Narayan Gopal
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‘Swar Samrat’ Narayan Gopal is without doubt the most prominent and popular singer of Nepal. Swar Samrat, means ‘King of Vocals’ and true to this, Narayan Gopal is the supreme virtuoso of Nepali music. When people think or talk about Nepali music, the name most associated is that of Narayan Gopal. While we know him as a singer, Narayan Gopal was also an accomplished music composer in his own right. Not only was he gifted with a great voice, he was very versatile. His voice range allowed him to sing songs of every genre. His songs are often richly orchestrated with the sitar, harmonium and the flute.
He has sung over 250[1] songs, modern songs, ballets, dance dramas, movies and patriotic songs. Most of his songs are melodies. It is said that he was very selective about which songs he sang. Although 250 songs is not a lot for some of his caliber, they are outstanding in some ways – be it the lyrical depth or superb rendition. These songs have contributed in enriching the store of Nepali Music and popularizing Nepali music even beyond political frontiers. In recognition of his contribution in the field of Nepali music, he has received several national honors and awards, Indra Rajya Laxmi Award, Chhinalata Award for vocals, Jagadamba Shree, Trishakti Patta third (awarded post humously) Urvashi Rang.
Narayan Gopal was born to a Newar family in Kathmandu in 1996 Bikram Sambat (BS). His father was a classical musician and wanted his son to follow his footsteps. Narayan Gopal was interested in music from an early age but not exactly into classical field. He studied music in India. Narayan Gopal has sung many beautiful and soulful songs composed by late Gopal Yonjon. Narayan Gopal married his long time fan from Darjeeling, Pemala Lama.
We lost this great musician to a notorious drinking that caused organ failures on December 5, 1990 at the age of 51. The cassettes and CDs of his music still, to this day, make significant sales in Nepal. Continued sales of his albums attest to his immense popularity.
Which one of these is your favorite Narayan Gopal song?
Euta Manche Ko Maya le Kati
Jhareko Paat Jhai
Yo Samjhine Man Cha
Saawan ko jhari bani
Manche ko Maya
Kehi mitho baata gara
Yo Samjhine Mann Chha
यो सम्झिने मन छ, म बिर्सुं कसोरी
तिमी नै भनी देऊ ए जाने निथुरी
यो सम्झिने मन छ, म बिर्सुं कसोरी
तिमी नै भनी देऊ ए जाने निथुरी
यी औंला तिनै हुन् तिमी ले चुमेका
परेली यिनै हुन् तिमी ले पुछेका
यी औंला तिनै हुन् तिमी ले चुमेका
परेली यिनै हुन् तिमी ले पुछेका
म सक्दिन आफ्नै प्रतिबिम्ब छोप्न
म सक्दिन छाती फुताएर जोड्न
यो सम्झिने मन छ, म बिर्सुं कसोरी
तिमी नै भनी देऊ ए जाने निथुरी
पखाले ये आँखा पनि द्रिश्य उही छ
जहाँ नै म हिंडे पनि धर्ती उही छ
पखाले ये आँखा पनि द्रिश्य उही छ
जहाँ नै म हिंडे पनि धर्ती उही छ
न सक्छु म आकाश चिथोरेर फेर्न
न सक्छु म जून को उज्यालो नै छेक्न
यो सम्झिने मन छ, म बिर्सुं कसोरी
तिमी नै भनी देऊ ए जाने निथुरी
Jhareko Paat Jhai
झरेको पात झैँ भयो उजाड मेरो जिन्दगी
निभेको दिप झैँ भयो उदास मेरो जिन्दगी
झरेको पात झैँ भयो उजाड मेरो जिन्दगी
चुरा फुटेसरी भयो चराहरु उडीगए
चुरा फुटेसरी भयो चराहरु उडीगए
हजार कोपिलाहरु नमुस्कुराउँदै झरे
उठेको बस्ती झैँ भयो प्रवास मेरो जिन्दगी
विहान जो खुशी थियो जलेर साँझ भैसक्यो
विहान जो खुशी थियो जलेर साँझ भैसक्यो
भिजेको पात पातमा निशादको कथा थियो
अधेँरी रात झैँ भयो विषाद मेरो जिन्दगी
जलिरहेछ लास भित्र भित्र कहिँ छातीमा
जलिरहेछ लास भित्र भित्र कहिँ छातीमा
टुटेफुटेका स्वप्न झैँ अँगारमात्र छातीमा
जिवन बजर सरी भयो उराठ मेरो जिन्दगी
निभेको दिप झैँ भयो उदास मेरो जिन्दगी
झरेको पात झैँ भयो उजाड मेरो जिन्दगी
Maile Punya Mann Paraye
मैले पुण्य मनपराएँ
या पाप मनपराएँ
जे होस् मैले तिमीलाई
चुपचाप मनपराएँ
जब फुल र काँडा दुइटा
सँगै रमाउन सक्छ
जब दागको रंगमा पनि
टिका समाउन सक्छ
नसोध मैले वरदान या
पाप मनपराएँ
जे होस् मैले तिमीलाई
चुपचाप मनपराएँ
तिमीसँग लिनुपनि छ
तिमीलाई दिनुपनि छ
हाम्रो हिसाब किताबमा
सच्याउनु पनि छ
यो हिसाब भुलेर तिमीलाई
बेहिसाब मनपराएँ
जे होस् मैले तिमीलाई
चुपचाप मनपराएँ
जे होस् मैले तिमीलाई
चुपचाप मनपराएँ
[1] Information Courtesy Akash Subedi (http://www.facebook.com/akash.subedi)
