That was why he never dreamt to achieve something he would not be able to get in his life. Unlike other children who he often heard of aiming to be doctors or engineers since their early childhood, he had no one even to advise him to plan out for something. He never gave ambition a chance to grow in him. While he was six years old, Ram Bhandari, a pastor at Bouddha Church brought him to Kathmandu, giving him new hopes in his life. It was then when Dil Kumar felt he could garner some dream too, a little something to yearn for.
He was admitted to an organization where many like him from poor impoverished families were looked after.
Dil Kumar still remembers how there were musical instruments at the Children’s Home he grew up in Kathmandu. In due course of which, he fell in love with those musical instruments. There were dozens to choose from and he hardly knew the names of these instruments. He had not teacher and could not read notations. But he started playing them and enjoyed strumming notes and tunes. And that was the start of Dil Kumar’s musical journey.
He loved singing while he was amongst his friends and often got complimented for his voice. He performed at few programs in his school and started writing his own words during his teens. After completing his secondary level of education, he thought of getting himself formally trained. He says he did so because he wanted to polish his musical skills more. He joined vocal classes at the Sadhana Kala Kendra in Kamladi where he engaged himself in an intensive training under Prakash Gurung for around fifteen months.
As he completed his vocals training, Dil Kumar assembled the best of his words, worked with the arrangement of music and compositions, and lent his voice to his own words. He says he now understands where he is directing himself in life. He understood he wanted to become a singer – a professional singer.
When he spread his hands in seek of moral support by professional singers of Nepal, some believed in his potential while some snubbed him without a glance. But this dark horse did not give up. He struggled day and night and finally managed to come up with his first album “The Real Hearts.”
This album is an ensemble of eight different numbers. Dil Kumar wrote all songs, composed music and lent his voice to the tracks in this album. Some of the songs have female backup.
The first number of the album Chabel Chowkma is already popular. It was also nominated by Voice of Youth FM as number one song some months back. Back in his village of Khamling in Sankhuwasabha district, Dil Kumar is already a local celebrity and an inspiration to many, for his achievement and struggles. With his fan list growing by the day, he however says he does not like to be called a star though.
“I prefer to stay grounded so that I can stick to my boots,” he says explaining how too much of expectations can kill many dreams for people.
Other numbers in his album comprise of some dohori-s, few sentimental pop numbers, and few duets that talk about long-distance relationship, betrayals and about different locations.
“I’m looking forward to working harder. My album is not exceptional but I know I definitely can improve and do more. My reality was when I had no one to back me up, I needed to think twice before aiming high,” he says. “I must not miss to thank Ram Bhandari uncle for all what he has done for me so far.”
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