Dixita Karki’s Jeevan: An honest plea of a teen

By Mannu Shahi

Dixita Karki a.k.a. Pugu is a Kathmandu-based singer/songwriter and YouTube influencer evident to the masses after her 2017 Justin Bieber cover was published via her father’s social handle. Offspring of the popular YouTuber and musician Chetan Karki, the father-daughter duo helped uplift each other’s prominence through their much loved “papapugu” episodes. 

Getting such exposure from a really young age, Pugu initiated her musical journey as she turned eight and her father’s profession and outgoing personality helped her soar to unimaginable heights.

Chetan Karki being a composer, guitarist, recordist, and studio owner encouraged his child to participate in a cover video alongside him which was intended to be uploaded to his growing Youtube channel and felicitously this very video went viral making the father-daughter duo an overnight success. 

Born on 13th December 2002, Pugu means baby in Tibetan as the singer’s mother Nima is a descendant of Tibet currently residing in Pokhara. At 17 the songstress already has 168K subscribers on her personal Youtube handle and is en route to being the future face of Nepali music.

Her songwriting ability, edgy persona, euphonious timbre, dynamic range, vocal control, and alluring charms only solidify her stance as the next eminent diva of the country. 

The singer’s debut single ‘Timi Ra Ma’ was released in 2018, dedicated to and produced by Chetan Karki. The stripped-down acoustic arrangement of the song compliments her vocal style and highlights her flexible range, in addition to this the straightforward flow entices the audience with its cozy ambiance and simplicity.

Thus the official video published by chetanvlogs has over a 7.1million streams while the lyric video released through the singer’s personal account has a staggering 13million plays and counting.

And the musician is back after four years releasing her banger's second single ‘Jeevan’ last Monday 29th August 2022. Just a week after its premiere the song is already charting at #8 on trending music for Nepal moderated Youtube broadcast. The music is written and composed by Dixita Karki and produced as well as arranged by Class X Studios.

The spectacular video is directed by Jholey and NFTP; with Atelier Lagom Nepal on wardrobe; Metal Alchemist on jewelry; Craftsman Furniture on props; Tazung on style; sponsored by Mantra Guitars and Dancing Yak.

Her indie pop influences are still well traceable in this tune, starting out with this dreamy guitar line: a gloomy yet hopeful feeling takes over as the vocals lure in and Dixita appears on the screen looking like a celestial being in a white gown amidst the serene Himalayan backdrop.

The song progresses with feelings of frustration and tangled emotions; alongside this, the video plot also shifts from the wide spacious mountains to the singer feeling trapped inside a room; sometimes alone panting, angry and other times with people forcing her to represent a persona, unlike her authentic self. 

The second verse transitions to a lighter note lyrically and the video also alter to the musician enjoying open landscapes and freely letting herself flow inside water.

Mid-way through the song before the second verse a short b-roll in black and white showcases a father and a daughter staring out into the world and the similar theme returns towards the end but this time Dixita holds an infant in her arms as they enjoy each other’s company at the present moment.

This intriguing metaphorical storyline flatters the song's aesthetics and projects a sophisticated concept manifested by Dixita and July. With a tinge of Billie Eilish and Finneas songwriting flavor, the venerability demonstrated by Pugu from a lyrical standpoint is much commendable and, thus, just as original for its very personal and honest plea of a teen trying to make her own space in this scary and judgmental world.