Words Into Music

Thapa is one lyricist who has remained only a poet/lyricist all his life and is gifted with the rare talent to write songs in prepared melodies

By THAKUR AMGAI

A boy falls unconscious an afternoon in front of a shop near Tri Chandra Campus. Seeing his poor condition, the professors tell him to drop the Physics paper. Although, he tries to complete the paper, he cannot as he again falls sick.

This unfortunate incident that occurred within the range of few hours changes the course of life of this boy. The boy who had dreamt to complete his Intermediate in Science and study medicine, got frustrated as he could not achieve his aspiration.

It has been half a decade now after the incident and this failure turned out to be a blessing in disguise in such a way that there are no traces of frustration and regret now. Not only for the man, but to the entire country.

He might not have acquired as much wealth as a medical doctor of his age would, but he has earned name, fame and affection of the music lovers that is much more valuable than the material wealth. Through his creations, he will remain immortal and be remembered by Nepalese generation after generation.

This person is none other than Ratna Shumsher Thapa. If not to consider his two years stint at the Morang Sugar Mills, Thapa has concentrated only in music and literature ever since. These days Thapa writes mostly poems and songs. However, in the early days of his career, he used to write all genres ranging from drama to story and haiku (typical Japanese verse) to muktak (typical Nepalese verse).

Once in 2014, he also sang a song ‘Duniya Baiguni Hundama, Bityo Jindagi Rundama’ in his own composition and lyrics for a contest organized by National Library. Despite the fact that he won gold medal at this contest, he did not continue singing. He says, “I felt my voice had deteriorated. So, I left singing and focused only in writing.”

A few years later he also tried his hands once in theatre. While being affiliated to Nepal Theatre Association as an executive member he wrote and directed a play ‘Charkeka Bimbaharu’.

Thapa was born in a privileged family in Kathmandu in 1996 B.S. He had a musical environment at his home where his uncles practiced music every evening. He used to participate with them in singing and playing musical instruments.

He joined Durbar High School and passed high school from there at the age of 15. He used to write stories, poems and songs since his school. He was particularly inspired by European poets of the Romantic Era.

In 2016 he again joined Tri Chandra College where he came in contact with singers and musicians.

He wrote ‘E Kanchha Thattaima Yo Bains Jana Lagyo’ in prepared tuning and in 2018 it was recorded in Calcutta. The duet sung by Narayan Gopal and Aruna Lama became the most requested song aired from Radio Nepal for three consecutive years. There were instances when the radio announcers had to spend 15 minutes reading the name of requesters before the 3-minute-song could be aired.

Thapa has written two anthology of poems ‘Chakala Bharika Gha’ and ‘Taraka Kanchha Rang’ and two anthology of songs ‘Obhano Siundo’ and ‘Rujheko Parela’ to his credit. Likewise, he has got three cassette albums - ‘Dovan’, ‘Atit Samjhindai’ and ‘Jiwan’ and two CD albums – ‘Madhumas’ and ‘Ghumtima Naau Hai’ to his credit.

Thapa who is primarily known as a modern song writer, has also written some songs for feature films. Songs ‘Ukali Orali Gardai’ for Seemana, ‘Chumera Sugandheet Phool’ for Chokho Maya have also become ever green hits. He has written songs for about a dozen feature films.

From sentimental tragic songs like ‘Madhumasma Yo Dilko Bag, Naphoolikana Ujad Bho’ to romantic songs like ‘Sapta Rangi Phoolai Phoolyo, Mana Bhitra Aja’, Thapa’s lyrics capture different moods and different situations of individuals.

Thapa, who used to write since early teens, wrote a song ‘Ghumtima Naau Hai’ in the tuning of Prem Manik, that has become an evergreen hit. Writing songs in prepared tuning was not practiced in those days.