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With roots going back to her childhood, singer and songwriter Rachana Dahal’s journey in music is one of innate talent, perseverance, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“I have loved singing since my childhood days,” says Dahal, her eyes sparkling with the memories of those formative years. “Even at a young age, I was capable of capturing the melody, music, and tunes much faster than anyone else.” 

Growing up at a time when access to music was limited to television channels and CDs, Dahal’s ability to swiftly pick up tunes became her strength. Her brother, a constant companion and music enthusiast, played a pivotal role by bringing home CDs with diverse collections of songs, allowing Dahal to explore various genres and styles.

Her early exposure to English rock bands like Guns N’ Roses, Linkin Park, and Nirvana significantly influenced her musical taste. “The first song I did cover on was from Guns N’ Roses. I was influenced by English songs,” she says. This eclectic mix of influences helped shape her musical style, blending Western rock elements with her unique touch.

Dahal’s journey from singing at school competitions to writing her own songs was marked by a series of personal milestones and professional achievements. “The first song I released was in 2019, ‘Bhumari’,” she says. Despite having written several songs prior to her debut, Dahal had never considered officially posting her music. “I didn’t have any plans. It just wanted to give it a shot.”

Her songwriting process, Dahal explains, is anything but linear. “There is never a concrete songwriting process,” she says. Sometimes a melody comes first, other times it’s a thought or a feeling that demands expression. “Sometimes a song may take 15 minutes to an entire day.” For Dahal, the bridge of a song holds particular fascination and importance. “In any song, the bridge is the most important part.”

However, the path to success has not been without challenges. The Covid-19 lockdown was a significant setback for Dahal who thrives on live performances. “I’m a person who loves performing,” she says. She had to find solace in writing and introspection. “Lockdown was an experience for me. I learned a lot. I wrote a lot.”

One of Dahal’s ongoing battles is with the gender disparity in the music industry. “I feel we haven’t seen a female headliner yet,” she says. This absence of female representation is something Dahal is determined to change. “I’m working hard to change this mentality.”

Her music reflects not just personal experiences but also societal observations. Her recent project ‘Ma Sakdina’ addresses the expectations placed on women in Nepali society. “This song is about the life of a woman which circles around either being a good daughter or a good daughter-in-law,” she says. The album, ‘Janmadaag’, meaning generational curse, encapsulates these themes, urging listeners to confront and challenge societal norms.

In addition to her captivating melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, Dahal has a unique approach to her live performances. “I like to scream as much as possible,” she says with a grin. “I also want my listeners to scream. We have a lot of bottled-up emotions, and how do we get them out?”  Dahal says her concerts are more than just musical performances. They are therapeutic sessions where emotions are released.

“I want people to come to my concerts and scream their hearts out,” she urges passionately. “Let them be like a therapy session, where we can all collectively release our pent-up feelings and find solace in the power of music.” It’s this raw authenticity and connection with her audience that sets Dahal apart as not just a musician, but a healer through her art.

Dahal’s personal life is intertwined with her professional journey. She speaks fondly of her supportive family, particularly her brother, who is also a musician. “The person who has full support from their parents is probably the luckiest person on earth,” she says. Their understanding and encouragement have been crucial in her pursuit of music.

Looking ahead, Dahal envisions a future filled with music, performances, and personal fulfillment. “I see myself being happy, doing shows and making more music, writing more songs, gaining more experiences, and having lots of cats,” she says with a laugh.

For upcoming musicians, Dahal’s advice is simple yet profound. “Break the wall. Sometimes you feel powerful. You are full of ideas, plans, and visualization. The next day you might feel exactly the opposite way and feel down. Never trust that phase when you are down. Always keep your visualization high and explore your music.”

Reflecting on her aspirations for the broader arts community in Nepal, Dahal emphasizes the need for change and growth. “We talk about and praise international artists, but I think it’s our time to reach the international level. Someone has to level up and take a step to break the boundaries.”

An essential part of Dahal’s journey has been her collaboration with Nirvi Kalpo, a company that has significantly contributed to her growth as a performing artist. “With the help of Nirvi Kalpo, I’ve been doing great shows. Nirvi Kalpo has been a huge part of how I’m establishing myself. This partnership has enabled her to connect with the audience and expand her reach.

With unwavering dedication and passion for music, Dahal is not just creating songs she’s paving the way for future generations of musicians to dream big and challenge the status quo. As she continues to break barriers and inspire with her art, the music industry in Nepal will undoubtedly feel her impact.

The Industry and Consumers' Welfare Office, Humla has decided to organize a two-day industrial exhibition in the district headquarters, Simkot.

Office Chief Pradip Regmi informed that the exhibition would be conducted on June 25-26 for the promotion and publicity of locally produced goods.

The local products ranging from food items to clothes and rugs would be put on display.

Regmi further informed that the event would be an effective medium to publicize the indigenous skills and products.

The fair also features the competitive show where the first one would get a cash prize of Rs 30,000, while the second Rs 20,000 and the third Rs 10,000.

It is believed the event being organized at a time when there are complaints of not getting market for indigenous products would contribute to making the economy dynamic.

The disruption of flights at the Tenzing Hillary Airport, Lukla has stressed out the tourists.

Adverse weather caused disruption of flights for ten days. The tourists visiting the Khumbu region have been badly affected by the inconvenience in air services.

Air controller at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAN) at Lukla, Divas Dahal, informed that the fog and poor visibility disturbed air services. Both the aeroplanes and helicopters were not able to conduct flights since June 8.

"It is the time the foreign tourists returned to Kathmandu after traveling to the Sagarmatha area. The number of tourists leaving the district is more than arrivals. But adverse weather took a toll on air services," Dahal added. All flight schedules are canceled for ten days. Thick fog has caused poor visibility.

However, Dahal informed that some helicopters were operated from Surke helipad located down Lukla. Geographical specificity is a problem for Lukla where dense fog occurs frequently this season, according to him.

Surke is relatively clear.

Similarly, after a four-hour trek down the Lukla airport, the travelers can get vehicles for Kathmandu. It is also the option for the tourists to ride from Thamdanda to Kathmandu in jeep.

Thamdanda lies 70-km away from Salleri bazaar, district headquarters of Solukhumbu.

The jeep fare is Rs 2,000 per person from Salleri to Kathmandu, a 275-km distance.

Kathmandu: “We have learned what it means to be a woman, and more importantly, what it means to be a woman who holds the power to redefine traditional definitions of equality and feminism tainted by patriarchal imprints in our society.”

When Priyanjali Karn, 22, from Janakpur, spoke these words from the podium to a packed hall, her parents beamed with pride. Eight months ago, she was quite different, they said. Karn’s mother, Subha Suhasini, 52, noted that her daughter was progressing and improving day by day. Her father, Satyandralal Karn, head teacher at the Kalimati-based Jana Prabhat Secondary School, observed that Priyanjali had become “more social, expressive, and extra confident in public speaking.” 

Although the family initially hoped Priyanjali would pursue a career in the technical field, they now fully support her dream of becoming a teacher. She is determined to advance the cause of women in her community and catalyze social change. “Now her choice is ours,” her father affirmed.

Priyanjali Karn, a proud daughter of Madhes, was among 18 girls from diverse castes and communities who graduated from the Young Women’s Political Leadership Course (YWPLC) 2023/24 program by Women LEAD Nepal. She received the ‘Most Growth Award’ for her batch. During her visit to Madhes Province as part of the course, she realized the significant challenges Madhesi women face, especially in education, and feels a personal responsibility to uplift them.

The graduation ceremony for participants of both the YWPLC and the year-long ‘Lead Course’ was held in the capital on Saturday. Reflecting on her journey, Priyanjali shared, “At the start of the YWPLC course, I was scared and nervous, unsure of what lay ahead. I felt helpless and disappointed at why women are still looked down upon. I was afraid to ask questions, fearing my lack of knowledge would be exposed.” She continued, “But these eight months have been a beautiful journey of learning, unlearning, understanding, internalizing, and searching for hope in where we stand and what we must question.”

Ranjana Ramtel, 18, from Sindhupalchowk, won the ‘Most Growth Award’ for the Lead Course 2023/24, which featured 27 Grade 12 young women in Nepal. “The Lead Course was a turning point in my life. It introduced me to women’s leadership and taught me skills I had missed out on for 18 years. I learned public speaking, leadership, active listening, time management, civic engagement, and more. I also learned to engage in social issues and work as a change-maker,” she explained.

A management student, Ramtel now aspires to become a societal leader over the next decade. Her mother, Maiya Ramtel, 41, traveled to the capital to attend the graduation ceremony. She marveled at the transformations in her daughter over the past year and expressed hope that her daughter would dedicate herself to fostering social transformation, combating discrimination, and standing firmly for her beliefs.

According to Women LEAD Nepal’s Executive Director, Hima Bista, the Lead Course is designed to empower Grade 12 young women with a deep understanding of leadership styles and personal strengths. It focuses on building confidence, communication skills, and resilience, equipping young women with the tools and support needed to become influential leaders and advocates for change in Nepal. The YWPLC, targeted at women aged 18-25, aims to provide foundational knowledge of Nepal’s democratic system and political processes, along with essential professional skills for political organization and an understanding of the importance of intersectionality and women in politics and leadership.

Lawmaker Dr Toshima Karki, who attended the graduation ceremony to inspire the graduates, emphasized the need for meaningful representation and leadership of women in all state apparatus. She asserted that women’s empowerment would remain incomplete until women were economically empowered. Dr Karki hoped that the graduates would significantly contribute to shaping the future of women’s leadership and urged them to continually enhance their skills to claim their roles and leadership in various sectors of society.