NATIONAL8 (Spotlight Weekly]

KISHOR GURUNG

Gentle Guitarist

Shy and humble, guitarist Gurung has many things to boast of

By A CORRESPONDENT

Talented and renowned guitarist Kishore Gurung has secured mastery in guitar playing. He has many fans inside and outside the country. In the melting pot of contemporary Nepali Culture, he represents a globalized generation.

Gurung : Neglected artist

Born in 1956, Gurung did his Masters of Art in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa in 1992 and Bachelor in Music form San Francisco Conservatory of Music from California in 1983.

"I am very keen to share my opinion regarding Nepalese music," said Guitarist Gurung, elder son of noted musician and singer Ambar Gurung, in his modest room.

For Kishor, guitar is a medium of excellence. This is the reason Gurung's music has been able to lure a large number of fans and lovers.

Gurung is planning to release some new music albums in coming years. What makes his music different than others? Gurung offers a tune mixed with traditional Nepali music. "I make the music only for the satisfaction of all people."

Although Gurung is regarded as one of the best guitarists in the country, he has hardly made any effort to project himself. "I will play what I know but perhaps this is not a proper time."

As a musician with high academic background, he prefers music with certain rhythm and values. The mood and atmosphere of the music are the essence of his performance. He is particular about it to the point of nit-picking.

At a time when `Pop' music was dominating the traditional Nepalese music, as son of the country's renowned musician, Gurung got every opportunity to understand the music.

When Gurung starts playing guitar mixing the tune with traditional songs, the situation bursts as if something is really going to happen.

He learned guitar lessons with guitarist\lutenist William Mathews of New York when he visited Nepal in 1976. At the Conservatory, Gurung also studied guitar with Larry Almeida between 1979-80, George Sakallariou between 1980-1981 and David Tanenbaum 1981-83.

Musician Gurung has won many prizes and scholarships including the first prize with the Waves and the Brotherhood bands in the All Nepal Pop Music Contest, Kathmandu in 1974 and 1977.

Gurung started learning the guitar at a very early age under the guidance of his father. He began attending music lessons at the age of 13 with his father. He also performed guitar with veterans of Nepali music like Narayan Gopal, Gopal Younjon and other senior singers.

"I have not learnt any Nepalese traditional music formally. As a boy from Kathmandu, I have been exposed to all kinds of traditional music," said Gurung.

Guitarist Gurung is now doing research on ethonomusicology. Nepalese music has its own peculiarity but we have not made any attempt to bring it to the world. Although Nepal is a small nation, there exist different types of music and each of it has its own rhythm and sound. "From pioneer musicians to the present one, every one prefers to use borrowed music."

In contrast to other modern musicians, Gurung's lifestyle is very simple. His two storey building at Bansbari has a small studio where Kishore does his chores.

As an academically sound musician, Gurung cares about importance of his rhythmic music. "I want to support developing curriculum of music in the Tribhuvan University but no body has taken note of my proposal," he said frustratingly.