Bina’s musical journey from Damak to Kathmandu

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel,Damak, Aug. 7: Bina Bhattarai, a permanent resident of Damak- 9 in Jhapa had a passion for singing from her childhood. 

From her childhood, she exhibited a keen interest in singing and dancing. Observing her fervour for music, her teachers and friends encouraged her to channel her passion into a potential career.

Her mother, Ambika Debi, played a crucial role in nurturing her singing talent.  Bina’s family had migrated to Damak from Taplejung, and Bina completed her secondary education in Damak. 

Driven by her deep interest in music, she arrived in Kathmandu for higher education. In Kathmandu, Bina started learning music under the guidance of Chandi Prasad Kafle. She dedicatedly studied music at Shree Sangeet Pathshala for eight years.

 In 2008, she marked her debut as a singer with the song ‘Jhukkayer Paso Thapi’ in the album ‘Badhyata’.

Apart from singing, Bina is also a talented songwriter, having more than 150 songs to her credit.

 She has contributed to both folk and modern music genres, with popular songs like ‘Chhakkai Pare’, ‘Budheshkalako Lauri’, and ‘Suntala Ko Fal’.  Her self-penned song ‘Sari Malmal’ gained significant popularity.

She acknowledges the support of her late father, Manprasad Bhattarai, who sold their livestock to support her singing career, and her mother, who sold her jewellery to cover necessary expenses.

Sadly, after her father's demise in 2020, Bina's musical journey faced a setback.

 The COVID-19 pandemic further affected her plans. However, she is now preparing to release a new song and album. Currently, she is studying music at Tribhuvan University Fine Arts Campus and has been teaching music at three local schools.

Bina has earned recognition and honours for her musical prowess, including awards like ‘Chhanyadevi Teej Music Award 2018’, ‘Sagarmatha Music Award 2019’, and ‘National Rapti Music Award’. 

Additionally, she has experienced as a judge in the preliminary selection of Nepal Idol. Now Bina is eagerly working on a new song for Teej, which she plans to release soon.