Ramesh Dahal

Mahesh Acharya who hails from Maijogmai-1, Ilam, is a successful lyricist having contributed to the Nepali music sector for two and half decades. He is currently secretary of the Lyricists’ Association of Nepal. The songwriting skill, knowledge and creativity of Mahesh have made him a successful songwriter.

Inspired By Thapa
He gained traction to songwriting when he was a school teen. He used to listen to the songs on the Radio and tape recorder. He used to read the lyrics and poems written by superior lyricist Ratna Shumsher Thapa and others.
He had nurtured a dream to be like Ratna Shumsher Thapa in one day of his life as he was influenced by the writing style, selection of themes, and the way legendary Thapa used to pen his thoughts into songs, most of which have become very popular.

Inspired by Thapa, Mahesh is careful in selecting his themes and words. As a result, his lyrics sell like hot cake in the Nepali music sector. Music composers and singers are always eager to compose and croon his songs.
These days, Mahesh is advocating the copyright issue in songwriting. He seems busy in the matter related to the economic and moral rights of lyricists.

Born in 1979 to mother Chandra Kala Acharya and father Khadga Prasad Acharya, he has contributed to twenty separate music albums of top-level music workers. Although the releasing of music albums has delayed, his presence on Youtube is notable where his songs have received rave reviews and favourable comments from listeners and music lovers. This indicates that he has had a notable followers for his songs.
The songwriting journey of Mahesh had begun in 1990. A year later, he finished at the first position in a school-level poetry competition. His formal entry in songwriting commenced in 1998.
A duet song, ‘Ke Chha Nirjala?’ was recorded in the music of Mohan Magar and sang by Mohan with Radha Rai in 2003 that formally debuted him in songwriting.

Today, he has around five dozens of recorded modern songs. He has recorded around 500 songs. The first anthology ‘Antara’ and a music album ‘Ama’ is expected to come shortly.
Audiences have liked and praised many of his songs. However, ‘Malai Ma Jastai Banna Deu’ sang by popular singer Shiva Pariyar is superb. Similarly, ‘Thaha Chhaina Jindagima’, ‘Siyo Bani’, ‘Jau Hai Himalma’, ‘Bolu Bolu’ and ‘Laidim Laidim’ are in the hit list which were composed in collaboration with the music workers from the old and new generations.
Singers like Shiva Pariyar, Pramod Kharel, Anju Panta, Dipak Limbu, Jagadish Samal, Milan Amatya, Nishan Bhattarai, Rachana Rimal, Mohan Magar, Indra Gurung, Radha Rai, Prem Pariyar, and Aleena Chauhan have collaborated with Mahesh.

Mahesh has received national-level music awards and honors from the government and private organizers. He is a lyricist who wins the competition organized by Radio Nepal twice. In 2020, the Lyricists’ Association Nepal has granted him the award (NRs 57, 000 and certificate) for his lyrics ‘Thaha Chhaina Jindagima’ sang by Anju Panta in the music composition of Ram Sitaula.

Awards
In 2014, Mahesh was awarded for excellent songwriting in a modern song competition organised by Radio Nepal. Likewise, in 2017; he got another award for writing the best child song in a competition organized again by Radio Nepal. Similarly, he was granted National Inclusive Music Award, Young Minds Entertainment Award, and Industrial Peace Nepal Music Award for writing outstanding lyrics.
Mahesh is a popular figure among the music workers hailing from both the old and new generations. In the music market, people expressed that Mahesh is dedicated to writing best lyrics for which he earns good remuneration.

Needless to say, he has caught the sentiment of the audience with his creations. His songwriting is adding additional brick to the advancement of the Nepali music industry. It is expected that his contribution to the industry will continue the trend of soulful, melodious songwriting in the country first started by the senior song writers like Ratna Shumsher and Narendra Thapa and others.

(Writer is a lyricist and researcher of Nepali music)