Yash Kumar strives for social change through music and art

By Renuka Dhakal,Kathmandu, May 31: Yash Kumar is a well-known figure in the Nepali music and film industry, having established his career spanning about three decades. 

He gained prominence with the immensely popular song ‘Maile Chhoyeko Pani Chaldaina’ in 2000.

This year, he received the prestigious national award, the ‘Janasewa Padak,’ presented by the President of Nepal.

Receiving the national award was an immensely proud moment for Yash Kumar, as it marked two significant firsts in his life. 

It was not only the first time he had the privilege of wearing the traditional Nepali attire 'Daura Suruwal' during the ceremony, but also the first occasion where he was honoured with a national award by the government for his remarkable journey in the music industry.

The significance behind wearing the ‘Daura Suruwal’ stems from an interesting incident earlier in his career. After the massive success of his song ‘Maile Chhoyeko Pani Chaldaina,’ he was invited by King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev to perform the song. However, he was rejected for not wearing the ‘Daura Suruwal’ at the time. 

 He said, “I eagerly bought a set of 'Daura Suruwal' for the award ceremony, and when I put it on, I experienced a unique transformation. A sudden surge of national sentiment washed over me, and in that moment, I truly understood how the national dress embodies the pride of our nation.”

Yash Kumar has released a total of eight albums to date, comprising of 'Reason,' 'Tirkha,' 'Timi,' 'Narune Aankhaharu,' and 'Rain' as his solo albums as a singer. In addition, he has also released three albums as a composer, namely 'Ashtha,' 'Umer,' and 'Yo Sansar’.

He has also ventured into filmmaking with ‘Bato Muniko Phool,’ ‘Veer,’ ‘Aadhi Baato,’ ‘Bato Muniko Phool-2’ and ‘Tshering’.

Yash Kumar holds the belief that the title 'Bato Muniko Phool' represents the symbolic offering of flowers to the divine above the road, while the flowers that blossom beneath the road go unnoticed and unappreciated. 

Drawing a parallel between this disparity and the social hierarchy, Yash Kumar draws a comparison where the marginalised lower class is akin to the disregarded flowers beneath the road, while the privileged upper castes are likened to the revered flowers above the road.

Reflecting on the past, Yash Kumar fondly remembers the craze among fans during the golden era of his career when people would express their admiration by writing letters in blood. During that time, he received immense respect and love from the audience. However, he acknowledges that times have changed, and today's celebrities do not receive the same level of adoration from fans.

Yash Kumar's father hailed from a Brahmin family, while his mother belonged to a Dalit family. When he was 10 years old and came to Kathmandu, he initially had no knowledge of the differences between upper and lower castes. As he grew older and learned about caste distinctions, he decided to take his surname from his mother's caste due to his close bond with her.

His musical journey began in 1995 when he recorded his first song, ‘Haso Mage Timisanga’. Nevertheless, it was his song 'Maile Chhoyeko Pani Chaldain' that served as a catalyst, inspiring him to establish his life's purpose as a singer.

According to Yash Kumar, the impact of the song surpassed the influence of the 33,000 NGOs operating in Nepal, as assessed by the public. The song left a profound imprint on Nepali society, making a significant and lasting impression.

The song resonated with the hearts and souls of the audience, highlighting the issue of caste discrimination prevalent in society, he added. 

 Yash Kumar has also sung love songs like ‘Timro Man Badliyechha,’ ‘Ma Kaile Haseko Thiye,’ ‘Jani Jani,’ and more.

According to Yash Kumar, there are two types of songs: those that merely appeal to the mind and those that touch the heart. The latter type remains fixed in the hearts of the audience for a long time. 

Yash Kumar strongly believes that songs should be effortlessly sung by even non-singers. 

He emphasises the importance of their catchiness, requiring no effort to hum along, making them accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Apart from his contributions to music, Yash Kumar is involved in various other creative endeavours. He is an actor, director, producer, and writer. He started his journey as a theatre artist and has acted in half a dozen of plays. 

He believes that creators should focus on producing songs with lasting impact rather than pursuing short-term fame through viral trends. He urges today's creators to use technology wisely and develop their skills to sustain long and successful careers in the music industry. 

His future plans include releasing five new songs and embarking on tours to Canada, Europe, and the UK. He is also writing a script for another film. 

In addition to the national award, Yash Kumar has received several accolades throughout his career, including the 4th  Epic Nepal Music Award, 5th  NEFTA TTV Award, Amin National Music Award, 3rd Himalayan Nepali Events Award, and more.