National 11 (Spotlight Weekly)

Master Of Voice

Paudel's incredibly rich knowledge of classical music and his devotion to the music industry marks him as a harbinger of Nepali modern songs

By THAKUR AMGAI

Poudel : Devoted to music

At a time when overnight popularity has become so easy for astute and skillful singers, Sanoop Paudel is a name, which abstains from such cheap popularity. He falls in the category of singers who would rather wait for years to prove themselves than to jump into the trend of being a 'celebrity' in one week and come crashing down the next.

"I would like to avoid competing with cheap quality songs that have little musical quality in them," says Paudel, a calm and composed person. "I will wait for the time when the audience recognizes 'our kind' of songs."

Difficult may be the time at present. But certainly, future stands bright for singers like Paudel. Nepalese music industry has taken a giant leap in the last decade. Professionally, artistes can now survive from the income they derive from music alone. However, for singers like Paudel, whose songs are clear deviations from the 'commercial' kind of pop, folk and movie songs, there are fewer listeners who can actually afford to spend on their albums. However, although these artistes earn less, they get wider and long-standing response from the listeners.

Paudel concedes of receiving mails from listeners from abroad who have listened to his songs. "They encourage me to sing more songs," said Paudel.

Paudel was born and brought up in Shillong, India, in 1977. He completed his high school education in Shillong. His persistent devotion to music since the early childhood shows that Paudel was born for singing. Obviously, he is gifted with a melodious voice and an art of singing. He started using this natural talent since the tender age of eight. His song "Samjhana Aidinchha.." was well received by Nepalese listeners.

According to cybernepal.com, a website devoted to Nepali emerging artistes, Paudel had a band called Yummy Guys singing Hindi songs in his teens. They traveled around northeast India performing Hindi songs, as per the demand, in small venues before small gathering. It was then that he was noticed by blues, rock n roll group Ashwamedha Band who invited him to join them as vocalist.

Paudel had formally started a career in music when he sang songs for a collection album, 'Ashwamedha' in 1997. Despite the fact that it was popular, he was not tempted to go for the cheap popularity. Instead, he decided to learn music first and joined ethnomusicology in Kathmandu University. "I gave more time for studies during the period," says Paudel.

His newly released album "Voice" has already become popular. What is it that stands out in Paudel's songs? Obviously his rich knowledge of music and his inclination towards Indian and Western Classical music is reflected in his songs.

Paudel, with his gifted talent for singing and his devotion to music, is an artiste that genuine lovers of Modern Nepali songs look forward to.

Indian Assistance In Upper Mustang

The Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, on November 17, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a school building, hostel, Monk quarter, teachers' quarters and provision of furniture for the Shree Mahakaruna Sakyapa Vidyalaya, Lomanthang-8, Chhoedhe Gonpa, Upper Mustang. "The Government of India is providing an assistance of NRs. 2,66,40,439/- for this project. The school building will be called 'Nepal Bharat Maitri Bhawan', and will stand as an enduring symbol of friendship between the two countries," states a press release from the Embassy.

"A tripartite agreement has been signed between the Embassy of India, District Development Committee, Mustang and Shree Mahakaruna Sakyapa Vidyalaya laying down the modalities of providing Indian assistance for this project. The construction would be executed by the DDC, Mustang. A Monitoring Committee has been constituted for the project consisting of members of the School Management Committee and the District Education Officer, Mustang to oversee the project."

"The implementation of the above project would improve the educational infrastructure for the people of the district of Upper Mustang. It also reinforces India's commitment to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, through such cooperation, especially in the important sector of education," the release further states.