National 11 (Spotlight Weekly)

Street To Studio

Sheer perseverance catapults Baskota from 'street guitarist' to a prominent musician known for his melodious music

By THAKUR AMGAI

As a young boy, perched on the top of the walls beside the streets of Pani Pokhari, strumming guitar singing his favorite songs, passersby had no idea that this young man would one day become the famous music director 'Shambhujeet Baskota'.

The boy himself was not assured that this passion of his would become his profession one day and make him known to the world.

Today, three decades later, the boy - who has grown into a well matured man now - does not compose his music on wall tops or strum other songs, but composes music, and is engrossed in finding new creations every moment. Well-known lyricists find a pleasure in giving him songs and are assured that if Baskota takes the songs it will be well composed. Popular singers feel the greatness when they get to sing from his composition. And film producers, feel that one part of their movie has been well looked after when Baskota agrees to do the music for them.

Baskota has been at the top for the last two decades. Baskota started his career as a singer after passing the voice test from Radio Nepal in 1972 and he started composing music only five years later. He has sung some songs, but he is more popular for his music composition.

Over the years, Baskota has tried his talent in various fields. From story writing for films to developing concepts for new television programs and creating news-jingles, Baskota seldom had to taste failure in his three decades long journey in this field. His brain child 'Pratibha Ko Dabali' had engineered the talent-hunting television shows in Nepal. 'Srijana ko Adha Ghanta' and 'Manko Rahar' were other popular programs that he conceived. He has written stories for almost fifty movies. He also made a music video in 1980s, probably the first music video of the country.

As his major profession, Baskota has composed music for a wide spectrum of singers in various genres. From classical singers like Narayan Gopal to new generation singers Navin Bhattarai and famous Indian singers Mahendra Kapoor to Asha Bhosle, hundreds of singers of versatile nature have lent their voice in Baskota's music. He has directed music in over 200 Nepali Feature Films, including Basanti, Prem Pinda and Seema Rekha. He has composed as many as 59 clips of music in a single (musical) movie - Gaunthali. There is no questioning that Baskota is the number one music composer for feature films in Nepal. He has won motion picture awards three times.

Versatility is his character. From classical songs like 'Bichhodko Pida Nasaki Khapna, Dashainko Belaima' to folk songs like 'Nachyo Maichyang, Timi Damphuko Talaima', Baskota's creations all have sweet melodies to suit the genre. Not only most of the modern songs in which Baskota has composed music are well received by the audience, but also his light-hearted songs like 'Hey Sangita' have rocked the market in its time. He has composed in over 500 songs so far.

How does he make time for all of them? Besides, he has also been involved in government jobs in various capacities for most of the time throughout his career. He is now the Executive Chairman of the Film Development Board, and also a music director at the Royal Nepal Academy. No doubt he is extremely busy. He claims that he has put consistent effort for the last three decades. Baskota, who is busy with official works most of the day hours, feels that he is more comfortable composing at night when the city is dead asleep. What about sleep? "I sleep only four hours," Baskota shrugs.