Profile (Spotlight Weekly)

SINDHU MALLA
Young Achiever

The popularity earned by Sindhu Malla as a singer in hardly half a decade has increased the audience's expectations from her

By THAKUR AMGAI

If a singer says she has lost count of the songs she has sung, at the age of 23, one is bound to think that she is either too arrogant or has abnormally low memory. But Sindhu Malla, a popular Nepali singer has reasons to lose count of not only the songs but the number of albums in which her songs are collected.

The fact that Malla, who formally entered the Music industry some four years ago, has a hectic recording schedules everyday. Young and good-looking Malla has fascinated the audience of Nepali music with her melodious voice. At 23, Sindhu is already a household name, particularly to typical Nepali families whose first choice in music would be folk songs. Youngsters are very impressed by Sindhu Malla. Anyone in the city virtually would pass no day without hearing her song. Yet, Sindhu feels that her achievement is meager as compared to the senior singers and artistes. "I do not feel that I have done much. There is a long way to go," said Sindhu.

Sindhu is known to the people as a folk singer, but she has an equally good inclination towards modern and other genres of songs. Her aptitude for singing is not limited to the folklores. The success of her recent album of modern songs 'Kahan' reveals that she excels equally well in modern songs as well. The album has enjoyed the sales of tens of thousands in just a few months. The initial response has made the distributors hopeful that the sales will reach a 'six figure' number by the end of this year.

Her career in music appears to be a smooth one. Yet, her current position in Nepali Music would have been secure without the diligent and consistent effort she has put in. A graduate student in vocal at the Fine Arts College and a fifth year student of vocal in Gandharva Music School, Sindhu spends two to three hours daily for 'riyaj.' For today's hotshot young pop artistes, it is rare to see them put so much effort with consistency.

Probably, because of this dedication blended with her natural talent, she has come quite far from the time when she started with a duet song 'Sasuralima' -which instantly made her popular then. She got her first break in 1996 when noted singer Narayan Rayamajhi took her to Radio Nepal, to sing child songs, when she was studying in grade nine.

As a child, Sindhu enjoyed listening to songs from the Radio. However, she was not encouraged to sing by the family then. Born in a traditional family of the western district of Dang, Sindhu grew up amid a strictly conservative atmosphere. Singing, dancing and even sports was considered unnecessary for children and they were forbidden from indulging in such activities.

However, Sindhu was lucky to get an opportunity to sing in Radio Nepal from the age of 14. As she sang the child songs her aptitude for singing got nurtured and she was inclined to pursue her studies in music after high school. "I did not even have the preliminary knowledge of music," confessed Sindhu. "So, I failed the entrance exam."

"It was then when I felt that music is no child's play. It needs to be learned with dedication," she added.

Sindhu has already sung hundreds of songs including duet, folk and modern songs to the Nepali music industry.

Sindhu who got married with music composer Sudan Thapa about a year back has got a conducive environment to contribute to the quality songs in Nepali music. With the support from her husband who is a music composer by profession, she plans to bring out one album a year in the coming years. Listeners of Nepali music have high expectations from her, and she is totally dedicated to meet this expectation.