Deep Shrestha And His Songs Articles / Dharan on News Date: Jan 09, 2006 - 12:02 AM Deep Shrestha And His Songs It only takes a small opportunity for a talent to rise to the occasion, and later change the course of history to become a legend in his own right: Even during his lifetime! And it was during one such remarkable occasion that a young man from the southeastern city of Dharan enthralled everyone, including the then King Mahendra, present at the Rashtriya Naach Ghar on December 15, 1968 (BS 2025 Poush 1) with the rendition of his first ever composition, Ma Pattharko Devata Hoina. Rings a bell? Yes, the youth was Deep Shrestha who had come from his hometown Dharan along with a group of artistes to perform the play Shilanyash at the said theater that evening, and he was given a chance to entertain the audience with two of his songs, the other being Mayalu Roop Chha Timro, during the intermission of the program. Incidentally, those two songs were to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the golden era of Nepali music. Mesmerized by the singer, King Mahendra commanded that he record as many songs as he liked at Radio Nepal. So on December 17, he recorded Ma Pattharko Devata Hoina, his first recording, along with five other compositions. When he returned home through India after nearly eight days, his songs had already become a rage. They were on everyone's lips, and still are, and he had now become the famous singer Deep Shrestha. The signature song became so popular that it was banned for six months on the pretext of its lyrics, he reminisces. From then on, Deep Shrestha would come to Kathmandu once a year to record a couple of songs, and then return to Dharan. During that period, recalls the singer, Nati Kaji believed in his potential and often composed songs for him. So he owes a lot to the late maestro for his faith in him. Deep also wouldn't like to miss out on Bijay Shrestha, father of singer Bidhan Shrestha and lyricist of several of his songs beginning with Ma Pattharko Devata Hoina. Bijay was also the lyricist of such hit duets as Lahar Banera Khojen Chhunalai by Deep and the late Sushila Subba. The two performed several duets after Sushila was brought to Kathmandu from Dharan by the singer himself in the early 1970s. Around this time, Deep also took part in the Nationwide Music Competition and eventually won the first prize in vocal for his song Bidhwaako Sindoorko Rahar in 1973. His was a fresh and modern voice. In the years to come, he gave Nepali music a whole new dimension and won the hearts of millions with several unforgettable tunes from albums like Best of Deep Shrestha, Dobhan, Aavriti, Antara and Drishti. Apart from adhunik songs, he contributed with patriotic songs and bhajans as well. He had even released a collection of Sai bhajans called Bhajanamrit. During his long career, he has recorded nearly 300 songs, but he says that many of them are lost today. Admittedly a self-made man, Deep Shrestha loves to compose and sing mostly his own songs. So he has sung only to the music of Nati Kaji, Shiva Shankar and Shubha Bahadur Sunam in the past. In later years, though, he has sung to the music of Deepak Jangam, Dibya Khaling and Prakash Gurung. He also admits to having the creative collaborations of lyricists Shiva Shankar Thapa, Basanta Thapa, Rajendra Thapa, Shri Purush Dhakal, Biplav Pratik, Ratna Shumsher Thapa, Kiran Kharel and Yadav Kharel who penned suitable songs for him. He confesses to having been somewhat frustrated by the changes in the music scenario at one stage of his career. But he later recomposed himself and came out with the same vigor to win over audiences with songs like Ma Ta Doordekhi Aayen and Har Raat Sapanima from his album “Drishti”. Even in his mid-fifties, Deep Shrestha is as fit as ever and is currently the assistant music director at the Royal Nepal Academy. And despite his busy working life, he still manages to find time for noble causes like the one he is involved with today. source: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=60885 This article comes from My Dharan | Your Window to a Global Dharane Network http://www.mydharan.com/ The URL for this story is: http://www.mydharan.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=131