Winner of Sprite Band Challenge 2008 - Nepal
A rock band from Nepal since 2004 entertaining the audience from east to west of Nepal and beyond.
“We used to sing and play for fun and happiness more than money. With time it became our profession.”
-Niran Shahi (Vocal)
Music is heaven to the
ears and outburst to the soul. Taste and preference of tunes are influenced through culture, territory and country which brings us to the certainty that Nepalese music indeed is a strong cocktail of culture and brotherhood. A pedestal to Nepali music, precisely speaking nep-hop and rock music, is already well established through the introduction of emerging artists making the music industry better than ever. It’s those music magicians who are building the music industry from absolute scratch and delivering nerve wrecking and soul touching contents in the form of lyrics and music that we just can’t stop obsessing about and relating with in our lives. A slow or a classical music might carry the potential to instill peace, sensual energy, emotional feelings however the context is a little offbeat when it comes to pure rock music. When those electric guitars and basses hit the floor, a thundering atmosphere is invited with people banging their heads wildly, screaming like a pack of wolves on a full moon; yeah that’s rock music. The performing rock artists have a dynamic get up with leather jackets and a dominant lumber jack look which makes it perfect to gear up the audience's excitement, possibly causing imaginary earthquakes in the arena.That’s the power of rock music.That’s the ecstasy of rock music where there is a mad adrenaline rush in the blood, blood vessels feel like popping up inside a person’s head and it is obvious they are having a good, if not the best possible time of their lives. There was a time in Nepali music as well, a time when unceasing energy could be felt when a couple of music titans grabbed their instruments and would absolutely turn any concert into a devil’s dance. A group of college mates passionate to explore musical boundaries and show the world what Nepali Rock music is, gave birth to the legendary rock band “Anuprastha.”
“Anuprastha” the name meaning “Starting tune” or “Music first” is a Nepali rock band established in 2004. Niran Shahi (vocalist & guitarist), Jimi Joshi (bass), Govin Sunuwar (guitar), Bibek Tamang (drums) and Sundar Maharjan (madal/percussion) are the founding members. Niran, Jimi and Govin grew together as musicians performing in college events, farewell parties and a strong sense of creating a team that would unite and ignite the music was always a motivating element but yet to be polished and discovered back then. In the year 2008, the “sprite band challenge” opened the golden doors to success.Their triumph soon had the air fragranced with their music, especially “Din”. The follow-up of the band’s first music video “Din” got them the love of all the Nepali people within the country and throughout the world that still is a strong representation of never dying iconic Nepali Rock music that we crave to listen to. Their debut album “Anuprastha” was released in the winter of 2010 signed to “big music” along with the release of three music videos “din “,“sukhaa ra dukkha” and “guff” respectively.”Din” instantly was a hit making the entire country grove ultimately providing “Anuprastha” the title of mainstream band. After a whole 5 years of silence, in 2015 their second album “what to do Kathmandu” was released.
“दिन त्यो पनि थियो जब हाम्रो क्षण अंगालो मा बित्यो ।”
This evergreen line surely did present their vibrant college days and whatever the band has achieved so far, is perhaps a reflection of unity. All those competitions skyrocketed their market demand and got them busy with playing shows around thamel pubs and other small events around the city. Basically, a wild roller coaster ride completely unheard of was ready and when combined with hours of crafting their music, all that was required was a little fire in the engine and their rocket took off for a musical journey. Our favourite song “din” was sponsored to the band as a winning hamper along with an award money of NPR 100,000. Ever miss being a 90’s kid who grew listening to strong magnetic rock which is kind of dead now? Well, this will be the talk of the town again as “Anuprastha” will be releasing their new album this year i.e. 2020.The vitality and captivating charisma in their guitar riffs and powerful vocals will merge with the air once again. Current Anuprastha
An old man’s vengeance is with time, isn’t it? It replaces everything and so has music been transposed. Being a 90’s band seeking inspiration from bands such as “Guns N Roses”, “Nirvana”, “Pearl Jam”, “Metallica”, “Anuprastha” has always had its genres amplified with mixture of typical Nepali folk tunes synthesized with speaker blasting rock tunes. All we can say is the 2020 album is awaited! Let’s talk a few lines about the members that actually are the real crowd bangers and unite together to commonly be addressed as “Anuprastha”
“Anuprastha” has welcomed and waved goodbye to some of their members who have accompanied their legacy and carried it forward for a couple of years and more to go:
Current Members:
Niran Shahi (Vocal/Guitar)
Govin Sunuwas (Guitar)
Suresh Maharjan (Percussion 2015 to Present)
Manjil Raj Shrestha (Drums 2019 to Present)
Laxman Dangol (Bass 2019 to Present)
Former Members:
Surendra Koirala (2012 to 2015)
Sundar Maharjan (2005 to 2012)
Bibek Tamang (2015 to 2018)
Jimi Joshi (2004 to 2018)
The entire nation is forever thankful and extends immense gratitude for their contribution in revolutionizing Nepali music. Anuprastha’s genre of music evokes and transforms pain into power, their live performances evokes rebellion making people forget whatever life might be hammering them with and all they do is groove to the electrifying concert. Some of those tours and performances of “Anuprastha” are enlisted below:
2015 Anuprastha live at bal mandir (fundraising event for street children),
2016 Anuprastha live in hile (fundraising event to provide full scholarship for 10 students),
2017 What to do kathmandu (Nepal tour),
2018 Anuprastha live in Dubai (Dubai, Abu Dhabi),
2019 Nachana maichyang (Nepal tour),
2019 Rock n roll phase 7 (Nepal tour)
The band is surely a legend the world once discussed. Their lockdown sessions just landed on YouTube re-performing those iconic songs enchanted with power that sound as fresh as always and we contemplate the roaring comeback of “Anuprastha” soon!
