CyberSansar : Exclusive
Upclose with Nabin K Bhattarai
-By Sampada Malla
-Photos by: Abhinav, Dipankar & Sarobar Kasaju

(The article and photos may not be reproduced in any medium without the written permission of the publisher.)

Years ago an astrologer had predicted to Nabin K Bhattarai," Timile ekdin sangeet ko chetra ma thulo naam kamaunechau." At that time,Nabin could not understand what those words meant. But today,those words have come true. Nabin K Bhattarai has established himself as one of the best singers in the Nepali music world.

As I entered his nest, a warm and a cosy smile of the nation's most popular singer welcomed me towards his living room. As I gestured to have a seat next to the singer, he said,"Hera na, controversies are part of life hai. Michael Jackson pheri arko scandal ma paryo." The television set of the singer was featuring the recent Michael Jackson controversy. With a bit of more such informal gup shups, we started our formal conversations. "As a child,I was very naughty and restless. Perhaps, this was also the main reason that I was sent to Budhalinkantha school as a boarder." Nabin remembers his early days.

Nabin with Sampada

From his earlier days, creativity seemed to reign within him. Paintings, sports and listening to music were his interests and they still are. He was a huge fan of Pink Floyd in those days. "I used to listen to music, hard rock songs. But, I never had an interest in singing and I could never imagine that I would be a singer one day." He reveals.

After his SLC from Budhanilkantha School, he opted for science and passed out his intermediate level. Then, he chose Shankar Dev Campus for his further studies in management. In this interval, Nabin along with some boys of St. Xaviers formed a band "The Steels Wheel". Nabin occupied the position of a rhythm guitarist in the band. After performing concerts in many places, all the members of the band, except Nabin, flew abroad. However, the band acted as a stepping stone in Nabin's life and helped him proceed his destiny.The band was no more, even then with his own personal interests, Nabin recorded his first song, "Aakha ma timilai" and gifted his piece in the markets. The song was appreciated and liked by all. Then followed single songs like "Samjhana timi" and "Rou kasari". The songs appealed the music lovers and in no time, Nabin K Bhattarai was a successful singer.

"I had no idea of becoming a singer. I had just recorded my songs as per my interest. But, the response I received from my listeners encouraged me to work much more harder with my music and generate better and melodious songs." Nabin nonchalantly recalls his former days. His first album "Raharai raharaima" was well accepted in the markets. People loved the new sensation that had entered into the Nepali music world. His different style of singing was adored by one and all.

Nabin's Room

As soon as his debut album hit the music stands, the young singer joined the classes of ethnomusicology in Kathmandu University. He is also a student of music maestro Prabhu Raj Dhakal. "Music is a creation. It is a God's gift to mankind. However, learning music is equally important. I have gained a lot after I learnt music. I was acknowledged with different kind of music and instruments and myriad methods of creating music. Today, those learning days has helped me in these practical days. It has helped me know music better and better each day." Nabin expresses his feelings. He feels that listening to other singer's songs and different trends of music is very essential and he listens to lots of western music and sometimes eastern and Nepali folk songs too. His favorite Nepali singers are Suresh Kumar Chettri and Kunti Moktan. Amongst the new generation singers, Nabin feels that Sugam Pokhrel, Anil Singh and Lochan Rijal are very talented. "A new genre of talented singers and musicians are entering the Nepali music field. The talent must be used, refined and polished by learning music." He comments.

"Most of my schoolmates are studying in the best universities of the world like the Harvard University, Oxford University etc. Couple of months ago, in my musical tour to America, my friends were astonished to view me as a singer. However, I have always tried to maintain my musical career in an intellectual manner."

Nabin's Dog

In every voyage, struggle plays an important role. Even a spider has to struggle to reach to its web. How were the struggle days of the singer? "The days were hectic. Along with a daily practice of 3, 4 hours, I also used to listen to lots of other songs, read reference books of music and interrogate my teachers with my queries. Even after I recorded my first song, I was not yet confident that I could sing well. Later, after the song was a hit, I heaved a relief. Finally, an inner confidence rose through me." He smiles. Nabin was most astonished when a phone call arrived one early morning. The phone was of Nabin's female fan. It was the first fan appreciation that he had received. He still remembers that day. After that day, his fan following started. He started receiving innumerable phone calls, gifts, cards and what not. "I could not believe that I was receiving so much of love and appreciation from my fans. The whole thing was really surprising and it still is. I have to make sense that I am popular and people love my songs." Humility seems to run through the singer's veins.

Nabin's car

His fan following is not only limited within the boundaries of Nepal. Lots of foreign people love him and his songs. "One day, I was performing live in Boston. As I sang my songs, I noticed a Palestine lady singing along with me. Later, I came to know that she knew all of my songs by heart. What was most surprising was that the lady was not a Nepali literate nor could she speak or understand the language. I was really really surprised, that day." Nabin shares his incidents. "Sometimes, there is a ring of the doorbell early morning. As I open the door, I do not find anyone but bouquets of flowers and gifts lying on the floor. Some fans who fear in approaching me also leave their gifts in the nearby shops." Phew! What luck to receive such a fan following. I wish I was Nabin K Bhattarai! However, Nabin does not seem to fully agree to my wish. He says," Fans should be able to face and interact with their loved ones. They should not hide and fear from their image figures. I absolutely love when people comment me about my music. I want my fans to give me their opinions and their suggestions. It really means a lot to me."

Every song and music of his has a concept and arises from a vision. Thus, he translates these visions into musical melodies, invites lyrists and shares his ideas with them and requests them to write a song within these ideas. And with a team effort, a song is born. Then, comes technical parts like recording, dubbing etc. Nabin wholeheartedly spends his entire time in the studio technically and creatively furnishing his songs. Kishor Baskota, Prabhu Dhakal and Pink Floyd are his inspirations. Kishor Baskota, his uncle has been financing his each album till date. Nabin loves experimenting in his songs. He loves trying out new melodies through different instruments.

Awards received by Nabin

Talking about the awards, he has many awards in his closet. His first award was Sajjan Smriti award. Then followed Chinnalata award and five Hits FM Music Awards.

Nabin's latest album "The Blue" has eleven songs and that comprise of philosophical songs, love songs, auto biographical songs and sentimental songs. The songs contain human feel and the instruments used are also of the same criteria. His previous song "Aei Jhari" is also repeated in the album.

An introvert and moody by nature, Nabin accepts that he is very careless. He loves nature, peace and philosophy. He sometimes cooks food too, but that entirely depends upon his mood. A fun loving person, he loves rejoicing other's happiness and pleasures. He shares a close and a pleasant relationship with his mother and younger sister, Joshna. He dislikes parties and loves to be alone amidst the nature, exploring the beauties of nature. Infact, it is his these behaviors that gives birth to beautiful and long lasting songs and music. The three hours that I spent with the singer endeavoring to sneak inside the real Nabin K Bhattarai is no doubt one of the best moments of my life. In these three hours, he presented himself in a very simple manner. Simplicity is one of the various things that can be found plenty in the singer. And with such qualities , Nabin K Bhattarai is sure to impress anyone on the floor. I gesticulated to ask lots of questions to the musical icon during this rendezvous. Some interesting ones are listed below.

Nabin's home at Dillibazar

1. What, in your opinion is pop music?
Any simple music with simple songs, simple lyrics and without any rules and regulations as of Shastriya (classical) music; which is easily popular and liked by every genre of listeners is pop music.

2. Do you think that your songs are long lasting?
I don't know. I have been singing for about seven years. People still request me to sing my first song "Aakha ma timilai". So, it has been lasting for about seven years, isn't it?

3. Who are your target audiences ?
I have listeners of all age groups, from a small boy to an old man. Many listeners phone me and tell me that he and his children love my songs. It is a real pride that my songs are able to appeal all the generational listeners.

4. How important is it for your songs to contain Nepali feel and Nepali smell?
It is very very important. Nepali feel, Nepali language should be given a priority. More than some English songs that I have sung, my listeners know me through my Nepali songs.

Nabin, second from left, with his classmates in Budhanilkantha

5. How does your day start with?
I get up at 4:30 in the morning. Then, I directly go to the net. I love travelling in the world of Internet. My favorite sites are nepalnews.com, cybernepal.com.np, BBC etc. After that, I practise music on the guitar. Then after my lunch, I go to the studio. I return at about 7 or 8 p.m. . Then, after my dinner, I watch television for some time and then go to my bed. However, I am usually in my home when there are no recordings.

6. You have till now produced seven albums. How do you ensure that your each album maintains the standard quality?

Nabin reading the greeting cards sent by his fans.

The main thing is composition and lyrics. I myself sit on the studio and listen to the sound tracks. Then, I go to the dubbing place and evaluate my song piece. I always try my level best to provide and maintain my quality.

7. Could you tell us about your first crush?
My first crush was when I was in BBS. She knew little that I loved her. But it did not last long as she went abroad and our contacts ended.

8. What about marriage plans?
(Laughs) It will soon happen, maybe after a year.

Nabin with his mother.

9. How has your web site helped you personally and professionally?
It has helped me a lot. It has provided me a platform to communicate with my fans all over the world. My listeners are able to know me more vividly and keep themselves updated with my new albums.

10 Any last words?
I had first viewed Cyber Nepal a year ago. Presently, Cyber Nepal has improved a lot. It is a very informative site with good stories, contents, pictures etc. Through this magazine, I would like to thank my listeners for loving me for so long. And, I also thank the whole crew of Cyber Nepal. Thank you!

Visualizing Nabin through his mother's eyes

Nabin's mother

As a child, Nabin was very naughty and restless. He never used to sing songs, though he listened to lots of English songs. He has always been a good student. When he decided to take up music, we, me and his dad, were not so enthusiastic about his desire. We felt that there were no scopes in singing. Rather we wanted him to go abroad for his further studies. However, we permitted him to record his first song only because of his interest. But later, the response of the people overwhelmed us. As a mother, I am very happy to see my son transcending so high. I listen to all of his songs. My favorite is "Bibas" and "Raharai Raharaima". I also comment him with his music. He listens to my advise and appreciates my suggestions. At home, Nabin is very careless and lazy, though sometimes he helps me with the house chores. I am aware that Nabin has an immense fan following. I feel very proud about it. At present, I am extremely satisfied with my son's profession. I have always tried my level best to provide him with the environment to work on with his music. I think he should sing and compose every kind of music and prove his versatility to his listeners .

On Nabin's track......

Nabin with Sarobar & Abhinav, designer & editor of CyberNepal.

" God! The singer's voice is exactly like Nabin's. Kasto Nabin le jastai gayeko!" The people who have heard Aamir Deuwa's song react in this manner. However the singer enjoys such reactions. " I have always practiced singing with his songs." The heavily inspired singer of Nabin K Bhattarai says.......... ( Source: Aaha Sangeet)

What Nabin feels about the singer.....
"I am extremely glad to realize that the new generations are being influenced by me. When I first heard Amir's song, even I was amazed. In the first few lines, I myself could not distinguish the singer.The voice was like mine! I really feel very very proud to become an inspiration to the upcoming singers like Aamir".

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