How did you enter the world of singing?
I believe singing comes naturally to me. My first exposure to music was as a child of three when I listened to a cassette player. I touched the cassette player and it felt like magic. I listened intently to the rhythm and started humming along. I later realized that the sound coming from the cassette player would have to be recorded in a studio. I wanted my voice to come out of the cassette player as well, and thus started my struggle to get recorded.
Can you describe your family and education?
I’m told I was one when my home in Koshi Tappu was flooded. My parents perishedin the flood and I was left on the banks of the river. My father’s friend found me and took me home. I was handed to my grandmother Devimaya Timilsina and she raised me in Letang. We used to go to Dhankuta and sell peaches in the bazaar to earn a living.
I used to sing and we had customers flocking in. Then I met my sponsor Joanna Eastwood and she funded my education in Laboratory School, Kathmandu. I passed SLC in first division and got enrolled in Sagarmatha Multiple Campus where I joinedthe Humanities stream. I passed my Intermediate in first division as well, and I couldn’t continue my studies due to financial problems after that.
How did you get your first record date?
I was a participant in the singing reality TV show Rumpum Sur Sangeet broadcast from Image Channel. I won the competition and then participated in the South Asian Star singing competition held in Mumbai. I was among the top five contestants and won the title of “Best English pronunciation.” I was also the winner of the Close up Timro Sur Mero Geet singing competition broadcast from Nepal Television. I was then introduced to various record companies, and my first album “Dibyadrishti” came out.
It didn’t do well. But I performed live and gave solo concerts at various venues, and this kept me in the limelight. I’m now preparing for the release of my second album, “Prakash,” from Rebel Creations. It’s scheduled for release on April 14.
I myself have penned the lyrics and composed the music to one of the songs in the album. I love to write and can play the guitar and flute.
The singers you like to listen to?
I’m a huge fan of ghazal singers Hariharan and Gulam Ali. I love Bon Jovi and wish to collaborate with singers Satya and Swaroop Acharya and Anju Panta in the future.
Do people sympathize with you for being visually impaired and refrain from critically analyzing your work?
Yes and no. I’m sympathized a lot and people listen to my songs but they wouldn’t do so unless I had something in me. Besides that, there are more disadvantages to it. I can’t socialize as much and my contacts are limited. This gets me less shows and I have to depend on someone else for my survival.
Things appear to be changing, though. I’m going to Qatar for a show very soon and then I have a gig scheduled at the end of March in Hong Kong.
Is there anything you would want to change about your life?
I want to keep singing. I thank God and the people who have shown faith in me. There are many things I want to do, such as cooking, but I can’t. But I don’t let these things depress me. I enjoy life and get joy from little things.
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