Gopal Yonzon, the relationship between the two also dampened. Among the reasons for this was his fame, success, and growing arrogance.

At this stage of his life, he found himself confronting a new generation of Nepali youths. Among the young musical talents of that time, his partnership with Dibya Khaling took off; and he started lending his voice to Khalings compositions, thus initiating an another phase of his singing career. Songs like सँधै नै म हाँसे तिमीलाई रुवाई, मायाको आधारमा सम्झौता नै हुन्छ, बिपना नभइ helped to revive his popularity. During this stage he started to collaborate with new breed of songwriters such as Khyetra Pratap Adhikari, Kali Prasad Rijal, Norden Rumba, Dinesh Adhikari, and Bishwambhar Pyaukurel, while his relationship with his old collaborators was neglected. Among the composers of the new generation, he collaborated with the likes of Sambhujit Baskota, Bhupendra Rayamajhi, and Shubha Bahadur. In his late stage of career, he lent his considerable prestige to launch the career of many upcoming musicians. As such, he was willing to compromise his artistry and sing weak songs by new composers and songwriters. He also sang in film songs.

In total his career spanned twenty-eight years, during which he sang in eighteen movies and recorded a hundred and fifty-seven songs.

Death[link]

Narayan Gopal suffered from diabetes, yet had a propensity for sweetmeats. This habit led to his demise in December 5, 1990 (19 Mangsir, 2047 B.S.) in Bir Hospital, at 9 p.m. in Kathmandu, at an age of fifty-one. He died childless. Four of his brothers and three of his sisters still survive him.

Awards and Recognitions[link]

Narayan Gopal was awarded several national honours which include (all dates in Bikram Sambat):

• Best Composition (Radio Nepal) - 2023 B.S.
• Best Singer (Radio Nepal) - 2024 B.S.
• Ratna Record Award - 2039 B.S.
• Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Fourth - 2033 B.S.
• Indra Rajya Laxmi Award - 2040 B.S.
• Chhinalata Award - 2044 B.S.
• Jagadamba Shree - 2045 B.S.
• Urbashi Rang Award - 2047 B.S.
• Trishakti Patta, Third - 2048 B.S. (posthumously)

Biography in other media[link]

A short biography (available at first, second, and third) has been made as a tribute to Narayan Gopal.

Discography[link]

• Geeti Sradhanjali Vol 1-4 (2049-03-02)
• Swarneem Sandhya Vol 1-2
• Preyasi Ka Yaad Haru (2054-02-16)
• Prem Ko Mala
• Manche Ko Maya
• Malai Nasodha
• Lali Gurash Bhayechu
• Aljhe Cha Kyare
• Timro Mann Ma
• Geeti Yatra Vol 1 (2044-10-10)
• Narayan Gopal Ka Aadhunik Geet Haru Vol 1-9
• Malati Mangale (a musical drama)

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Sayami, Prakash. (2009). समानताको स्वर र असमानतको जीवन : नारायणगोपाल.[1]
• Sayami, Prakash. नारायण गोपाल: व्यक्ति एक, रुप अनेक. [2]
• Sayami, Prakash. (2011-11-19). मितेरी संगीतका सूत्रधारः गोपाल योञ्जन.http://artistnepal.com. [3]
• Thapa, Nagendra. सोम नारायणगोपाल. [4]
• Prasai, Narendra Raj. भूगोलभरि गुञ्जिरहने नारायणगोपाल.[5].
• Koirala, Achyut. नारायण गोपाल बारे थाहा नपाएका कुरा.[6]
• Artist Biography of Swar Samrat Narayan Gopal. [7]
• मंसिर १९, नारायण गोपाल र १९ रहस्य.[8]

External links[link]

• Narayan Gopal Songs Lyrics
• Narayan Gopal Songs [9]

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2011)

Anju Panta (Nepalese: अन्जु पन्त) is a Nepalese playback singer. Having lent her voice to popular numbers like the title song of Ma Timi Bina Marihaalchhu, Bhun bhun bolyo bhamara of Saput, Dil yo mero dil in Kismat, and Sustari sustari mannma for Darr, Anju has sung for 18 films and more than 100 Nepali melodious songs both in duets and solos. Her song Na binse timilai na paen timilai (न बिर्सें तिमीलाई न पाएँ तिमीलाई) is considered one of the best songs of her career.

Life and Career[link]

Anju Panta was born to Bishnu and Mana Maya in 1977. She sang a bhajan Manuwa manmai yogi banau. In 1998, Anju competed for the Nationwide Modern Song Competition organized by Radio Nepal and won. It was then she realized that she could truly aim to becoming a professional singer. She did many stage shows, and first noticed by the song “Kampan”, a remake of original Nepali hits. Her vocal scale, projection and pronunciation in the songs of Kampan received accolades even from music critics. Her dulcet voice in the remake of songs like, Maitighar and Reli Khola bagara remained at the top of the chart for many weeks in different countdowns. The song Kina udyo pankhi mana from the film Bagar became her career launcher in Nepali silver screen.

Personal Life[link]

In the year 2002 She got married to Manoj Raj Siwakoti, Monaj is also very popular modern and metal singer of nepal, acrobatic voice.They have a daughter too. Now they are not together, they split up recently.

Awards[link]

In December 2009, at the 13th Close Up Hits FM Music Award function, she bagged most of the titles, including Best Female Vocal Performance, and Best Record of the Year for "Nabirse Timilai", which is her biggest hit to date.^[1]

References[link]

• "Anju Pant Songs". http://supernepal.com/music?vq=Anju+Pant. 

1. ^ http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13026