Prominent Figure

Moktan has won the hearts of people

By KABI ADHIKARI

When a young girl in her post teens entered into Nepal from Darjeeling in 1980 searching for the opportunity to participate in a program with the famous song 'Kahilekahi Malai Pani Herideu Hai Pharkiyara' she never thought she would one day establish herself as a prominent female singer of Nepal .

Born in 1962, Ashad 29 in Darjeeling , Kunti Moktan is gifted with a soothing and melodious voice along with the flair for singing. She started her journey in singing from St. Xavier's high school Dilaram. When studying in Class 8, she passed vocal test in 'All India Radio Kurseong ' and, thus, began her journey. She had sung beautiful folk songs while in 'Kurseong'. It was in 1977 that she first recorded her song.

Moktan : Versatile singer

Having keen interest in music field, she used to play Harmonium since early age. She used to participate in school level contests, too. Besides, she also engaged in singing songs in her village. Her teachers and friends would always urge her to sing songs and encourage her.

This inspiration led her to participate in more such programs. This led to her earning recognitions and awards for her school. She also took formal classes on 'Classical Music' during her student life.

While colleagues, well- wishers and audience urged her to continue impressed by the beautiful songs she sang in the past, she kept herself very busy after coming to Kathmandu permanently in 1980 along with senior musician Shila Bahadur Moktan, with whom she has married.

Her first album has four songs and was recorded in Shree Ratna Recording in disc record system. 'Kahilekahi' is her first cassette album. Then, her albums came to the market one after another.

She made progress by leaps and bounds in the subsequent years. 'Mayalulai' was her next album released in 1995. It included eight melodious songs, and earned best selling award.

Likewise, Meroman, Kriti (Khutta Tandai Gara), Kusum (Choli Ramro Palpali Dhakako, Sunkai Bhau Chha), Kamero (Dali Dalima, Humla Jumla), Collection (collection of hit songs) are her further albums.

“While traveling to various parts of Nepal in the course of stage performance I have found that people still love to listen to folk and modern songs,” said Moktan.

Moktan feels very comfortable singing in the music composition of her talented husband Sheela Bahadur Moktan. Almost 75 percent of her songs have earned popularity on his music composition, admits Moktan. Her vocal has given touchy and sensitive selection of words, the right feeling. Most people, today, know Moktan through her various songs. Her immense popularity has led her to visit many countries. She has performed in about 20 countries including the USA , Japan , England , Hong Kong , Germany , Switzerland , Korea etc.

Because of her marvelous songs, she has bagged a number of awards including Chhinnalata, Bhupalman Singh Yuba Puraskar, Niraman Samman ( Sikkim ), Diploma honor from Boston College of London, Hits F.M, Music Nepal awards etc.

Mokatan keeps herself busy by teaching music in Global, Cambridge , Paragon, Oasis, Jagat Mandir, Novs, Siddartha Bidyapith, Shangrila, Manokamana (College), Trungram, and St. Joseph colleges as a part time teacher.