Krishna Kafle: A cherished voice in Nepali music

Kathmandu, Feb. 28: Krishna Kafle is one of the popular singers in Nepal. 

 Born in 1988 in Syangja, he has been deeply immersed in the music industry since 2007.

 Passionate about music from a young age, he participated in various competitions and festivals, nurturing his talent and love for singing.

In about two decades, Kafle has lent his voice to over 500 songs, establishing himself as a sought-after playback singer and musician.

 His hit songs, including   Parkha Mayalu,  Dekhana Champa,  Timro Picture,  Maile Boleko Chhaina Dhatera,  Hane Maile Jhattaro,  Sake  Hasauchhu Nasake Timilai Runa Dinna,  Choliko Tuna,  Laidaina Maya Pirati, Maya Basyo and Tala Chabi have significantly boosted his popularity among the music lovers.

Beyond singing, Kafle made a brief appearance in the popular comedy TV series Tito Satya as well. 

Interestingly, before pursuing music, he aspired to join the Nepali Army and made eight failed attempts to get a job as an army man. Only on his ninth attempt, he was selected for training.

 However, due to the ongoing Maoist conflict at the time, his mother, out of fear, urged him not to pursue a career in the army.

Out of concern for his mother and his passion for music, he decided to go to Kathmandu and chose to follow his musical dreams instead.

Although Kafle does not come from a musical family background, he used to sing loudly and imitate singers.

Seeing his passion for music, his family and friends began encouraging him to sing at school functions and festivals. This marked the beginning of his musical journey.

 He then participated in Nawalparasi Idol and, fortunately, won the title, surpassing hundreds of participants. Winning Nawalparasi Idol not only fuelled his passion for music but also strengthened his confidence and determination to become a singer

He recorded his first song, Aasuma Dubaunana Bhantheu, in 2008, composing it himself.

 Over the years, he has written and composed more than 100 songs, exploring various genres, including playback, modern, and folk music. 

His journey in film music began in 2010 after recording his first playback song for the film Dabab, directed by Dayaram Dahal.

Since 2014, Kafle has performed internationally, starting with Qatar and later touring more than a dozen countries, including Canada, the United States, Europe and various Gulf nations.

Reflecting on his career, Kafle now prioritises quality over quantity. 

“Having sung over 500 songs, I have become more selective. I want to create music that truly touches the hearts of my audience. Moving forward, I will focus on songs with meaningful lyrics and deep emotions,” said Kafle.

Kafle learned classical music and trained under Chandi Prasad Kafle.

 He also plays the harmonium, further enriching his musical expertise.

 Looking ahead, he is planning a musical tour in Canada as part of a Nepali tour, followed by performances in the UK and Europe.

He also sang the popular Newari song Raja Mati Kumati in its Nepali version and is planning to release a few more songs soon.

 For his excellent musical career, he has received awards such as the Janasewa Shree Medal, Natikaji Pratibha Samman, New York State Assembly Citation, and a Guinness World Record as a participant (playback singer).