Sajha.com

Hi All, Ever since I was a Journalism student in Dehli I wanted to do interviews off people whom we hear on the Radio or TV but I never had the chance until now. I’d like to talk about Sunil Parajuli singer/songwriter & his new album which is due out shortly. There is much to talk about the singer/songwriter however, here is a little introduction regarding Sunil Parajuli my next door neighbor whom we don't hear much about. I've listened to all of Sunil's songs and I sat down with him not too long ago and had a nice long conversation with him here is how it went.

1st the introduction & some of his quotes:

Sunil’s been in the music field for a long time now as far as we can all remember. He started out in 1985 (2042 Nepali Sambat) with “Shun Shaan Raat Ma” the album is listened and played around the world to this day. Songs such as “Akasai Ma Cheela Udyo”, “Kahile Kahi”, “Hansi Khusi Ma” & “Mero Maya” are vivid in our hearts and minds. These songs are way before my time but they sound as though they were done yesterday. His second album was released after a long break which was very simply named, “AAU”. The title song soared to a different height and got nominated for various awards. The second song, “Asaar Ko Mahina” has been an anthem for FM Radio’s across Nepal during the Monsoon & Ropai season and the month of Asaar. This song gets played so frequently every Asaar since its release back in 1999 that it's become like a national song for the month of Asaar. According to Sunil the music arrangement & the flute piece by J B Lama in the song has been a phenomenon and loved by everyone. His third album, “Mero Priyasi” got recorded in 2002 and released in 2003. Songs such as, “Man Ka Kura” catches your breath away it is such a beautiful romantic song. According to Sunil this song sounded so good to the music video director that he instantly selected this song out of the 8 songs in the album to be visualized. I watched the video and it s really beautiful, filmed entirely in Nagarkot the beauty of the mountains in the back adds beauty to the song. Sunil’s singing style also sounds different in this particular song. It sounds ever so smooth and I loved his voice. Song, “Kathmandu Raajdhani” is about the deteriorating environment of Kathmandu the words and the tune will make you think twice about the situation of Kathmandu’s environment in general. I think it is one of his best writings. The music video also gives the message loud and clear. He told me that the environment and filth in Kathmandu was far worse than what’s portrayed in the video. His idea was not to rub it in and as the saying goes, “a word is enough for a wise”. Video of this song was nominated for best video audience choice at the Chanel Nepal TV in 2004.
About his new album, "Harek Mod Ma", this album was recorded between 2003 & 2004 however, it never got released. The songs he says are just as intimate and beautiful as in my old albums and a lot of work was put in it. He mentioned about a song called, “Sapana Sari” which was written and composed by Amar Raj Sharma a well known songwriter/composer from Patan. He was very impressed by Amar Raj’s compositions and decided to try one. Sunil is planning on doing an album with just Amar Raj Sharma's compositions sometime in the future. Sunil has also done a song, "Jati Heryo Timro Tasbir" written by Damber Pahadi a lecturer at the campus in Ilam. Who he thinks has a lot of potential in writing and is also thinking of creating more of his writing into songs in the long run. Sunil tries some different styles of song in this album. Per Sunil, he has never recorded songs that involve Tabla and he has done a couple in this album. "Dashain Ra Tihar", is another song that is simple and catchy, makes you think of Nepal & the festivals more than ever. My overall say about the album is that it is a beautiful album and one should keep it as a masterpiece in their collection.
This is Sunil’s 4th album and his 4th collaboration with veteran guitarist, music arranger Kishor Gurung.
Here are a few questions I asked Sunil:
Question: Why do you have so few writers and composers involved in your projects? Answer: For the most part I write and compose my own songs. I do have plans to include other writers, composers and singers in my future projects. In fact I've already done so in this recent album. Besides, if anyone has words and music they want to share with me they're welcome too. I'm also looking for fresh new talents to include in my albums. I have songs written and composed for other talents that will come about some day. It has to be the right time for everything.
Question: I agree your songs do have variations such as environment, cultures etc. What other subjects should we expect in your other songs? Answer: I like to try any and all subjects. However, some of the topics are real difficult to tackle. Currently I'm working on a song regarding alcohol abuse in our culture. This addiction is destroying families as well as companions be it your wife or girlfriends are being abused by their alcoholic partner. This is a common happening especially in my hometown of Ilam & Kathmandu. I'm also working on songs that are all about Dashain & Tihar. I love languages & I’m planning to try Newari and Gurung songs. In fact one Newari song is all set to go. There are many more other languages I’m planning to try in the future.
Question: Why is it that you’ve only arranged your songs with Kishor Gurung, do you plan to use other arrangers? Answer: My answer is very simple Kishor Gurung is the best. Yes, I do plan to use other arrangers in the future if everything goes well.
Question: Why so few albums in so many years? Answer: Lots of reasons, finance, time etc. I also believe in quality rather than the quantity.
Question: What kinds of music do you like the most? Answer: Any and all kinds of music that sounds good to my ears. I go for the melody 1st.
Question: What's with this cover designs why not your photograph, what do you think about album titles in English? Answer: I'm glad you asked me this question? I've introduced new artists in every cover of mine, 4 new artists so far. I use minimal colors 4 at the most what that means to me is that we can live simple lives with fewer things than what is out there that we think we need? I also don't like to advocate to much English in my album because our language, "Nepali Language" is just as beautiful as any other language out there that are popular or are considered fashionable to speak. I also don't like the idea of titles in English, I love to sing in Nepali and I'd love to title my albums in Nepali. Besides, we have ample Nepali words to title your albums with you just have to research it a little bit. It’s a free world and people can do whatever they want but why would anyone sing & record in Nepali and title their albums in English, this is beyond me??
Question: Who are your influences? Answer: Kishor Gurung, Mukunda Khadka, Shyam Lama, recently Amar Raj Sharma. There are many Guitar Players, Composers, Writers, Singers and many other musicians I've heard through Radios, Records, Concerts, whom I’ve met along the way and I will meet in the future that I'm influenced by.
Question: What do you think about the music situation in Nepal? Answer: Terrible, whatever little opportunity there was has been destroyed by piracy and free down loaders. It’s gotten worse and easier by the day for the culprits to get music for free. Most of the so called audio and video distributors are just another disease to tackle for the musicians. If there is no payment for the musicians the future of Nepalese music is hard to predict. Anything that does not get food to eat on this earth, dies, such is the state of a lot of musicians in Nepal & that is why you are seeing a lot of them leave Nepal for other jobs in the world?
Question: When do you plan on working on your next album? Answer: In fact I’ve got enough material for at least 3 new albums right now. Over 30 songs are ready to be recorded. Majority of them are mine and some are by Amar Raj Sharma and others. They are unique in their own way and will be great to listen too. I’m just waiting for the moment to arrive before I can record them and present it to you all.
Question: What do you plan to do in the future regarding your music and where do you plan to take it? Answer: I do plan to create more music in the future. There are other plans for the future regarding Nepali Music but every plan everything you want to do cost a fortune. I'm planning to do more fund raising in the future to achieve at least one of them. Some of this album’s proceeds are also going to be included for the project. I will discuss this in detail after I finish my little research which I'm working on. I'm still writing about it and one day I shall present it to everyone who loves and wants to preserve Nepali Music.
Question: Where else can we buy your music? Answer: Outside of Nepal you can log on to www.cdbaby.com and search me under my name. You can purchase a whole CD or you can buy single songs and download them onto your computer, IPODS or other MP3 music system. In Nepal you can purchase them via Music Nepal my distributor and music stores across Nepal.
Question: You talked about a project you support that is run by your brother, can you tell us a little bit about it? Answer: The project is called Himalayan Health Care Inc. it runs a clinic in Ilam and a health post in Tipling below Ganesh Himal. We get visiting doctors from the US and other countries to help us from time to time. I was involved in this project since its inception back in 1992. I was in Ilam helping to build the clinic back in 2003 & 2004. I'm helping in every small way I can. I do believe in giving back to your community. After all I love Ilam my parent’s birth place. You can log on to www.himalayan-healthcare.org to find out more about the project. Some of the proceeds from this album will go towards this project.
Question: Finally, anything you'd like to say to your listeners? Answer: Upadhayaji – I know you had a lot of questions perhaps I can answer them all some other time but I thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your few good questions. I thank all the listeners who listen to Nepali Music and hope they keep listening. I do have plans to record and release more albums in the future hope you'll stay with me along the way & I'll try not to disappoint you. Long live Nepali Music.

By Tarasha Upadhaya

F.Y.I : Check him out on CD Baby.com buy his latest CD, "Harek Mod Ma" or single it's very simple.

Dasai and Tihar is coming close and there is a beautiful song regarding Dasai & Tihar in this album.

I loved the album. One of the best in Nepali song market right now !!

   [ posted by tarasha @ 12:23 PM ] | Viewed: 1570 times [ Feedback]