CyberSansar : Exclusive

Upclose with Nima Rumba
-By Sampada Malla <sampada@cybernepal.com.np>
-Photos: Dipankar & Abhinav Kasaju

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

“Didi, kati baze jaane Nima Rumba ko ghar maa? Nau bajisakyo.” My nine years old brother Abhineet’s anxious words caught my ears. “Let’s move, babu.” As my words dropped, I could easily read his beaming face and excited gestures. I knew that he adored Nima Rumba and his songs. I had heard him sing his songs umpteen times and had watched him copy his styles. “I am a Nima Rumba fan.” He had mentioned it to me zillion times. “Wow! How does he look like in real? How are his family and haven?.....” I smiled as I read such myriad curiosities through his eyes.

As we traced our path to the singer’s home for a rendezvous, I recalled that day when the song, “Jadaichu maa hai bideshma…” had stroked my ears and the singer’s unique voice had instantly impressed me. This morning, Abhineet and I had enjoyed his song, “Sanjhama pani…” through a T.V channel.

Nima with Sampada

“This is Nima’s house, Sampada.” I looked at the direction where Abhinav Dai was pointing to. Located in Maharajgung, the serenity in the environment added to the bungalow’s beauty. As we walked inside, Nima’s six years old son Samuel ushered us inside the house. I rolled my eyeballs to catch a quick glimpse of the beautiful garden surrounded with charismatic flowers. The dogs inside the kennel were barking at us cruelly, as if they disliked our visit; I didn’t know.

“Yeha basnus hai.” We happily agreed to the request of the cute little boy as he led us inside the living room. Filled with various awards, appreciation letters and photographs; anyone could analyze Nima’s achievements through it. Dipankar Dai commenced his task of capturing those images in the camera frames while we waited for Nima and his wife Shelly…… “Ahh, I am so sorry to keep you all waiting.” Nima said as he took a seat beside the couch. After we passed “don’t worry, its fine.” glances to him, I began my allotted task.

Nima’s bygone days

Nima Rumba and Shelly with Sampada

“I spent my childhood in Swayambu in nature’s arms. I loved to swim in the river and play various games with my friends.” Nima started with his childhood days reminiscences. “Painting, sketching cartoon characters and listening to music were my favorite pastimes.” A precocious child, Nima frequently demonstrated his skills of singing and dancing amid the masses. Listening to the songs of Michael Jackson, Narayan Gopal and Gopal Yonjan were his leisure time hobby. “Thaha cha, I wanted to be a marshal art professional. Bruce Lee’s movies completely fascinated me.” smiled Nima. But, it was music where his destiny lied and his voyage of life followed the aimed passage. Soon after his SLC in the year B.S 2045, Nima united with “The Bass” band as a vocalist.

Nima in the middle with his brothers Pasang & Karma

Amateur Nima learnt a great deal through the band. After couple of years of its struggle, the band split. “We received no help from the media and the concerned people. We were struggling hard to exist. But till when? Soon, frustration ruled all of us.” Nima recalled. Nima accepted the futility as a challenge; he led his path with his dreams and aspirations that burned fiercely within him. Later, he got associated with “The peace band”, again as a lead vocalist where he devised his first composition, “Aaideu priya”. “We recorded the song and received immense appreciation. The responses boosted our confidence and we participated in the Rara Pop Competition. We won the second position. Uu, thyahi cup ho.” Nima threw his words and raced his eyes towards the group of awards. As I carefully studied the cup, Nima went on, “Our song appealed Anil Sthapit (Harati Cassette Centre) a lot that he decided to include it in his album which was accompanied with the songs of Sanjeep Pradhan, Angels and Babin Pradhan.” Through the song, the band gained enormous public appreciation and popularity paved its way. “It was a different experience. My dreams were slowly opening the shutters of reality.” Nima’s trenchant words showered.
After some time, Nima separated his path from his friends.

Nima’s musical journey

Awards received by Nima

“Then, my real musical journey started.” Nima mused. He began singing in collection albums for two consecutive years. Besides, he also used to sing in “Dabali” restaurant in New Road to meet his materialistic needs. “Every day, I sang various English, Nepali and Hindi songs." he recollected. His mesmerizing voice and performance were successful to attract many customers, the specific one was Puskar who visited the restaurant regularly. Observing the young lad's talent, Puskar anxiously asked Nima whether he had produced an album. "I told him that I aspired to do so but my financial conditions were a hindrance to it." Nima recalled. All of a sudden, Puskar handed him an amount of Rs.10,000 and requested him to accept the sum to fulfill his dream. Overwhelmed Nima quickly grasped the money, collected few more through his friends and produced his debut album. The album “Suna Suna” was accepted well in the markets. It was also Nima’s key that unlocked the door to all his musical dreams. Yes, he was no longer an anonymous name!

With the quaint music video “Miss Catwalk” and his enchanting performance, Nima Rumba suddenly ruled many young heartbeats. With the quantity increment in the songs, Nima’s fame also heightened. His unique voice and his varieties of music tempo availed him to stand atop. He is one of the best and popular singers, today.

Nima’s personal life

Shelly, Nima's wife.

“Dai, lots of career stuffs discussed. Let’s move to your personal life, hunna ra?” I requested. He nodded as his lips curved into a gentle smile. After Shelly was called in, I asked, “How did fate bring you together?”

“Umm, a group of my friends, including me, loved his songs. We all were a great fan of his. I absolutely idolized him and ardently waited for the day when I would smell his lively presence.” I observed Shelly as her words flitted. A vibrant lady with a charismatic smile, I could visualize a euphoric personality beneath Shelly’s facade. God had specials plans for them and made them meet in a concert where Nima was performing. While for Shelly, the meeting devoured ecstasy, Nima did not experience such feelings. But, surprisingly, their first meet opened a doorway to the other ones, which gradually resulted in a frequent basis. “He used to bring me lots of chocolates. He knew that I loved them the most.” With her babyish looks, Shelly shared. “After couple of interactions, I knew that she was the woman who was made for me, only me.” Nima grinned. Soon, they were socially sanctioned as husband and wife. A year later, Shelly gifted Nima with the most precious gift, their son Samuel.

After some years of their blissful marital life, the family flew to Hong Kong. “Shelly is a resident of the state. Due to some legal formalities, we had to shift there.” explained Nima. Migrating to an unknown group of people was not a cake walk and the family had to go through lots of hurdles. “I worked in a bar and Shelly worked too. I had been leading a life of comforts in Nepal but Honk Kong taught me the real meaning of life.” His squinting eyes spoke more than his words.

But, the geographical distance could not cease Nima’s musical journey. His talents even more furnished with a passion of serving his motherland. In short intervals, Nima kept visiting the country and gift her with his new albums.

Nima and Shelly, photo shot on the first year of their marriage.

“Marriage helped us develop maturity in our relationship, though the bickering always ruled.” mellifluously laughed Shelly. “He used to receive lots of female fan mails, raicha. He never disclosed them to me. One day, I was cleaning the room when I found a handful of letters and proposals written in blood. My temper rose but I controlled them. The next day, I carefully showcased them and waited for Nima to see it.”
“But, weren’t you aware that these things were a part of his profession?” My curiosity aroused.

“I am and I respect his fans. But the fact that he had hidden his belonging from me hurt me.” She smiled.

The hectic lifestyle in Hong Kong could not deprive Nima from exploring his interest. He used to pen the lyrics in his free time and would compose them in late nights. “I used to get scraps of paper with his new lyrics and music notes in his shirts. I felt very guilty that such a talented person was compelled to waste his skills.” Shelly shared. Thus, it was for the sake of Nima’s career that they moved back. “We also wanted to teach Samuel the country’s traditions. We wanted him to be a pucca Nepali.” They both spoke.

Presently, the family is enjoying every bit of their life in Nepal. “I am very glad visualizing Nima surpass so high. I wish he continues in the same way in future too.” expressed Shelly.
“He is very careless and moody. Except for that, he is a perfect husband.” Shelly gleamed. “She is poor in decision making and often acts immaturely. Otherwise, she too is a perfect wife.” Nima shared.

Samuel- a proud son of a proud father

Samuel, Nima's son

With an island of innocence clustered in his eyes, Samuel is a replica of his father. When he held my hand as he guided us towards the living room, I felt the rhythm of his skip and hop steps which he kept up tirelessly. We waited for his parents and so did he with his legs crossed over the other and his folded hands resting on his knees. Even during the interview, he observed his father’s words with an uncanny serenity, as if the six years old child understood it all. His serenity broke often and he would ask endless questions to his dad, breaking the flow of the interview. Sometimes, he would lovingly toss his father’s hair while sometimes he would coddle in his mother’s arms. I could clearly visualize the extreme affection in Nima and Shelly’s eyes for Samuel. Yes, he was an apple of their eye!

“Baba should also sing English songs. Thaha cha didi, he has sung a birthday song especially for me.” he proudly announced. Later, he escorted me towards his small toy house and showed me his beautiful toys and books. “I like to play computer games.” he said.
As I carefully observed him, I knew that many diehard Nima Rumba fans would give anything to be on Samuel’s shoes; to be so close to Nima and to rule his heart. Yes, he was a proud son of a proud father!!!!

Nima, personally and musically

“It is an amazing experience to turn back, recall the bygone days and realize my present world. I have come a long way and I have a long way to go.” His words reflected a trail of happiness.

A self built man, success to Nima was not a cinch. True said, “Rome was not built in a day.” The couple of hours that I spent with the family will always remain safe in my heart as a beautiful reminiscence of my life. Popularity has not overblown Nima; I couldn’t trace even a hint of vanity in him and his simplicity left me wonderstruck. “A wonderful family.” I felt.

As I departed from the family, my heart quickly created a small poetry for them.

“Love will always bring us together,
Contempt will lead us far.
Never change for God’s sake,
Even if you are a star.”



I gestured to ask myriad questions to Nima. Some of them are listed below.

Nima & Shelly shares their life experiences with Sampada, Abhinav & Suraj (Cyber Nepal Team) while Abhineet, Sampada's brother looks at Nima's awards.

What does music mean to you?
Music is an art of expression, free of all boundaries. Every person has their own styles of expressions, so, music too is versatile and diverse.

How do you analyze the yester years and the present years of the Nepali music scenario?

It has evolved wonderfully. Today, singers receive more respect, exposure and craze. The industry presently is commercially sustaining unlike the yester years. The music listeners also have matured through the period.

Nima's waiting room filled with awards and photos

With many emerging talents in the music field, how is the competition like?
It is very hard. Today, the public cannot be fooled. Along with talent, hard work and dedication are also equally required. And yes, individuality and versatility is necessary to stand distinctive. There are high pressures to produce good songs once you are accepted by the masses.

Don’t you think that it is high time that the pop songs should widen their boundaries with versatile songs and not just love songs?
Yes, I think so. But, we have our certain compulsions and we need to embrace the love songs to sustain commercially. Youths (our target group) love listening to romantic songs. However, since we have responsibilities towards them, we must take special care that our songs give influential messages too.

Your future plans?
To gift better songs and better music continuously.

Any last words?
My fans are my inspiration, my biggest asset. I request them to love me always. And thanks to you too, Sampada.

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