NATIONAL 5 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Winning Nepali Hearts

A young folk singer from eastern Nepal produces a popular album breaking all records

By BHAGIRATH YOGI

When Khem Raj Gurung left the college mid-way in eastern Nepal and arrived at Kathmandu four years back, he had got little inkling about the days ahead. An enthusiast of Nepali folk music, he decided to devote his time and energy to the discipline he loved the most-singing. With the help of some of his well-wishers and acquaintances, he was able to produce his first album, 'Jeevan- Part 1' in 1995.

" I did not know people at that time and had to face several difficulties to produce my first album," recalls Gurung. After his album failed to get good response in the market, a disappointed Gurung even decided to join the British Gurkhas but was rejected. He then made up his mind and told himselfthat he would continue singing and composing music, come what may.

Three years later, his second album 'Jeevan- Part 2' was launched by Music Nepal-a leading music company-- in the market. Released without any formal ceremony, people in eastern Nepal were first to enjoy the songs in the cassette. Within a few months, the cassette and particularly the folk song 'Wari Jamuna Pari Jamuna' had become the most popular song all over the country and beyond.

Based on local 'Hakpare style' as practiced in eastern hilly district of Sankhuwasabha-where Gurung was born 27 years back-the song gives a typical Nepali rural taste to the audience. Though other songs in the album are also very well composed and sung, this very song was instrumental in pushing the sales of the album to nearly 100,000 copies in less than a year- a record in itself.

Now, Khem Raj Gurung has become a household name for the Nepali music lovers. " I am elated," says Gurung. Not only youth and children, even the old people enjoy the song. Whether it is eastern terai or western hills, the song has created similar sentiments. "The popularity of the song has proved that Nepali is really a language of nation and also serves as an important medium for national integration," said an analyst.

For Gurung, his much-celebrated success is not an end but only a beginning in what would be his long career. Son of a former British Gurkha soldier, Gurung had a musical environment right from the childhood. He used to pen poems, drama, and compile and sing folk songs. After studying up to high school level in his home district, he enrolled at a local college but could not complete his education. By saving some time out of his busy schedules, Gurung wants to pursue advance courses in music.

Gurung is now working on a CD entitled 'Anmol' and also producing an album with the name 'Soaltee' in which one of his American friends has recorded the songs in Nepali language. A versatile singer and composer, Gurung sings with equal ease the modern, pop and national songs. "My audience have loved me primarily because of my folk songs. So, my next compilation of folk songs will come out in the form of 'Jeevan- Part 3," said Gurung.

There have been a number of invitations to Gurung from within the country and abroad to perform live before the audience. In one of such performances within the country, the audience hardly believed that this young man could sing the folk song with such command and ease. He recalls one incident at a Kathmandu college when students urged him not to sing 'Wari Jamuna Pari Jamuna' fearing that they would turn 'flop' while trying to sing the popular song.

"Though I enjoy the folk songs, singing folk songs is the most challenging job," said Gurung. " Folk songs are what make our identity. Besides Mt. Sagarmatha, we can introduce our country abroad by playing madal, murchunga, shahanai and flute."

The success of his latest album has enthused Gurung to work much harder in the area of music. " I don't have any plans to marry right now. First, I want to devote fully in the service of Nepali music," said Gurung. "Moreover, I have given up the thinking of leaving my country."

The songs compiled and sung by Gurung have catered to the changing tastes of Nepali audience. He may have also inspired a whole generation of young Nepali artistes to try their luck. But the bottom line for Mr. Gurung is hard work. " I am a very humble student of Nepali music. I have to learn a lot," said Gurung. Of course, he has a long way to go and reach new heights. The well wishes of Nepali audience are with him.

Gurung: Singing for the masses