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Sushila Baral, known for her melodious and soulful voice, has established herself as a prominent singer in the Nepali music industry. She has made a mark in both modern and folk music, continuously pursuing her passion for singing and songwriting.

Her debut song, ‘Juni Juni Timrai Hune Man Cha Hai Maya’, became an instant hit, capturing the emotions of romantic couples and gaining massive popularity on platforms like TikTok and Facebook Reels. Encouraged by its success, Baral released another song, ‘Timile Herera Malai Pugne Bhaye’, where she contributed as a singer, lyricist, and composer.

“With determination and passion, anything is possible. I feel delighted to set an example through my work,” she shared.

From an early age, Baral aspired to become a singer. She would often sing while walking or participate in school cultural programs, performing songs by legendary artists like Narayan Gopal and Bhakta Raj Acharya. Her father, Tikaram Baral, who was a teacher and a music enthusiast, always encouraged her musical journey. “Though my father is no longer with us, I wish he could have heard my songs. That would have meant the world to me,” she expressed.

Baral honed her skills by taking formal music training in Kathmandu. She credits composer Basanta Sapkota for playing a significant role in shaping her career. With millions of views on social media, her songs such as ‘Rato Rato Sarima’, ‘Yo Saas Aljhiyo’, ‘Mayale Herna Kancha’, and ‘Ram Ram Japche’ have received widespread acclaim. Some of her tracks have also been nominated for music awards.

“Initially, it was challenging, but now, with dedication and talent, things have become easier. I will continue to invest my art and voice in Nepali music,” said Baral.

Apart from singing, she is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in music at Padma Kanya Campus. She has won two awards by securing first place in college-level music competitions. Recently, she also composed a song titled ‘Desh Nepal’, which was well-received in a modern song competition. Beyond music, Baral is also engaged in social work, balancing her passion for singing with a commitment to giving back to the community.

Nepali band Kandara is set to embark on an exciting global musical tour in 2025, beginning with a grand performance at the prestigious O2 Arena in London on Jan 4. This milestone marks the first time a Nepali band will perform at the iconic venue, following in the footsteps of Nepali artist Sajjan Raj Vaidya. Lead vocalist Bibek Shrestha expressed the band’s excitement, calling the O2 a dream venue for any artist and describing this opportunity as a proud moment. After their London debut, the band will continue their tour with performances in Dubai, Qatar, and Hong Kong later in January.

Adding to the excitement, Kandara is releasing a new song titled “Hunecha (The Song of Hope)” on 1 Jan 2025, as a New Year’s offering. Known for themes of love, nature, and cultural stories, this track carries a unique message of hope and positivity, aiming to inspire listeners to embrace optimism in the coming year. Drummer Sunil Thapa, a founding member of the band, has penned and composed the song, which encourages individuals to foster positive change through their actions and behaviors. Notably, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended his best wishes for the song’s success.

Kandara has been actively engaging with fans through performances, including a recent themed concert, “Home Country, Then Abroad,” held at the LOD Club in Thamel, Kathmandu. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the band has also delivered successful concerts across Gandaki, Koshi, and Bagmati provinces.

The current lineup features Bibek Shrestha on vocals, Sunil Thapa on drums, Dev Lama on lead guitar, Pankaj Jha on bass guitar, Avinash Gayak on madal, and Umesh Thapa on keyboard. Sunil Thapa, a founding member, continues to play a pivotal role in the band’s journey. With a legacy spanning three decades, Kandara remains a beloved name in Nepali music, blending meaningful lyrics, rich melodies, and a deep connection to its roots while expanding its presence on the global stage.

Celebrating 32 years of musical legacy, iconic Nepali band Kandara delivered a historic performance at Club LOD in Kathmandu on Nov 9. Part of their “Kathmandu Calling Kandara” tour, the concert drew fans from across the city and beyond for the band’s first-ever live show in the capital—a night filled with energy, nostalgia, and cultural pride.

The evening kicked off with a dynamic opening act by Devendra Bablu and the Firantee, whose fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds set the stage for Kandara’s much-anticipated performance. The opening act’s energy was the perfect prelude to Kandara's celebrated mix of folk, rock, and pop.

Kandara’s powerful lineup—featuring vocalist Bivek Shrestha, guitarist Dev Lama, bassist Pankaj Jha, madalist Avinash Gayak, keyboardist Neil Ghatani, and drummer Sunil Thapa—delivered a set of their greatest hits, including fan favorites like “Timi Pari,” “Lekaki Hey Maya,” and “Hongkong Pokhara.” Their performance showcased the enduring appeal of their unique sound, blending traditional Nepali folk with modern influences that have captivated audiences for over three decades.

The packed venue pulsed with excitement as Kandara’s electrifying performance celebrated three decades of music that has defined a generation. Lead vocalist Bivek Shrestha addressed the crowd, saying, “Performing in Kathmandu for the first time, surrounded by the energy of our incredible fans, is a dream come true. This night is dedicated to each and every one of you who has supported us through the years.”

Kandara expressed heartfelt gratitude to Club LOD for hosting, Arbitrary Events and TRN Events for organizing, and Khalti for handling ticketing. Special thanks were given to Sushil Nepal for his charismatic hosting and to Devendra Bablu and the Firantee for their memorable opening act, setting a tone of celebration and unity.

Dozens of enthusiastic cosplayers gathered at the Nepali annual festival of ‘Otaku Jatra’, embracing the pop culture in the Himalayan nation by dressing in various anime characters.

‘Otaku Jatra’ is the occasion when enthusiasts and fans see their favorite anime characters come alive. The annual cosplay fest brings in thousands of footfalls and enthusiasts from Nepal to embrace pop culture.

This festival started lately in the Himalayan Nation, setting a large impact and vigorous presence only after 2016, although it has been in existence since the early 21st century. Starting small in 2010, the festival now has turned into a mega gathering which is slowly transforming from a fan art competition to cosplay and gaming.

“This sort of event helps people understand more about pop culture. People are curious about the cosplays, anime characters and what kind of characters they are and they come here to understand more about it. My elder sister also isn't aware of anime and pop culture but she came to attend the event and got the introduction. This sort of event is a platform to give them knowledge and understanding about it,” Arun Limbu, one of the cosplay fans, told ANI.

A portmanteau of ‘Costume Play’, cosplay is an activity and performance art where participants wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent mostly a fictional character seen in anime.

People dressed as characters often interact to create a subculture and also perform role-playing tasks in venues apart from the stage. Anime, cartoons, comic books, Mangas, TV series and video games are the main source for cosplays.

“It’s pretty free fun actually. It makes me feel like I am in an anime community and has brought a lot of things together and I really like it,” Prapti Aryal, a cosplayer attending the fair, told ANI.

It is believed that the tradition of cosplay came out of the practice of fan costuming at science fiction conventions in New York in the early 20th century. The word cosplay is said to have been coined in Japan in the mid-20th century. Computer-generated animation originating from Japan, Anime has continued to influence youngsters and now has become an integral part of their lives. Most youngsters, especially millennial and Generation Z are fond of the animated characters which drove them to the event.

“It gives ideas about anime and not only anime, you can find novel-related stuff here. I could see a character from a novel that I read- Heaven Official’s Blessing. There are lots of stuff that are present here plus it gives an insight about why people are crazy about anime. It gives insights and closure into how the characters are rather than what we just see...,” Aryal further added.

Cosplay events are common features of fan conventions and today, there are many dedicated conventions and competitions, as well as social networks, websites, and other forms of media centered on cosplay activities. Cosplay is very popular among all genders, and it is not unusual to see crossplay, also referred to as gender-bending.

The Japanese version of the animation -- Anime is generally perceived as cartoons which have multiple genres of romance, sci-fi, horror and many others. Drawing a distinct difference between the normal cartoons which have been playing over channels, anime mostly focuses on real-life issues or human emotion. While being closer to humans, some of its contents are more violent and sexually explicit.

Connecting stories from one episode to the other like in the series, the stories of anime progress while the cartoons are made with an intention to make the people laugh.

The first anime ever released on TV—Astro Boy was released in Japan around 1963. Since then, many American and European countries have come forward with anime which have become blockbusters.

Generation Z (the generation reaching adulthood in the second decade of the 21st century) has started accepting and adapting anime as a source to learn real-life skills, hardships, friendship, courage and determination to pursue the dream, time management and teamwork. This distinct feature has driven the youth towards anime. 

ANI