‘We should be true to our own style’

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Sept. 30: The chance of receiving three different awards within a month’s time is something that does not favor anyone no matter how diligent and hardworking he or she may be. But by bagging "Nepal Samman-2058", "Life Time Achievement Award on Motion Picture-2058" and "Nepal Rastriya Chalachitra Samman-2058" within a period of one month, musician Shambhujeet Baskota has proved his mettle in the heart of music lovers.

Another notable aspect about Baskota, 41, could be his successful attempt in composing 59 different musical tones in a newly released musical movie called "Gauthali".

"In my reading, Gauthali is a movie with a large number of different musical tones. This has contributed significantly to the success of the movie," Baskota, the recipient of about a dozen of awards, says. It is Baskota who is the musician of that movie.

Within ten years of prediction of noted singer late Narayan Gopal Gurubacharya, Baskota emerged out to become an inseparable part in the Nepalese music sector without whose endeavor the making of celluloid Nepali movies remains incomplete.

During his 25 years’ career as a musician, Baskota has contributed his music to about 157 celluloid cinemas and to dozens of tele-serials and soap operas.

So much so, Baskota, a graduate in various disciplines including music, has a lot of signature tunes like in the logo music of Nepal Television, logo music of NTV’s news, slogan for cancer relief society and so on.

Baskota’s command over the traditional, folk, classical and popular music also rests in making the music of historical movies like "Prempinda", "Simarekha" and "Basanti" successful and melodious.

"I studied a lot about the music and musical instrument of the Rana period before setting music to the songs of films like "Prempinda" and "Basanti", he says.

"More than that his ingenuity lies in blending the traditional folk music with the taste of modern audience," Durga Aryal of Baneshwore appreciates him.

"More importantly, some of Baskota’s musical debuts have replaced Hindi songs on social occasions like marriage ceremony.

Famous Nepali singers ranging from Narayan Gopal to Ram Krishna Dhakal, and Navin Bhattarai to Devika Pradhan feel comfortable in singing to Baskota’s musical composition. He has not only prepared musical tune to Nepali singers but also to notable Hindi artistes like Asha Bhosle, Kabita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam and Kumar Sanu.

Also a singer by himself, Baskota believes that it is their responsibility to preserve and promote Nepali culture and tradition.

"But we should be true to our own style and tradition, he replies as to whether he copied western musical trend.

A lover of Yadav Kharel and Neer Shah’s lyrics, Baskota was in his sweet seventeen when he received the gold medal from His late Majesty King Mahendra for the performance in his debut play "Bhakta Pralhad".

Apart from composing music to a number of songs, Baskota presently works as the music director at Royal Nepal Academy. He is also associated with other institutions related with music and dance.

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