I started schooling in Little Angels and then I was in St. Xaviers till class four. I was good in my studies. I don't now how I managed to be so because I never studied. Maybe it was because I used to be attentive in my class. I used to sing and dance a lot but never in the front. I used to be a side dancer in school and I preferred being so.
After finishing my class four, I went to Logan Logan, Utah, United States along with my family. I studied class five at Hillcrest Elementary School. Later I joined Mt. Logan Middle School and completed my class eight. I was the first guy in my class. I was very active in extra curricular activities too and usted to participate in basketball, baseball, and skateboard. The place where we were staying was a village.
I earned my first money when I was in calss six. I liked Michael Jordan a lot and I wanted to buy shoes of his brand --98 Jordans. It costs $120 so I had to work. My work was simple--plucking grass. I worked for just one week as I got an allergy in my hand. But I bought the shoes. When I was in class four, in one of our books it was written that "Buddha was born in India". I told my teacher that it was wrong. He did some research and then taught us that he was born in Nepal only.
I was honoured with Presidential Fitness Academic Award when I was in class eight. It was given by the then president George Bush (father of the present president) but then it wasn't that valuable to me. Now I know its worth.
After completing class eight we came back to Nepal. I again joined St. Xaviers and I appeard in SLC from there. But this time it was difficult for me. My old friends were not there. I joined Nepali tuition class when I was in class nine becuase I was very weak in Nepali.
When there was any function in school I enjoyed backstage. I used to draw curtains up and down and used to be a referee. I never felt like coming out in front but somehow it used to happen that I was pushed ahead.
After SLC I joined Campion Academy. Now everything was new. Once in exams my friend passed me a paper and I got so nervous that I threw the paper. My friend asked me to pick it up but I couldn't. I covered it with my feet.
Once we had one class test and the whole class copied from one another. The one from whom we copied got the highest mark -17- and the one copied last got the lowest. He got seven. It so happened that everyone was coping the wrong thing from one another. I was in student council so I had to miss many classes. That is the main reason I didn't have to bunk the classes but I used to take my friends along with me. But now I know that it was stupid of me to disturb my friends' studies. For my Bachelor's, I joined Campion College. I was general secretary but I lost in the election. It was the first time I had failed.

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Himalayan Times, Saturday, June 7th, 2003
Star Brand Stand

Here is a sneak peak into the closest of some stars. You already know them, now know their favorite accessories, what they use to look and smell the way they do.
Nirnaya da' Naughty Soul Kid (NSK) jovially shares "I am not particular about the brand of moisturiser, lotion or sunscreen. I just use whatever is in my hand and guess what, I don't shave at all. I just cut my moustache with a pair of scissors."
Deodorant: Gillette
Perfume: Cool Water
Sunglass: Gianni Versace

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Wave--June 2003-- No. 90
Rappaz Union

When you talk about recorded Nepali Hiphop artists one name instantly springs to mind-- Rappaz Union. Their debut album Fo' Ya' All (2000) was nothing short of groundbreaking as they became the first Nepali rappers to record in English. Their debut album removed a lot of barriers and misconceptions about Hiphop. Before Rappaz Union, the general opinion was that rap artists are thugs trying to make money using their lightning fast vernacular. But with their upbeat outlook and feel good lyrics, RU challenges such perceptions and is on a quest to establish a clear and accurate identity for Nepali Hiphop, one that is separate from the thugs from Compton (california) or the hustlers in New York.
Formerly a group of four, Rappaz Union currently comprises local radio personality Nirnaya Shrestha a.k.a. da' Naughty Soul Kid (NSK) and Samrat Khadka a.k.a Sammy Samrat. These guys keep the music grounded in Nepal through whatever means possible. In their third album, Da' Nepali Touch (2003) Rappaz Union rhyme to the background music of the bansuri, the tabla and the sitar. With three albums under their belt, this duo has become the elder-statesman figure of Nepali Hiphop. As a radio jockey, NSK has used his visibility to promote Hiphop and recruit new talent. Most notably, "Richie Rich Rinchin" (rinchin), Meri D (Merina Dongol), who features in I Feel Ya' from the second album, and more recently Kunchhang Moktan featured in Mistakes from Da' Nepali Touch.
"Keep it real and true, but true to you", says NSK. RU, the first Nepali rap act to rhyme in English, has been unfairly compared to the regular fare of Hiphop acts on television. This is not very encouraging for the artists since hip hop is still in its infancy in Nepal. Sammy proudly states, " We are not Nelly or Eminem. And we are not tryijng to be like them." But takijng inspiration from thier American counterparts and the wide appeal of Hiphop in Nepal, Sammy prophesises, "A new day will come".

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Zeal- the fire inside, Vol. 1, No. 1, Poush 2059
Interview With Nirnaya- da naughty soul kid-- interviewed by Sarju Tuladhar

I entered into his office with the hope of his presence. As I saw him, I was relieved. He was not as surprised as I expected. He was dressed up as cool as I was told of. He is Nirnaya- da' naughty soul kid, the hand-in-hand rapper of Rappaz Union, anchor of 97.9 FM and presently working in sajilo.com.

* Well are you busy right now?
---No, I'm quiet free.

* So shall I start to boomerang questions on you?
--- (laughing) sure.

* Well, what's your birth date?
---February 15, 1978

*Did you study in Nepal or did you go abroad for studies?
---For 5 years I studied abroad i.e. in the U.S. and for 5 years in Nepal.

* What difference did you find studying in Nepal & studying abroad?
---Well, in Nepal it is theoretical study but in the US it is practical. But this does not mean that either Nepal or the U.S. is good. I prefer both, as both theoretical and practical study is required in life. But we can do a lot in Nepal. Many good instituitions are opening up which are providing quality education.

* What was your aim when you were a kid?
---Well, I wanted to become an aeronautical engineer. But, now I am interested in computer field and I am working in the same.

* Apart from this, you are also working in sajilo.com. How far has this been successful?
---It has been very successful. Everyday 50,000 people log on and we are much satisfied with the result.

* Nirnaya, tell us something about your two released album, "Fo' Ya' All" and "Da' game mus' go on".
---The first album- "fo' ya' all" is the first English rap album in Nepal by four people, that are; Nirnaya, Caoz, Sammy Samrat & Rinchin. It was of limited edition and is now not in the market. The second album "Da' Game Mus' Go On" features a whole lot of new artists. It is the first Nepalese Black CD.

* In your opinion, who are teens and what do you think they take their life as?
---In my opinion, teenage is the foundation of life and teens are themselves the ones to determine their future. If they make their foundation of life i.e. teenage strong, they are going to make thier life strong but if they do a blunder in teenage, they'll have to suffer in life.

* What difference do you think there in teens of your generation and today's generation?
---There's a lot of difference. Teens today are too fast and smart. They are too much extrovert.

*Do you agree that teens should fully engaged in their studies?
---Well, its not only bookish knowledge that is important. If a person has interest in sports or music, he/she must have sports education or music education. This enables them to enjoy life. Apart from this, a person also should be intact with his academic studies.

*In your opinion should love affairs take place in a teen's life?
No, love stuffs re not meant for teens. Teenage is the foundation of life and it must be utilised properly, which can only be possible when love stuffs do not interrupt.

*Last but not the least, what message do you want to give to the younger generation or the teens?
---All I want to say is; take your life easy. Don't make it complicated. Think about the future, life is long. One mistake now will haunt you forever. Don't take the wrong path. When you know something is wrong, don't commit the mistake, although it may be difficult. And learn from your mistakes.
And one thing, we have come up with this Rappaz Union, which features a lot of new artists. We know how hard it is for new artists to come up. So, we have made provision for the interested artists to experiment their talent in our Rappaz Union as the featuring artists. So, if some body is interested you can contact me at nirnaya@sajilo.com.

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May 2-8 2003, Nepali Times #143
Break Through--Nepali hip hop is coming of age by Trishna Gurung

It was late Saturday afternoon and the DJ spun "Hell Raizer", a rap-rock tune of teh Limp Bizkit variety. Fresh young things crowded the dance floor. The girls wore tight jeans with placemat sized tops and the boys were dressed in very baggy trousers and team jerseys (New York was very popular) with prominently displayed Nike swooshes accesorised with a liberal display of faux chunky gold chains and diamond earstuds. You'd be forgiven for thinking this was South Central LA or the GBronx but these very hip young things were living large at the third album launch, "Da Nepali Touch", of local hip-hop outfit Rappaz Union at the Bakery Cafe in Thamel.
Nirnaya Shrestha, Samrat Khadka, Rinchin & Josh Duncan are better known to their fans as Nirnaya Da' Naughty Soul Kid, Sammy Samrat, Richie Rich Rinchin & Caoz Capone. "We come from different places and backgrounds but are bound together by our music, that is why we named ourselves Rappaz Union," elaborates da' Naughty Soul Kid---further abbreviated to "NSK", whose day job involves managing sajilo.com. As NSK, he takes the stage to a wild round of applause and cheering and appears very confident--little wonder considering he has 50 concerts under his belt. Nirnaya strides up and down the stage with a hint of a slouch, a red baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. The crowd rushes forward as he raps, his elbow turned away from his body as he holds the mike at a 90-degree angle, "What, can be done in dis' fightin' land/where, dreams are all made of drifting sand..." Nirnaya enunciates with a soft sibilance: surprisingly, deciphering the lyrics does not need an advanced degree in hip hop argot. Off stage, the 24-year-old is soft-spoken. He graciously signed autographs and posed for photos with fans before coming to say hello. Why hip-hop? "This is how I express myself and the way I think," he says sparingly. "It's a part of life."
At 31, Chirag Bangdel who is the emcee at the event, could be the oldes audience member. His own preference leans toward rock and roll and jazz but points out that both were once considered renegade music, much like hip-hop today. The bad reputation came with rappers who swore allegiance to the 'thug life' with their 'gangsta' lyrics that glorified gun-blazing, Cristal-popping and designer-name-dropping---- all far removed from Nepali youth who know Cristal but sip Carlsberg, dress in designer fakes and call each other 'nigga' affectionately. "It's a cliche but music is universal and Rappaz Union is a hybrid, a positive one," he says. "They sing about things they know like love, ambition and 'making it', even politics, which explains why Nepali kids relate to this genre." Rappaz Union's third album has Nepali songs and a lot of Nepali musical influences---the sitar, damphu and bansuri feature on several tracks.
A tourist walked in, bewilderment on his face. He heard the music outside on the street and came in to satisfy his curiosity. He introduced himself as DJ Mordy from Israel and said, "This is amazing," gesturing to the rappers, the audience and the sheer surprise at his discovery of the local hip-hop community that is small, tight and still redolent with an underground flavour. The support rappers show eacch other is evident when the Nepsidaz are invited to come onstage. The six members--Kiran, Gyanon, Manas, Yanzi, Saurav are not all there but are well represented by the rest of their posse. They launch into a familiar tune and the penny drops--"hell raizer" is their baby. Others were invited to join a 'battle': a hip-hop war of words locked to a recorded flow where the wittiest one wins. It is unscripted, spontaneous and breathtaking in its intensity to cow the other competitors down under a verbal barrage.
Admittedly it was sprinkled with profanity but what earned the most audience appreciated were rhyme, rhythm and humour.
Repartees fly at each other, and in an odd way it sounded like a close kin of the Nepali dohari folk tradition where male and female singers exchange risque dialogue through song.
Susan Shrestha was dancing with abandon to American rap star Nelly and it's obvious the she knows all the lyrics to "Ride with me". She is a fan of Rappaz Union and deftly makes an "R" and "U" with her right hand. It takes me a full minute to do the same. "I love the music", she says simply to my question of how she can identify with a genre of music that was born in teh African American urban ghetto. "They say things we're going through, and it's a bonus that its' got a great groove too!" she adds. Susan paid Rs. 300 to be there. "It's worth every rupee and more," she says. The entry price includes food and the plate comes laden with momos, pakoras and french fries served with plenty of ketchup and washed down with the ubiquitous cola. On a small level the combination platter represents the music--a curiously bold blend of East & West that is nonetheless quite appetising.
The process of give and take is evident in Nepali rap. Girish and Pranil or GP recently put out a rap single in Nepali that defiantly celebrates the self, "Ma yesto chhu/ ma tyasto chhu/ jasto panni bhaye daami chhu"-- "I may be like this or like that, but anyway you cut it, I'm da' bomb." If the popularity of the song and Rappaz Union's third album is anything to go by, hip-hop has arrived in the kingdom. The high visibility of hip-hop is only part of the genre's popularity. It has to do with this generation carving out a niche for itself and finding a medium of expression. It may be a while before hip-hop begins to pay the bills, but there is no doubt the genre is experiencing a break through: young Nepali hip-hop acts have talent, an audience and the chutzpah to take, break and make something their own. Respect y'all.

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May 2002, No.77 Wave, Jestha 2059
Rappaz Union: Making The Video- 21st April

The hip-hop group Rappaz Union has recently completed shooting their first music video for the song I Feel Ya taken from their second album Da Game Mus' Go On. The video stars Meri D, Rappa YNG and Nepsydaz as well as personal friends of the group. All three of them were introduced in the new album by RU. Meri D and Rappa YNG sing on I Feel Ya.
This is also Nepal's first video for an English song by a Nepali artist in Nepal. The concept for the video is 'living every party confused' says Nirnaya, the group's front man. During the video Nirnaya chases an elusive girl through many parties played by WAVE covergirl Bina Ghale. The music video is going to be treated by the creative team at 4 Drops. It is due air on national TV channels in the near future, possibly next month. The video features a lot of new technical effects, which could be a breakthrough as far as Nepali music videos are concerned. It was shot, on location, at Lounge-The Planet, in Kathmandu Plaza, and Hotel Yak & Yeti.

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February 2002, no. 74, Wave, magh/falgun 2058

26th January--Rappaz Union- Da' Game Mus' Go On

The rap group Rappaz Union recently released their second album Da' Game Mus' Go On at the Himalayan Java (organized by sajilo.com). The objective of the event was also to raise some funds for Sungava, an organization that deals with the mentally disabled children. The event kicked off with live performances by the members of RU. This time around the union had grown as a lot more rappaz' had joined in. Nirnaya Da' Naughty Soul Kid was as energetic as ever. A young lady who put up a good show was Merina, a.k.a. Meri D, who performed for the first time, and is one of the new voices on the new album. Mr. K from the Nepsidaz, another new member, rapped with confidence and style and filled up the Caoz Capone who was missing in action. Only Nirnaya and Sammy Samrat from the original quadrate was present. For more on their new album and new members, check New Pinch (page 43).
The performances included some old hits as well as songs from the new album. It lasted for about an hour after which there was a break for lunch. The party got rolling again as DJ Mix Master P took charge. The dance floor was crowded with youngsters having fun for a cause. During the dance session there was a break when Nirnaya (on behalf of the RU and sajilo.com) handed over Rs. 10,000 to Subarna Keshari Chitrakar (President) from Sungava (Jamal, Seto Durbar) as a part of sajilo.com's sajilo cares program.

Da' Game Mus' Go On ***
Rappaz Union

The rap group Rappaz Union is back with a new album titled Da' Game Mus' Go On. This is the group's second album and this time around the union has become bigger. Along with the old memgbers Nirnaya Da' Naughty Soul Kid, Sammy Samrat, Caoz Capone, RU also introduces a hos of new female and male rappers from Nepal and abroad.
The opening track Rappaz Union Anthem is the first song where you will hear the new union members Sriya and Jenni, and although this is not the best ytrack on the album, the res of it is much better. Thse second song Good thing Gone starts off with Jenni singing the chorus (along with Sriya), and this voice is probably something to watch out for in the future, if she should continue to sing. Asta Lavista is an interesting song to listen to as the new rapper Nepsidaz' and Lil Slugger raps in Nepali and have done a fairly good job, considering this being their first time on record. Also, the collaboration with the rock group Brothers In Arms in the song Death Da' Truth has come off pretty good, with hints of some Linkin Park like style in ther. Real Deal is the onlyu song in the album where there is just on vocalist, Josh (the song was written and composed by him). Every other song in the album has a combination of various rappers and singers. Real Deal is another retro hip-hop sound on the album.
The album also introduces some rap ballads, if you could call it that. I Feel Ya is a love oriented song introducing the female rappers Rappa YNZ (yanzi) and Meri D (Merina), and then there is Hand In Hand, the song about sadness of violence and war and hate.
Rappaz Union seems to have grown up since their debut album, as the materials and the styles on this album are more original and convincing than their last, and not as retro. Also, the new union members (male) Da' Nepsidaz', Rinch Da' Grinch (from Australia), Lil Ville Sluger (USA), (female: ) Rappa' YNZ, Meri D, Sriya, Puja and Jenni (sweden) have all done a good job.

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Himalayan Times, Friday, January 25th
Rappin' Wid Da Rappaz

The Rappaz Union have come out with yet another album this time called "da' game mus' go on', which is to be released on the January 26th at Himalayan Java, Thamel during a charity concert for mentally disabled children from "Sungava". Orginzed by sajilo.com, the programme includes a dance party with DJ Mix Master P and live performance by the Rappaz Union.
An up and coming group of rappers, their new album features not only Nirnaya Da' Naughty Soul Kid, sammy Samrat, Caoz Capone (Josh) but also female rappers from abroad and in town like Yanzi, Merina, Jenni (Sweden), Sriya and Puja.
If you like rap songs and you are a patriot with a faint sense of sentimentality for Nepal, this album is just right for you. Of the twelve songs in the album, one recording called 'asta la vista' is spruced up with Nepali words that give a different feel to 'rap songs' and it sounds just right too, like "where are you my sweet mayalu?" The cover only shows two rappers of the union: Caoz Capone is missing. Capone has capered off and left only two of the for the album cover photo shoot and appropriately, the album also has been called 'da game mus' go on' for the 'playaz game' certainly went on.
Young rap loving people of the capital are sure to like the way they have used the word K-A-T-H-mandu. It sure sounds catchy.
The very first rappin' record is called the 'rappaz union anthem' and its been done quite nicely. If you've heard their first album 'fo ya' all', this is an improvement in a big way.
The tenth number in the record "death da' truth" will go for the metal loving rap fans. This is a bit harsh on the ears but teenagers have near about become immune to the thrashing sounds of distortion. So that won't matter.
"Hand in Hand" has good lyrics as does "back wid' da' flow" and the chorus girls Rashmi, Jenni and Sriya sure sounds good.
It's a cool album by only rappers band in Nepal. And it is not harsh or insulting. The gbeat is good and the guys have good rappin' accents.
The rest of the album is remarkable for a group of Nepali ('cept for Josh, who happens to be from da US of A) youngsters out rappin' at de wol'.

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Midweek Post Wednesday, 23 January 2002

Loose hanging pants, oversize boots, strangest haircut in town and difficult to comprehend lyrics- that's what most of the pople would associate Rap music as. But not Rappaz Union for they feel the music is a form of expresssing yourself and Rap helps them do it best.
Rappaz Union- the name that almost suggests a group of gangsters, but not a name unheard of among the die-hard music buffs of this Himalayan Kingdom. It may be a surprise to many that the bnad has, to its credit, one successful album to its name. "Fo Ya' All", Rappaz Union's first attembpt at cutting an album, was a succes. They were able to sell as many as 1000 CDs locally (given the state of sales of Nepali CDs, it may well be described as a resounding opening!)
And now that they are all set to release their second venture, hip-hop fans have every reason to celebrate. With as many as 15 artists lending their voice to the music in the album -"da game mus' go on", one can safely say it to be an entertainer.
Apart from the four Rappaz Union regulars Nirnaya Shrestha, Samrat Khadka, Richie Rich Rinchin and Josh Duncan, a total of 11 new voices find their way in this album- something that Nirnaya aka (also known as) da' naughty soul kid says is their way to help new talent find their way to the audience's heart.
The theme of the songs in the album vary from the common ones like love, life, party to as diverse as the gangsters and patriotism. Apartr from one song that is in Nepali, all songs are English.
When the album is in Nepali, why the songs in English? Nirnaya and Samrat (fondly called Sammy Samrat by the fans) say that it could be very difficult to Rap in Nepali and still maintain the hip-hop flavour.
"Rap doesn't sound too good in Nepali" both say in unison, a Rappaz Union style. Given the singers' diverse background it only seems logical that they sing in the language that the whole team understands. While Nirnaya and Smarat are Nepali, Richie Rich Rinchin is from Canada and Josh Duncan (also called Caoz Capone) is from theUnited States of America.
Priced at Rs 300, the CD can be called a music lovers' delight, if not pure joy. It could well be termed as something of a good bargain from the Rappers who have jammed it up with the likes of Khem Raj Gurung and Navin K Bhattarai.
And yes, if you want it cheaper do not let the chance go by when the Rappaz Union release the album on the January 26 at the Himalayan Java in Thamel. The Union have committed to help Sungava (an NGO working with the disabled children) from the revenues of the concert on the day.
Who said Rappaz don' have hearts?

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Wave--No.45, October 1999
Hear This-- 25:99

Even a one page article wouldn't be sufficient to comment on the 25:99 experience. In case you are wondering what 25:99 was all about, it was a live show that took place in Godavari Alumni Association (GAA), Thamel. Of course, as the name suggests, it was held on the 25th of September, 1999. It was one adrenaline pumping event and GAA was rocking and the participants literally brought the house down! It started with the band formally know as Smarika (must add that it is one groovy band) singing a variety of songs ranging from Pearl Jam to Led Zepplin. Actally there was a collaboration of two, Smarika and The Magpies, featuring the vocalist of the former, Kashish as their guitarist. The Magpies had two amazing female vocalists (and very young, if I might add), Sabina and Axata. If you've been reading WAVE regurarly you would know that their name has come in our magazine many a time and oft; they are ex-Elites' students. Then Albatross took centerstage and boy! This band or should I say Nitesh, the vocalist sure knows how to stir up a crowd!!! Actually the bassist Abhay put out quite a performance of his own. Funk soul brother- two of them combined! It was impressive and with covers by western bnads like Red Hot Cilli Peppers and Rage Against The Machine, it felt like a mini-mini- Woodstock! The best part was their closing song; Robin n Looza's Nepal from their debut album of the same name. If only the band mumbers were there to witness the fact that their song has grown so popular with the youth of today. Bet they will be driven to tears of joy. Both boys and girls were screaming along and headbanging, it was mindblowing and for us, who were older than majority of the crowd that were present there it was kind of a culture shock! There were four bands that performed, and the grand finale was executed by Nirnaya and the Allstars (drummer- Sanu, lead guitar- Sameer, bass-Pranab, rhythm guitar-Amit) with Nirnaya claiming, right at the beginning, that ' Hip Hop Rules' and that 'Hip Hop is for life". They are out with a new single tat is receiving heavy airplay on KATH 97.9. By the looks of it, the listeners seem to have taken a great liking to the sing Bring da house down because it has jumped to the #1 slot in their countdown show, beating the likes of Sugar Ray, Backstreet Boys etc, etc (as of the tiem when this piece was written). Witeh the blend of heavy guitar riffs from the All Stars and Shaq and Nirnaya doing their thing 25:99 came to a close amidst a thuderous applause from the audience. By the looks of it, the show rocked to the bone and credit goes to Kashish who is just seventeen. He singlehandedly (and with the help of friends) organized 25:99. The youth of today are starving for good entertainment but when there is something solid happening, they sure know how to rock the party!

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Wave--No. 29--May, 1998
--Teen Talk--

Questions
1. Name
2. Age
3. Grade
4. School
|5. Dress code
6. Hobbies
7. Passion
8. Aim
9. Wildest thing u've done
10. Funniest thing that's happened to u
11. Most important moment of u'r life so far
12. How often are u allowed late nights
13. Friends or family
14. The opposite of the species….
15. Kind of guy…..
16. Idea of romance
17. Favorite hangout place
18. Type of music/movie
19. When u think Nepal, u think…
20. If given the opportunity, one thing u would change..
21. Complete this: The world's gone….
22. U like to talk about
23. The thing that bugs u most about grown ups..
24. How important do u think traditions and customs are??
25. Describe u'rself
26. Last thing u did before filling this form..
27. Teenage years are..
28. 5 years from now u would…..

ANSWER
1. NIRNAYA
2. 19 years…almost in 20s
3. B.Sc. Computer Science
4. Campion College
5. Loose pants, loose t-shits, canvas or damp n' caps of course.
6. Collecting baseball cards, stamps, coins, holograms and anything that looks interesting. And yeah, playing sports too.
7. Basketball n' anything that I want to do from inside becomes my passion.
8. Is to reach the top n' pull everyone up
9. Everything I do to myself seems normal but others don't seem to agree.
10. Woke up one morning, got dressed walked to the bus stop, wondered why nobody was there, looked at my watch and realized it was 4 in the morning. Just shows how monotonous school life is.
11. When GOD Himself came and gave me a gift. He said…and gave me…..Ha!Ha!
12. If I got a good reason it would be 7 days a week, 365 days a year; bad reason maybe 1 or 2 times a week.
13. Depends on who's right
14. Is a gift of God made to treasure.
15. Depends on what u'r asking for, to look at or to have. Just kidding man. (No problem Nirnaya, everyone likes a good sense of humor.)
16. Just me n' my girl off on a cruise in a handsome little boat to the Carribean Islands or experience the thrill of being close to nature in the rainforest.
17. There's no place like home-Bhat Bhateni to Balwatar
18. Hip-Hop rules the world. Most movies are waste of 1 1/2 hour or 3 hours but if I must choose then I would say gangsta movies are pretty cool.
19. My pride, my own and pollution. All kinds- mind, air, land, water etcetera.
20. Is the invention of money. Most evil deeds are done out of love and need for money.
21. Beyond our reach and outta' control.
22. Depends on who I am talking with
23. Is that they are right most of the time
24. Modernization means eliminating the useless traditions and customs, I repeat useless customs. Not shutting them out completely because it is those customs that have given us our identity as Nepalese, otherwise we would all be facing major identity crisis.
25. That's for me to know and u to find out. (well! We did find out that the guy raps pretty well and is also known as Puffy).
26. Took a shower
27. Sadly I got to admit, they are pretty much over for me.
28. Well, it's 11 o'clock, so, 5 years from now I would probably be doing what everyone does at night- sleeping.

GETTING UNPLUGGED

After having successfully put together unplugged nights in the past, the Friends of Music Society did it one more time last month. It was a perfect moment for music hounds to get that good old feeling as musicians bared their souls and invited us in, as Abhaya, one of the performers put it. The evening neatly complemented the saying that music knows no boundaries as people from all walks of life got together on a musical journey. From invitee bands, Nomads, from Kalimpong who despite the bus mishap on their way to the capital were unshaken and did their best delivering a good set of numbers from Eric Clapton to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Abhaya's rendition of Summertime (Janis Joplin) was splendid. However, the stars of the evening were Kashish, Sabina, Kumar and Nirnaya (most of them featured in Teen Talk earlier,). They're no professionals but the manner with which they carried themselves that evening (smiling through mistakes) definitely won them an admirable audience support.

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Sunday Post--December 24th, 2000
Doing hip hop & rap
--Sareeka Yongpang Rai

When it comes to entertainment business, some believe that it pays to have made your mark in one field of the business to be successful in another. Seventy five percent of the people I know seem to think that Jennifer Lopez would not have sold her records if she hadn't wooed the movie-going male population with her onscreen performances. Well, does teh same rule apply back home in Nepal? Does it work to teh advantage of the Rappaz Union (Rappers' Union for the confused) that one of the capital's most popular radio presenters is one of the band? Probably. Which means that you could say that Nepal's premier hip-hop and rap quartet are talented enough.
To be really honest, I was doubtful whether I could do justice to 'Fo' Ya' All', the band's first album. I happen to sit on the other side of the musical fence where hip-hop and rap don't figure large. But what I could understand about this form of music is that the lyrics can be about anything from love to life to anger and pain. That is what is impresssive, I guess. There is varitey in it. It provides some respite to our listeners who have barely recovered from their overdose of a dozen love songs (we can't seem to go beyond the words "mayalu" and "priyasi") before the next dozen are dished out to them.
In the Rappaz Uninon's first album, even love songs are handled differently. The lyrics are English to begin with and there are plenty of interesting expressions thrown in. Mushy lyrics get balanced with phrases like "No doubt" and "in da' house" thrown in here and there. 'Pretty Gurl' i.e. Pretty girl in simple English, for instance, starts off with the annoucement of "da rappaz union" being "in da house" before the lyrics flow in praise of somebody of teh fairer sex.
And before anybody gets alienatd, RU adds a distinct Nepali touch to teh songs sometimes with the word like K.A.T.H.mandu and sometimes with the accent, perhaps. A perfect examle is "Some say", a musical advice on giving up that bad habit. It inclines towards the well-known Nepalese culture of spreading the message of loving everybody. Samply lyrics, "You say you can do it better than us.....well, that's for you to know and me to see.....I just want some peace and harmony." The highlight of the song, composed by members Nirnaya da' naughty soul kid, Sammy Samrat and Richie Rich Rinchin, are these words (in Nepali), "ji-li-li...hami sabai mili".
The rappers profess their desire to bring awareness thru music and they try to do that thru "24-7-365" where they protest in the name of Mother Earth. Incidentally, the band uses paper instead of plastic for the CD covers. "24-7-365" also showcases the vocal talents of Axata, who has sung a number of commercial jingles. Most guest artists are in store you on songs like "Live Today" where Sammy and Dolma of the all-girls band Sparkle, take on the subject of overcoming sorrows to live a full life. And in "I want to dance" Nirnaya and child artist Aviraj form an unusual combo.
My personal favorites turned out to be "Dat' sumthin". Alas, a love song but it is the catchiest track in the album because of a well-done opening and an interesting chorus which somehow reminds me of cheerleaders. Another favorite, albeit a controversial one was "Real Gangsta Sh#t". If Nepalese listeners can learn to ignore the explicit lyrics, then rapper Caoz Capone should become the next hot property for his excellent performance in the song.
My third and final pick from the album should be, "I want to dance". It's happy and cheerful, it's unusual and it's part Nepali and part English which means the best of both worlds. The band has projected this album to be for everybody, the album's title makes tat obvious. I cannot guarantee that the average Nepalese listener will like it. But i do guarantee that if marketed well, this should be a dance floor staple at the clubs. No doubt about that one!

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Wave--No. 61--January, 2001
BRINGING THE HOUSE DOWN
Hear This

A warm December afternoon got hotter as the frist rapper group from Nepal got ready to launch the first hip-hop album in the country. The four-man-rapping group known as Rappaz Union made their debut with their album titled Fo' Ya' All. The album was launched the Durbar Hall in Hotel Yak & Yeti on the 23rd of Dec 2000. One of the members of the Union, Richie Rich is in Cananda and couldn't make it, but the three remaining members made sure that nothing was lacking in the launch party. Nirnaya a.k.a. Da' Naughty Soul Kid, frontman of the Union mingled with the audience before the main event (performance by the gruop and the CD launch) kicked off, and teh shy audience refrained from stepping onto the dance floor. But as soon as the Union got on stage to perform their songs, the audience needed little or no encouragement to start grooving to the beats of the Union. Caoz Capone, Sammy Samrat, N.S.K. got the crowd going with their original tracks. N.S.K.'s strong stage presence like always was a big help to keep the party flowing. 'Stage fright does not exist in my vocabulary', claims the Kid, and it showed in his performance, as he was on, off and around the stage, dancing and rapping with the audience. The confidence and the comfort with which the Union members carried off their performance was indeed credible, for it is the first time in Nepal that an entire hip-hop oriented performance by one preforming group has been staged. 'It feels good to have the audience singing along to your own songs...' said Nirnaya, and the RU members must have been flattered to hear the receptive audience sing along to their radio hits, Bring the House Down (a dance-mix version of teh rock oriented song was performed), Ji Li Li, Pretty Girl and Live Today.
The Union also held a lucky draw of the tickets, assisted by the audience, and the lucky winner got to be the one to hold up the CD and unwrap it's plastic wrapping to reveal the CD to the rest of the audience. Deewa Shrestha was the lucky girl who shared the stage with the RU and officially lauched the first Hip-Hop album from Nepal- the Rappaz Union's Fo' Ya' All. She was then presented teh CD. The CD, that was launched, is the limited edition of the album with paper packaging. After the limited edition is sold out, the group hopes to produce the regular edition in plastic packaging. After the performance was over, Pritam a.k.a. DJ Mix Master P mixed music to keep the dance floor occupied. Rs. 650 for a limited edition CD, dance party and food at the Yak & Yeti was a very good bargain but even though the turnout was good the RU had hoped for more. Majority of the audience also decided to show up fashionable late, which in turn delayed the event by an hour. ' We were ready to go at 1 (p.m.) but we had to wait for thw audience. The tickets said 1 p.m. sharp. We decided to start at 2 because we couldn't annoy the audience that were already there waiting', said teh N.S.K. The latecomers missed the performance and ignorantly delayed the event for those that were there on time. The tickets also had the options of not including the CD, in which case it would have cost Rs. 350 (minus the 300 for the CD). Cds sold in the market will cost more than what it did on it's launch party.
'We hope to start a trend with this.....the album, the launch party...', said the N.S.K., and the trendsetter was pleased that not only the RU, but the audience too had fun.

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Wave--No. 61--January, 2001
Fo' Ya' All- Rappaz Union ****
NEW RELEASES

Outstanding***** Good**** Worth Listening*** Not Impressive** A Waste*

Rappaz Union is the brian child of a local radio show host Nirnaya Shrestha, a.k.a. Da' Naughty Soul Kid, who hosts a hip-hop oriented show on K.A.T.H. 97.9 fm, called Bring The House Down (Friday:8-9pm). After collaborating with Sammy Samrat, Caoz Capone (from Seattle) and Richie Rich (Rinchin) (from Canada), the Rappaz Union was formed.
The title of the album was inspired by the people that have support4ed and inspired the Union members since their singles started getting air plays in local FM stations. The album starts off with an Outta' Da' World Intro, a converstaion between what sounds like children in an almost surrealistic/dreamy setting. Then it moves on to the first song Ji Li Li. The song introduces the N.S.K. and Sammy Samrat as it flows into a laid-back beat, with the two rappers rapping about dance and parties. The song title really doesn't mean anything. The album then moves into a short skit, Total Caoz and then into the 4th track, Some Say. This song is in response to those people that criticize the efforts of these young rappers, and those who claim are better than them. It has a 70's soul/funkadelic touch to it, with the guitar swinging in the background and all the other effects that are used in the song. The 5th track is a another skit (titled Sumthing for Richie Rich), this time for the missing RU member, Richie Rich. Pretty Girl is the 6th track from teh album, and also the 4th single released in the airwaves of Kathmandu. The song talks to/about a pretty girl, and the music again is retro, only this time it sounds a little like the sounds of the late 80s-early 90's hip-hop. Story of our lives starts of on a raggae-like note with Nirnaya singing a short Nepali chorus. It explodes into a full bloom rap, but with the reggae feel still haning around in the background somewhere. The Nepali chorus that starts the song later is sung in English. The lyrical content finally shifts to more serious aspects of life other than partying, dancing and talking to critics and pretty girls. This is one of the songs in the album that sounds mature and the rap is also good. Most of the songs in the album sometimes sounds a little prosaic, probably because the grooves and the arrangement sound retro, and the lyrics are typical rap lyrics. Real Gangsta Sh*t is probably the most offensive song in the album as it contains explicit lyrics. It's production brings out the gangster rap feel and has a good flow to it.
24-7-365 is an environmental song and features Axata Singh (Rusty Nails) on the chorus. Dat Sumthing is one of the most popular singles from the album but it takes you right back to the days of Vanilla Ice and Marky Mark. I wanna Dance is another song that starts off in Nepali by a child's voice (Aviraj) and breaks into NSK's rap for the verses. The music this time almost sounds like something from Gina G or an Aqua album. The chorus sings about leaving behind the aims of life, concerns of others and simply wanting to dance. Bring the House Down, the first single from the album released in early 2000 is the only rock oriented song. Music credits goes to Samir Khadka (The Allstars) on the guitars and Pranab Joshi (Xmarica/The Allstars) on bass. This song is also interesting as it is the only song that actually uses musical intruments, as the rest of music in the album is produced digitally. The lyrics of the song contains political messages and one of the verses shout 'chor-choryo desh chhod', a line that was asked to be censored before it was allowed to be played on the radio.
The album Fo' Ya' All is a huge step in the Nepali music industry as it is the first hip-hop/rap album, and the only Nepali lyrics in it are not more than a few lines. The album contains 19 tracks of which 4 are skits, an intro and an outro, music track to the song I Wanna Dance, and 12 songs including fast jumpy tracks, gangster raps and laid back hip-hop beats. It's a lot of good effort by 4 young boys who have put up this whole show. Some of the songs such as Bring The House Down, 24-7-365, Story of our Lives, Narcotics n Hydrolics have more originality than others. The album is convincing, and hardly has any Nepali musical touch to it. It is however at times a little childish and cliched. The music was composed mostly by the Union members and arranged by studio technicians who have never arranged hip-hop music before. This in turn leaves improvement for better sound production. The CD production in all is good. The limited edition paper packed CD looks as agood as any other CD, even it's cover designs are retro, as if it is from the early days of Naughty By Nature, or Run DMC. The music could use a lot more new grooves and the lyrics, well, it's a rap album so look out for a lot of self-talk/praise and lyrics that sounds like you've heard so many times before (you've got dat something that no other girl has...you got my heart pumping...). If you're into hip-hop, then the album is a must, at least to see what a hip-hop album from Nepal sounds like. If you're into any other musical genre, then this album could be an interesting experiment to the ears. If you want to see what the boys in the hood have been up to, check dis out, it's Fo' Ya' All.

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Wave--No. 58--October, 2000
Gimme Five

5 Words That Describe You Best--Nirnaya Da' Naughty Soul Kid

1. Hip hop iz how I live, dress, listen to, sing (I wear my pantz low, I let my rap flow, makin' everybody in da' house say ho!!!).
2. K.A.T.H.mandu iz where my heart iz at.
3. NSK (Naughty Soul Kid) iz what I'm known as, (I don't find myself naughty but people find me naughty, I guess it mus' be da' soul).
4. Chillin' iz how I am, cool about most thingz.
5. No Doubt iz what Isay, I usually neva' say no, alwayz yes.
Station: KATH 97.9
Programs: Bring Da' house down (friday, 8-9 p.m.)
Saturday Meltdown (Sat, 8-9 p.m.)

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Sunday Post, Oct. 1st 2000
Stay Tuned
by Sareeka Yongpang Rai

Sometimes what you see is not always there….but other times, what you don't see has always been there. That's the mystery of life"
The time is 8 p.m. on a Friday night in K.A.T.H. 97.9 FM and on air is the eighty-seventh edition of the show that's still injecting a little more of "hip-hop culture" into the Nepalese society.
Nirnaya da' "naughty soul kid" (a not for the ignorant: "da" is the hip-hop equivalent of "the" in English) prefers not to use the help of a technician. "I go with the flow, " he explains his need to do the technical part of the show himself. Majorly responsible for popularizing names like Eminem, Puff Daddy and Dr. Dre in Kathmandu, Nirnaya has been hosting the show "Bring da' house down" for almost two years now and also hosts "Saturday Meltdown" in the same station. He is as comfortable with the show as he is in his oversized pants and confident is the right adjective to describe him on the show.
A lot of people have developed a habit of dismissing the new generation handling this form of media as "chatterboxes" a popular word used to refer to radio presenters these days. That is why, it is interesting to discover that some of the RJs, all of whom are still very much on the right side of their twenties, are very responsible and know what they are doing. With the exception of those who tend to tire listeners with the humour overkill, credit has to be given to these youngsters for knowing the entertainment business. Nirnaya, for one says that he cannot go overboard trying to educate people about an issue, which of course, does not mean that a presenter is to completely ignore a pertinent issue. "I know to what extent the people can digest what I say," He has already had an Earth Day Special on his show but he does try and ensure that there is a perfect balance of information and entertainment in the show.
His colleagues, Sameer and Sarahana, who do a duet show "Time Out" Mondays to Thursdays together and "Electric Circus" and "I'd rather be" respectively on Sundays and Sonika who hosts "Stir it up live with Sonika" and "Wrigley's Chew some music" also seem completely in control with what they are doing with their shows. Both Sameer and Sarahana admit that they handle mostly light topics, but hey do take care not to even broadcast any bad messages. Sonika, on the other hand, has had a couple of issues that are bold by Nepalese standards, on her show. "I have had issues such as pre-marital sex and being the other woman and also Aids," she says.
Creativity becomes the key word when the younger generation, like the K.A.T.H. presenters are in control of the electronic media. It is hard to ignore their knowledge about what business-friendly as well as listerner-friendly. Perhaps, it stems out fo the freedom of working with what they can call friends, rather than colleagues and the freedom to do what they like, even though there are reins of freedom at times.
Most of the presenters have been the unplanned children of the entertainment field. When Asis was offered a job with Kantipur FM, he was actually planning on going back to Australia where he was studying Banking Management. "I had no plans, I'd have probably worked abroad," says the elder half of the sibling duo, "The Rhythm Brothers." Prasna, the younger one, says something similar. He was studying Business Management in Australia and in retrospect, he says " It was not the subject that I wanted to study." Both brothers profess their love for the entertainment business, though. "I love communicatingwith people," says Asis and Prasan is a total believer in job satisfaction. Asis and Prasan stumbled into radio presenting when Prasan won a prize in an FM show and met Steve Cabb at the station. Cabb felt that the borthers shared a good rapport and it would b e a good idea to have the two of them doing the show together. The brothers came up with the name "The Rhythm Brothers" for themselves and even came up with a name for their show, "Music Jam." Their popularity today can be measured by the number of phone calls that they receive on their shows and also by the fact that their mailbox is jam-packed with fan mail.
The radio stations do need to be appreciated for unleashing the talents of these people with the offer of both pocked money and popularity. The RJs are underpaid, maybe. They do admit that it is the popularity that matters. "The pocket money gets finished in about a week," says Sonika. Asis, on the other hand, says that it is neither the pocket nor the popularity that matters. What matters to him is that he has a mens of expressing himself and being creative. Nevertheless, with the introduction of a job opportunity as a radio presenter, young people now look at jobs in the field of media and entertainment as prospective and attainable. Sonika has plans of being a professional DJ. Sameer would like to run a radio station himself and to Prasna, his own radio station comes quite close to the ultimate dream. For him, it would mean the freedom of practice his democratic and civilian rights, voicing out through th media. Production work, appeals to both Sarahana and Asis. Nirnaya is producing an album and has already released three of his singles to a very good response from the listerners. He and his band members, "Sammy" Samrat, "Richie Rich" Rinchhen and Chaos Capone who are collectively called "The Rappaz Union" have come up with four different styles of rapping. "Ji-Li-Li" and "Pretty Gurl" have already made it to 97.9's most requested bracket. Nirnaya also says that they want to put a Nepalese feel t o the album and the band intends to come up with 8 hard hitting hip hop tracks that Nepalese can relate to.
Somewhere down the line, their pink cloud has truned gray at the edges, though. Sponsorship, as expected, matters a lot. Sonika's "Stir it up" has been shortened because it is an unsponsored show. Sameer admits that there is a lot of pressure on the station management to make money. He complains, "The whole problem in radio in Nepal is that there is no consensus as to which programme is most listened to and which one is doing well as long as they get sponsors." Quite naturally, it results into a certain feeling of having hit a plateau, deciding that one can't go further. Allegations also abound. Asis and Prasna were accused of bringing in moral deterioration into Nepalese society for hosting a date show. "Music Jam" was previously called "Music Love Jam" and it was an informal platform for boys and girls to meet. Prasan argues, "I have studied in Nepal and I have seen the unhealthy atmosphere that prevails in our schools. It is because we tend to isolate boys and girls from each other that boys develop the idea that girls are to be treated as sex objects. Because of this, there are crimes against women." Their show intended to bridge the gap in a light manner with a message that said "hey people of the opposite gender can be friends." Four months later, the Ministry of Information had it banned, the brothers were criticized and called "Matchmakers."
Notwithstanding the problems, the presenters have come across with some commendable work. On the "Electric Circus" Sameer has managed to have each and every band in Kathmandu as guests. Sarahana, it is said has fans of her show "I'd rather be" even in the city prisons. Sonika has been able to highlight taboo issues and shey says she will continue to do the same. Nirnaya, of course has made Kathmandu hip-hop-savvy. When asked about his achievement, he answers, "I have been able to make a lot of people were oversized pants!"
The valley ahs seen a rise in the number of FM stations and prospects in this field are booming big time. Overcrowding could mean that presentation are production of shows could decrease in quality but hat is just one possibility. More stations could also mean more competition, which inevitably means more effort on the part of each station. But in the meantime, perhaps, a little bit of appreciation is in order.
So the next time you are tuned in, if a presenter makes a faux pas on air or plays the wrong CD, notice it and criticize. At the same time, don't forget to notice that presenter has the chutzpah to laugh it off with disarming honesty and make the rest of the show as good as ever. Appreciate that. And don't touch that dial!

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August 1st, 2002, The HImalayan Times
Toast Your Pals

Today is the day to thank your friends for standing by you
Who is a friend? A friend is someone who knows your mind, who never leaves your heart even if they leave your life for a while. Even after year apart, you pick up with them where you left off and even if they die, they are never dead in your heart. The time to honour friends by celebrating Friendship Day has arrived. Today, August 1st, marks the International Friendship Day and August 3 marks the World Friendship Day. Friendships are worth celebrating everyday but they deserve a special day too.
Friendship Day means that we recognize our friend and the contribution they have made in our life. This is the day to reach out to friends to confess that we do care. Grishma, a Kathmanduite, states, "This is the best time to gather with the outs of touch friends."
Radio jockey Aashish feels, "Friend is a person who accompanies you not only in good days but in bad days as well and who shares everything with you…except girlfriend!" Nirnaya Shrestha, another RJ, says, "I can consider anyone as my friend, even if the person wrongs me." His definition of a friend is someone who understands him and his feeling without his declaring. Nirnaya adds, "Friendship day brings love, peace and harmony among people so it's worth celebrating. The world community should come together for such a purpose. We should not adopt racism, hatred for colour, cast, religion, etc. To develop as a whole, a person had to learn the good and reject the bad. And a fiesta like friendship day is alright." Aashish adds, "Even if the culture is adopted from the West, it doesn't matter after all we have imbibed something good.
Bright and breezy Anant Gurung from Xavier's School says "For me everyday is friendship day, it's not for one day, it's forever." Many like Kripa Gauchan from St. Mary's School feel that friendship day is the best time to clarify misunderstandings and occasions such as make life colourfu. Sushma Aley from White House, Grishma Gurung from Birendra Sainik, Priyanka Agrawal from Apex and Srijana Tandulkar from VS Niketan agree. Ankur Gurung from British School, however queries "I have no idea when is the friendship day. When is it?"
Priyanka, a Kathmanduite, says, "I feel good even when my friends criticize me because they are part of me so they know me better than anyone else and also it's from criticisms that we learn."
Friends need not be physically present to be caring, but mentally if you wish a friend well then I guess that's friendship," feels Nirnaya.
Talking of misunderstanding, Aashish elaborates, "The not-talking thing has never happened to me. There is communication gap but if I make friends." Nirnaya opines, "I have seen cases of friends not talking to each other but as fro me I believe in forgetting and forgiving. It would be foolish to live with a grievance. Live in harmony with each other. Nobody's seen any good come out of anger and hatred, it only brings destruction, so though it is human nature to get angry but we can always change that. So just live happily with everyone."
The best gifts we give ourselves are memories. Let us make this month memorial and dedicate this August to friends and friendship.
Lastly "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." Happy Friendship Day!

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Feb. 10th, 2002, sunday, Himalayan Times
A Slice OF Life
Neat Kid

Nirnaya, better known as Nirnaya da' naughty soul kid, loves an early morning. He wakes up at six if not seven and the very first thing he does is turns on the TV to CNN.
"I like to know what's happening and what's going on," he says, "Sometimes I also watch either MTV or MCM." He also read the newspaper.
He has three dogs, two of which eat and sleep with him. "The smaller ones are Pomerians named Ginger and Jockey and every morning I just lie on the bed with the TV on and fool around with them, " says the Kid. That's what everybody calls him.
After that, it's on the phone calling up friends and other people to see if he's missed out on anything. Then he irons clothes. That's about all the housework that he does. "I don't do much housework," he laughs trying hard to remember, "I just do the telling and somebody else does it.
Then he washes up and spends abound 15 to 20 minutes combing his hair to perfection. " It has be just perfect. I have this style that I know is different from anybody else's."
Then its back to that wonderful talking machine; the telephone, calling up clients and friends to check up on them 'to see what's up.'
Office time happens around then so he goes off to work where the first thing he does is surf the Net, check mails, chat, check up his own website and the website of his company sajilo.com. The naughty soul kid is the sophisticated office-goer then. He drops aside his rappin' accent and adopts the more formal language. "Often it slips out the and people don't understand so they say 'pardon me' and I repeat it without the jargon. It doesn't really matter," explains Nirnaya.
Most of his afternoons are occupied with phone calls, appointments, meetings and designing the website and updating it. Lunch is sometimes forgotten. He doesn't like to have breakfast so that's two meals gone but he doesn't mind. There's always dinner.
He likes to keep in shape; in the morning he works out, "I do 35 push-ups, 35 sit-ups and 35 something that looks like vertical push-ups," he explains.
He gets home around six or seven in the evening. Then too, the first thing he does is put on the TV to CNN, MTV or MCM. He watches it throughout while eating dinner, his two dogs on his sides. When they beg for it, he gives them some and eats some. Calling up people again takes the rest of his time. Then he sits down and makes a schedule for the next day.
On weekends and Fridays, he goes to his radio station where he takes off his jacket, puts on his cap and turns into Nirnaya da' naughty soul kid.
"If I had holidays, I wouldn't know what to do with myself," he states, "I'm busy, I like my life."

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Wave no 65, May 2001
Summer Vibes: In Aid of the old peoples home

……….Another disappointment besides not having raised as much fund, as expected, was the fact that Rappaz Union did not get a chance to perform due to technical difficulties

Rappaz Union Fo' Ya' All

Thank you for the information about Rappaz' Union (Nepal's first rap group) and their album review. Nowadays, many young people, like me, are getting interested in hip hop music. And all of us, rap music lover, are delighted with the work of Rappaz Union. With time, interests in music has changed and RU has taken a revolutionary step in doing something different. They have impressed us with their debut album, Fo' Ya' All- the voice, lyrics, music, everything. Other forms of media and radio stations should encourage such efforts and WAVE's ranking is truly appropriate. Personally, I feel they should now work on making a music video.
Dipesh Dulal

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On The Magazine--April 2002
Rappaz Union- Blazing a New Trail
-Rohit Pradhan

Hip hop in Ktm is hot, but lacks quality performers, right? WRONG! Meet Nirnaya and Samrat the two dudes who make up 'Rappaz Union', the kingdoms first hip hop band!
Nirnaya Shrestha was an RJ in K.A.T.H. who had just cut his first single when he met Samrat Khadka. Nirnaya a.k.a. da' naughty soul kid, was anchoring a programme called 'Bring da' house down' and had dreams of having his own band and bringing a lot of houses down with it. Samrat had just left (in rather memorable circumstances) St. Augustine's in Kalimpong and was checking the valley scene out. The two met, and almost instantly a partnership was forged. This meeting of two young talented minds resulted in the birth of 'Rappaz Union'. Later on the duo met Rinchin (now in Canada) and recorded 2 singles with him. They then also met the other auxiliary member of Rappaz Unoin- Josh Duncan who is now in USA. With Rinchin and Josh, Rappaz Union was complete and they recorded their first album called 'Fo' ya' all' was recorded in Sound Link and Kathmandu Digital Studios and released only as a limited edition CD. 'Fo' Ya' all' met with appreciation and acclaim from the audiences and Rappaz Union soon had a hard core following in Nepal. Gigs, promotions and increasing radio airplay followed. The band was featured by magazines and newaspapers and soon people started walking up to the presence of Rappaz Union in the Kingdom. Rappaz Union's second album 'Da' Game Mus' Go On' was a serious attempt at fusion and experimentation. At the same time "Da' Game" also struck with the basics of hip hop music and came across as a class presentation by a class act. For this album Nirnaya and Samrat has been approached by Robin & Looza for overall production. They agreed and 'Da Game Mus' Go On' hit big time with the backing of a label like Cding International. The distribution and marketing was taken by Tik n' Tok. "Da' Game Mus' Go On" peaked at #5 on the channel Nepal charts and #10 in the Himalayan Times lists. This album was a brave attempt to infuse experimental sounds into conventional rap. In the single "Death da' Truth," Rappaz Union infused hip hop vocals with a heavy metal sound and the end result sounds creditable. On the other singles Rappaz come across as energetic at some times, introspective at others, boisterous at sometimes and almost staid at other times. 'Da' Game Mus' Go On' is a collage of unforgettable sounds and attitudes and ON recommends it to any hip hop fan in the Kingdom and outside.
With fame, for 'Rappaz' Union', has also come adversity. Many radio stations refuse to air their songs due to the lyrics being entirely in English. Hip hop has a very negative image in Nepal especially among the middle aged and older generation and it is a kind of music totally removed from the laid back character of the Nepali. It is difficult to make living only from music in Nepal and both these talented lads have to hold down jobs to survive. Despite all these difficulties Nirnaya and Samrat are confident that they will endure and grow. ON- The Magazine wishes them the best.

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Wave 53, May 2000
Sparks fly as the new Nepali year is celebrated

To commemorate the wake of the Nepali new year, hotel Radisson organized a party at the Nepa Dhuku hall. They wanted a live band and auditions went underway and the selected few were Shakil (vocals) Kashish (vocals/rhythm guitars), Nirnaya (vocals), Axata (vocals), Samir (lead guitar), Pranab (bass) and Aashish (drums). The first set consisted of light stuff. Shakil started with Knockin' On Heaven's Door followed by Nirnaya's Missing you. The second set had more rock songs. It kicked off with Walk This Way with Shakil doing stuff like reggae and hard rock (Doors, Aerosmith, Smash Mouth, Rolling Stones). Then Kashish took center stage with Sunshine of Your Luv (cream), Jailhouse rock and then Naughty Soul Kid a.k.a. Nirnaya comes back with some hip hop. Axata sang a duet on the band's composition Bring Da' House Down (check out Wave CD-Instant Grip Vol. 4) and Run And Hide. The band performed a little fusion of La Bamba and Twist n' Shout with quite a few improvisations, which got the crowd moving and grooving. The piece also had an on the spot instumental piece keeping Santana's Oye Como Va as the main theme.
Overall the performance went good without any sound or technical problem, which is pretty commendable because most shows in the valley face the two aforementioned problems, most of the time, if not all the time.

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Wave 73 January, 2002
GAA Concet

The stage was set for a day of some rocking fun at the GAA on the 1st December. Organized by Kamana Singh, Alec Sciamma, Megha Hamal, and Archita Pant, the concert was a fundraiser for the Sanskrit Tindhara Pathshala. The concert had a host of upcoming amateur artists such as Brothers In Arms and Ozzo Bozzo amongst others. The featured band of the evening was 1974 AD. All the bands put up a good show, and the performance showed that these new bands are less stage shy, as there was plenty of jumping and head banging on the stage. In face, while Albatorss was performing, Siris couldn't control the musical energy running through him so much that the man manhandled mic stand was taken offstage by a member of the company that provided the sound system and also at one point Siris was wrapped up in the mic's jack. But that ddn't stop him from putting up a good show while covering artists such as Alice in Chain and later performing their own (latest) single Hell's Kitchen. Although it looked like Albatross had lost touch with it's musical side, this performance was a sign that they are getting back into the scene and getting better at it. Another notable performance was that of Money Temple, who has become popular with their first single Stoned at 9:20. Rappaz Union also performed some new singles from their upcoming album was one their members Chaz Capone was missing in action. They were the only group that performed music other than rock. Ozzo Bozzo als performed a few singles from their upcoming album.
The music was good, the turn out was fairly good (with majority of female audience) , and the concert was held for a good cause.

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Himalayan Times, Aug 15th, 2002, Thursday
Golden Voices

So, you think you can hold listeners riveted? Fancy yourself as an RJ? Read on to find out how to pursue a vocation in this field.-Dipti Sherchan

The simplest definition of a Radio Jockey (RJ in short) is a person who hosts shows on radio and entertains people with music and information. An RJ's voice reaches out to you on your dinner table, in your bed, while traveling and even in the bathroom. Teenagers exchange notes on their favorite programmes regularly.
Today, the RJ has triumphed over television, as the radio does not interfere with what one is doing, unlike the TV.
With it's growing popularity it has also inspired many to pursue a career in radio jockeying.

So how and where do you start?
RJ Aashish and Prasan advise, "As a profession you can survive here. But taking of ourselves we take our career not as job but as a passion. We have been here for the past four and a half years and we are enjoying every moment of our show. It's like a 'nasha' (addiction), we have never been pressurized and we are her like a good old family. But what you really need is good voice, spontaneity, expressive voice and a good vocabulary."
Mahima P Bhattari, another RJ voices, "If you want your creativity to reach out to people then radio is a good media. Some knowledge is a must but it's all got to do with creativity and you can even make it into a full-time career but perseverance, patience, creativity, clarity and simplicity is a must. All types of work take time but you need to have patience and since I enjoy what I am doing it has never been pressure.
RJ Chirag Bangdel equips, "Mass media is growing each day so one can definitely make a living working as an RJ but you need to be a source of information and also an entertainer. But the foremost thing you need is to have the passion."
RJ Arpan feels, "If you want to make Radio Jockey into a full time career go for it! Imagine your strength and find the apt advice that's blowing in the wind and trust your instincts. Once you are in there's no looking back but in case you are in part-time you need to take other jobs too and if you do what you want to do nad love what you do there's no pressure but you really need to have good and a very clear voice great selection of music and script and above all you should stick to your dream."

SO does it pay to be an RJ?
He elaborates, "If you are thinking of remuneration then its okay but if you want to get paid well you have to be in demand and for that you have to be good and again for that you have to work hard but the key thing to become a successful RJ is you need to have that passion for your work, education, humour, good sense of music and the way you carry yourself."
Nirnaya, another RJ, adds, "Radio jockeying is just my part-time work but seeing the salary slip I can safely say that one can make it a full-time career but before doing so you need hard work and dedication but side by side you also need to be unique, spontaneous need to have soothing voice and you should be able to mingle with the crowd and you need to have patience. You should take the work as play and enjoy, then the pressure is subsided. And I too do that!"

What about training?
RJ Arpita Nepal says, "To come up with quality presentations training is a must as it puts the finishing touch to any professional but more than money in this profession there are other forms of remuneration which are more satisfying, it's the love and support of the listeners and it really counts, doesn't it? And the work I am doing relaxes me and leaves me as fresh as ever!"
Being influenced by a certain style, many dream of hosting programmes but are baffled when it comes to training and education as such. Kahsi Nath Dawadi one of the mentors of Global Media Service informs, "In a year we have two training sessions which takes place for two months and we choose 16 candidates out of many who have come to enroll one the basis of an interview. We train them in Radio Programme Production Course and when the training is over the trainee comes out to face the world of radio jocking.
Another RJ Angel Gurung says "talent is what this field is all about but you need to be qualified, that's the added bonus and one needs to have good knowledge of music of music. It's a must!"
In Kantipur FM (96.1) also there is an in-house training facility. Gopal Jha, station manager, informs that they publish a vacancy for the training and the interview tests a candidate up to three rounds and only if they pass in the fourth do they train. He says, "We don't select the trainees on the basis of their bio-data but by talent."
Bangdel is of the opinion that everybody can be a good radio jockey but the question is how good? Media persons definitely need to be educated but there is no such thing as how much? But more than education, one needs to be well-informed, gusty, candid and sense of humour are essential in this field.
Aashish and Prasan however are of a different opinion, "technically speaking one does need training, courses and qualification to be a radio jockey but in the long run it's talent that counts. It's good if you get the certificate but it's the talent that works wonders.
Nirnaya also agrees with Aashish and Prasan but adds "People should also know what you can and can't do on the radio and training guides you in deciding that and your qualification is need to give listeners the best entertainment as well as information."
Arpan clarifies, "specific training, qualification or courses are worth it but it's not a compulsion."
All the RJ's that we spoke with revealed their eagerness to guide rookies. If you think you have it in you, give it a try. In the beginning certainly there will be hindrances, but believe in your dream and face the challenge. Above all, always 'be yourself'.

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Himalayan Times, Oct. 18th, 2002, Friday
Da' Rappaz Go On
-Dipti Sherchan

Meet the first rap band of Nepal with our reporter. Find out how it all began.
Nirnaya Shrestha, Samrat Khadka, Rinchin and Josh Duncan better known as Nirnaya da' Naughty Soul Kid, Sammy Samrat, Richie Rich Rinchin and Caoz Capone respectively form the Rappaz Union. The first rap band of Nepal.
Rappaz Union created history in the music sector of Nepal by introducing "Hip-Hop" numbers. People used to see and enjoy rap songs played in music channels but none of the artists dared to experiment with the possibilities of rap in Nepal. One fine day in 2000 a group of four boys s4et out to be an inspiration to many like them, they set an example to do new things and introduced "Rap Songs" to Nepalis and become the pioneer of rap singers in Nepal. Sammy says,"Essence of a good rap singer is that you need to have feelings and you should be able to put those feelings in words and be able to express them."
The band members were unknown to each other but fate meant to rectify that error soon. Before Rappaz Union was formed Ninryaa Da' Naughty Soul Kid already had his first single released "Bring Da' House Down", which was a big hit on FM stations. Sammy approached Nirnaya, who was a radio jockey, with his rap song "Live Today" and it was aired without any fuss by Nirnaya, who said: "Anything for upcoming rap artists." Then the journey started. Soon both jammed together and released their first single together "Ji-Li-Li". Sounds bit awakward but the song indeed made everyone croon "Ji-Li-Li". The title does not have any meaning yet the sound of the words "Ji-Li-Li" struck the right chord.
Then the two met Rinchin and after that they named their group "Rappaz Union". Why this title? Nirnaya elaborates, "We have come from different places, from different backgrounds but we are bound together because of the same taste in rap that is why we named our team Rappaz Union."
Soon they released their first single together "Pretty Gurl". Do their rapping bear meaning? Both Sammy and Nirnaya add smiling, "Our songs have meaning attached to them and if you listen carefully you will get the message." After the release of "Pretty Gurl", "Some Say" was released but something was missing in the band. They were awaiting Josh's arrival! So, when he came he filled the gap and then they set to rapping together.
Soon they released their single together "Story of our livez" and the recent number to be released was "Dat' Sumthin'. On December 23, 2000 they released their first and Nepal's first hip-hop album "Fo' Ya' All". It surely was a big hit and people responded well as some quoted it "Event of the Millennium". Their second alubm is called "da' game mus' go on" and nowadays they are busy in the making of their third album, which, they promise will be different because we will be able to hear songs not only in Nepali, but in Newari, Maithili and Tibetan. Sounds different indeed!
Sajen Pradhan, student in Gyanodaya College, feels, "Rappaz Union are the unique band in Nepal and they are good." Sunny Manandhar, one of the owners of Station Pub in Thamel says, "They have started something new in the country which is praiseworthy. Nepalis are new to their numbers because they have only list3ened and seen westerners' sing in that tune but slowly they will do good business here as well. It will take time but the wait will be fruitful."
Till date they have done 50 concerts and two solo concerts. Sammy Samrat defines music as part of his life whereas Nirnaya feels that "it is the path to express myself".
Besides deep passion for their career in singing Nirnaya is Radio Jockey in KATH 97.9 fm, runs sajilo.com with his friend and has already completed his B.Sc In Computer Science from Campion College. He likes to collect anything under the sun that is interesting. Sammy is doing his Bachelor's first year in Nepal Commerce of Management. He likes singing, relaxing at home and partying. Richie Rich is now in Canada and Caoz Capone in California.
"Rappaz Union" have name and fame but dey declare dey lack something---a lady band manager. Why a lady? Nirnaya and Sammy opine, "Ladies can handle business very well."
Any lady outdere willin'?

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Himalayan Times, Nov. 4th, 2002, Monday
Thrilling, Igniting, Happy, Awesome, Revelry

Most of the time in the year Nirnaya of Rappaz Union is quite engrossed in his work but festivals give him a chance to stay home and spend quality time with his family. He loves being with them lighting candles, watching people who come for 'deusi', at the same time he likes to drive around town to see how the city looks all decked up.
"I celebrate this festival In a traditional manner," says the 'naughty soul kid'. Mother Neelam Shrestha happily adds, "He helps me in lighting the 'diyos' and whenever I ask him to do something he is there." She smiles as she shares, "Nirnaya simply loves 'sel roti' which he dips in chilli pickle but he hates guava as he is a bit lazy to wash and have it. Only when I clean and give it to him he loves it." Sounds like he is not lazy but a sly fox!
Nirnaya figures that "festivals such as Tihar were created by our forefathers to bring the family together at least once a year, right?" And his mother happily announces that her son is a responsible one.

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WAVE Magazine, no 84, December 2002

And The Winner Is
The list of contenders for the "Best Song In A Foreign Language" category appearing in the nomination form released by Hits Fm 91.2 for the Close-Up Hits FM Music Award 2059 was:-
1. Abhimanu Pokhrel- Accoustic Feeling
2. The Steel Wheels- Something in Between
3. Dimple- My Love Belongs To You
4. Pravin Rimal- Song of Nepal
5. X-it_ Crusin'
6. Rappaz Union- Da' Game Mus' Go On

The list of nominees announced for the same category is:-
1. 1974 AD
2. The Steel Wheels
3. Pravin Rimal
4. X-It
5. Dimple

How has 1974 AD been nominated? If the people had to vote among the list provided in the nomination form, how could they have voted for 1974 AD when they were not in the list? Hits FM sources say that any track from an album listed in the "Best Album" category is eligible for nomination in any other category. If so, why was it not specified in the nomination form along with other rules? And why shortlist singles in the other categories if people could choose from the albums in the "Best Album" category?
It is an error, intentionally or otherwise. The artists are concerned and fear that confusions like would marr the already established image of the Award. This is the only award in its genre.

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cybernepal.com.np - June 21st 2006

World Cup and our Celebs

By Sampada Malla and Aabiskar Shrestha

Right now, the World Cup fever is ruling our mind and heart. So much are people excited about it that they have even started managing their schedules accordingly. Some have even made a bet with their friends about the winning of a certain team. So, how much has this excitement influenced our celebrities' lives? Are they really into World Cup? Who is their favorite team? Just scroll below to know their football tastes.

Updated on June 21, 2006

Nirnaya Shrestha (Hip-hop Singer)

Favorite team?
Brazil because my favorite players are in that team. Brazil's players are like magicians with the ball.

Favorite player?
Ronaldo because he's just great and recently Robinho because he is very young but talented.

How much time are you devoting to watch World Cup?
A lot. I had promised myself that I won't let it hamper my work but somehow I have been watching every single match until now. I just can't miss it. About work, I am trying to incorporate the World Cup with my F.M shows.

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July fursad.com 2006

"...MORE OF NSK STYLEZ COMIN' UP SOON." -- NSK
Dipti Sherchan
dipti@fursad.com

There used to be a time when hip-hop and the rap music were looked at with disdain. There were few of them who listened to this genre of music and even few who dared to carry themselves off and seriously work on it. With time, hip-hop and rap numbers have been accepted by many and have been an accepted standard with quality albums being produced lately.

Around 1994, Girish Kathiwada and Pranil Timilisina introduced a complete rap number for the first time in the Music Industry of Nepal. In December 1998, Nirnaya Shrestha 'NSK' came in to the scene. The same year, NSK started his career as a radio jockey and during this time with his former band 'Nirnaya & Da'Allstarz' they recorded their first single "Bring Da' House Down", which was a huge success. Since then, there has been no looking back. Comments and compliments are part and parcel in this field and NSK has been doing his best with his music. No wonder, he is a name which these days is synonymous with 'Nepali Rap'. Following is an interview with NSK at his exclusive candid best.

From Fo' Ya' All' to 'Ma Nepali - NSK Style' do you think you have grown as a singer?

Yeap...definetely! Before, I waz' only targeting a certain age group or certain portion of the country but now I focus on the whole nation n' that has made mi grow as a singer. Musically, lyrically, composition wise...I have grown in all sections. The less u want to get into this game, the deeper you get. Vocally u want to experiment, lyrically u again want to experiment, musically u want to experiment, so u r in an exploration which definitely makes u grow. Because growing is all about learnin' n' that's what I've been doin' for the past so many years.

The rumor doing the rounds is that as you are too good to be true! There are many organizers who tend to be too clever and don't give you the promised sum after you are done with their shows. Any clarifications?

Well, that has happened in the past. At that time, I took music as a hobby but now I've taken it more seriously. I have a habit of putting myself on other peoples shoes and seeing how it would be if I was in their shoes. Then I would be like...all right, the program didn't go well, the money must have been lost, etc, etc so that is the reason he doesn't have the money to pay, so forget it. But this habit is not good in this game because u tend to get ripped off and taken for granted. So, nowadayz, I do very selected programs and have a manager to manage my music side.

You are also one of those singers who chooses to do loads of charity programs? Any particular reason?

I guess I've done more charity programs than commercial programs. The reason is I feel for the ones in need n' if I can help get them something by doing a program why not. It makes u feel good to see others smile. Like I told u, I have a habit of putting myself in others shoez. so, I feel and see the pain the ones in need have. There used to be a time when I would do two charity shows a day but again nowadayz I've started doin' very selected programs because there have been so many charityz, yet the people who were suppose to get help, nothing has happened to them, only the organizers have benefited. Nowadays if it's a charitable function instead of doing a show for free, I take the sum and give the sum to the charity myself. This way I know the moneys going in the right hands.

There was this talk regarding you planning to open a Music Recording Studio. Were you serious about it or was it said just for the sake of saying something?

Actually mi n' my friend were planning to open a music company. The company is registered, the website was registered. everything was done then all of a sudden the country took a different turn at that time. So, we decided it was not a good idea at that time to start a venture. Maybe if the situation of the country becomes good I'd love to produce new artists because I've also had two new beginning as a new artist, one as Rappaz Union then again I had to start all over as Nirnaya da' NSK for 'Ma Nepali'. So, to make life easy for a new artist, I'd have the music company in my head for the future.

How has life changed after marriage? Are you still the 'NSK' we have known! Or has it been a u-turn in your life?

I'm still the same old NSK. But now, time management has to be looked into more carefully because I have a family at home, wife, family, music, radio, etc, etc. I still hang around with frens, still shop at the same stores, still record in the same studio, still have the same arranger, still sip mint tea at the same place, etc, etc.

As of now, how would you define yourself?

I'm a very simple person whoz alwayz willing to help anyone anytime, forgive and forget kindda' person, but a person who hates backbiterz. My lifez an open book, u can read it at www.nirnaya.com.np . So, it would be better for otherz to define mi rather then mi definin' myself. I am da' NSK for me.

When can your well-wishers and your numerous fans get to hear from your second solo album?

Well, very soon, within a month u'll be gettin' a surprise package from da' NSK. Again another of the NSK stylez comin' up soon. Album will be out within' three to four monthz. About the music it's still NSK style. The album will be the voice of my well wishez.

Fact is also that you helped many famous rap and hip-hop singers to frame their career during their initial days in the Music Industry of Nepal and still when they need your assistance, you are there for them think and thin. How about them? Do they...all of them still in contact or have they started acting pricey once they have achieved stardom?

It's my habit to help others and that's what I do and will be doing. Most of the people whom I've helped still are in touch with me but a very few u can count them in one hand sometimez do act a little pricey, no names here. But I still do what I do. I believe u do good and definitely good comez to u. No hard feelings.
For now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of 'Ma Nepali -NSK Style' and people who were with me during 'Ma Nepali - Nirnaya da' NSK on tour 2005' from the bottom of my heart. It was an experience which shall never be forgotten.

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Celebs on New Year and Country

-by Sampada Malla

Updated on Monday, April 24, 2006

“Did you too, O friend, suppose democracy was only for elections, for politics, and for party name? I say democracy is only for use there that it may pass on and come to its flower and manners, in the highest form of interactions between people and their beliefs-in religion, literature, colleges and schools-democracy in all public and private life….” –Walt Whitman
This New Year has been a different experience for every Nepali living inside and outside the borders of Nepal. If the insiders are welcoming their new year amid the day by day uprising public protests organized by the major political parties of Nepal, people outside Nepal are also suffering through immense mental conflicts to visualize their country in such an anarchical and chaotic situation.

At this time of major crisis, our national new year has not brought the same amount of happiness, excitement and enthusiasm as the past years previously did. ‘May peace prevail in our country soon’ –This New Year, everyone’s voices seem to be the same. When we asked couple of our celebrities about their New Year plans and resolutions, not many seemed enthusiastic and we exactly knew the reason why. We also asked them about their views on the current public protests and each of them had a different thing to say.

Read Nirnaya's Profile
Nirnaya Shrestha (Singer)

On New Year Celebrations:
This new year, we had a family get together. Nothing much happened.

On New Year Resolutions:
Though making resolutions is a hip trend, I do not have much belief in this trend. So this new year as always, I have no resolutions.

On present public protest:
Our country already has innumerable unsolved problems. In this pathetic situation, I do not think it is right to conduct such a violent kind of public protest. This has only added to our problems with regular curfews, 'bandhs', mobile disconnections etc. This protest has also damaged our country's valuable infrastructures. Peace and freedom can not be achieved through such violent activities. Ultimately, we, the public are the sufferers.

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fursad.com

IS NAUGHTY SOUL KID BORED??
According to our very own Tupac, Nirnaya Da NSK these days, has had enough of his monotonous life.. He wants to try something different and we are not talking about his music here . The 29 year old rapper intends to revive his passion for business studies which he was always interested in, but due to unavoidable circumstances his academic career came to an abrupt end after +2 ( Campion Academy) but did manage to complete his bachelors in computer science from Campion Collage. Now he’s in the process of joining the University of Business and Finance, Switzerland which commences later this year. He says it would be very interesting to learn about the international management scenario. No doubt about it! Our best wishes are with him. We take this opportunity to congratulate him for his first Marriage Anniversary which is on May 4th. In another related news, rumours have it that a company had contacted Nirnaya to produce and market the “NSK” locket that he wears. Wow!!!!

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July 24th, south asian media network

Singers’ bid to save Bagmati
Sunday, July 24,2005
KATHMANDU: Singers and music bands, namely Maushami Gurung, Nirnaya Shrestha, Abhaya and the Steam Injuns performed live music on the premises of the Kalimochan temple on the Bagmati riverbank today, urging the locals to “save Bagmati” from pollution. The show is a part of the ongoing Bagmati River Festival organised by the Nepal River Conservation Trust. “We want to raise awareness among people on the plight of the Bagmati through music and urge them to do something about it,” said Raman Bhattarai, the coordinator of the event. Mountaineer Temba Chhiri Sherpa called on all concerned to save the Bagmati.

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This News was Posted on: 2005-07-21 20:04:00
You are reading: The Kathmandu Post >> City Post
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Star-studded Charity Fund-raising Concert

- Prabasi Bedanaka Awaazharu, a charity based in the United Kingdom, is organizing the Sawan Charity Concert 2005. It is scheduled for August 13 at the Birendra International Convention Centre as a fund-raising musical program for the construction of the Khaani Daada Airport in Khotang district. The construction started last June and the organizers are hoping to have it finished before Dashain this year. The Sawan Charity Live Concert 2005 will have the support of 20 popular Nepali musicians such as Nima Rumba, Raju Lama, Nirnaya, Preeti Kaur, Maushami Gurung, Prashanna Shakya, Dhiraj Rai, Kranti Ale and many more performers. The organizers are expecting a large turnout, and security arrangements will be in place to prevent any untoward incidents as in past concerts

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WAVE KICKED OFF!

'WAVE KICK OFF' organized by Wave magazine and supported by fursad.com concluded on June 24 at the Dasrath Stadium. The friendly match took place between some well known Nepali celebrities and media persons. The turn out were not as much as initially anticipated but those who made it to the stadium had a great time. Part of the proceeds collected from the event will be donated to Mayadevi Orphanage in Rupandehi and that in itself was worth the reason for their presence.

Though the players from both the teams were at their best, it was Team Media that who won the game with an amazing score line of 7-4. For Team Media, the goal scorers were Sonam Lama, Uttam, Yopesh Pradhan, (3 goals, Hatrick), Pasang Lama and Prashant Joshi. Yopesh played eextremely well and had 3 goals to show for. For the celebrities team the players who were able to hit the net were Yogeshwor Amatya (2 goals), Oz Shrestha and Babu Bogati. Yogeshwor Amatya was a delight to watch with his fabulous dribbling skills and darting runs into the opposition goal mouth!

The Exclusive All Star Party after the match in the premises of Himal Media was also a occasion of its kind. We will update you with the exact donation amount later. For now, here are the the players name who were able to bag certain titles and win home prizes!

FULBARI MAN OF THE MATCH: Yogeshwar Amatya
Wins two nights three days with breakfast at Fulbari Resort and Spa in Pokhara. One year subscriptions of WAVE magazine, Himal Khabarpatrika and Nepali Times.

INNOVA8 WOMEN OF THE MATCH: Tie between Sangya Singh and Komal Oli
Wins a gift hamper from Innova8 Boutique and Saturday lunch for two at Tea House, Nagarkot. One year subscriptions of WAVE magazine, Himal Khabarpatrika, Nepali Times and VOW.

CLUB HIMALAYA HIGHEST SCORE: Yopesh Pradhan (with 3 goals)
Wins Chiso Chiso Hawama Package (two days one night stay at Club Himalaya, with bed & breakfast for two people). Also, one year subscriptions to WAVE, Himal Khabarpatrika and Nepali Times.

SPORT SPIRIT OF THE GAME: Anup Prakash
Wins free tickets to watch the World Cup Final Match at Sports Bar, Putali Sadak. One year subscriptions to WAVE, Himal Khabarpatrika, Nepali Times, and BOSS magazine.

UFO MOST STYLISH PLAYER: Suhrid Jyoti
Wins a gift hamper from UFO the Clothing Store and free tickets to watch the World Cup Final Match at Le Meridien in Gokarna. One year subscriptions to VOW, BOSS, Himal Khabarpatrika, Nepali Times and WAVE magazine.

TOP 5 FURSAD PLAYERS OF THE DAY:
Samjhana Rauniar, Richa Sharma, Jems Pradhan, Rakesh Shrestha of Madzone and Nirnaya da NSK

Wins a T-shirt each from Fursad.com and subscriptions to WAVE for a year, Himal Khabarpatrika for six months and Nepali Times for three months.

WAVE SPECIAL AWARD: Sudin Pokharel
For support, encouragement and participation towards all players and the event. For being at all practice sessions even though he couldn't play.

WAVE Special Award: UFO the Clothing Store
WAVE Kick Off Cup's main sponsor, who has supported the magazine these 12 years through thick and thin.

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butwalcity.com

School of Fashion and Technology (SAFT) organised SUMMER COLLECTION 2006 Fashion Show with some Exciting RAP MA NEPALI and other performnace of Nirnaya Shrestha and dance performances by X-Zone at Butwal. The show was venued at Kanti Shabhagriha.

Models: Mala, Jain, Angee, Gita, Ashmita, Mandisha, Sharmila, Ankita, Gita B.K., Sangita, Shipa, Riya, Kalpana and male models did walk on ramd to show the dress designed by the students of the SAFT.
Show was devided into different rounds.

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Not - So - Naugty Soul Kid
Kathmandu Post - City Gossip May 05th, 07

Not-so-Naughty Soul Kid
Our very own rapper Nirnaya Shrestha, aka Nirnaya Da NSK, may call himself the Naughty Soul Kid. But he doesn't really appear to be so naughty after all, does he? Instead, he's proving to be quite a generous soul with his social activities.

Well, folks, the rapper indeed seems to be on a patriotic mode and in a matching charitable mood these days. Sometime back, he had done an educational tour with Nava Dailo to help distribute books, stationery and clothes to students at various places.

Now, he's even named his new album Mechi Dekhi Mahakali. And what's more, he's also decided to donate the proceeds from the album's sales to the social welfare activities of Nava Dailo.

Well done Nirnaya, and keep on going. Your loyal fans may well have an extra reason to like you if you continue to be associated with such noble works.

Posted on: 2007-05-04 23:34:35 (Server Time)

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‘Mechi Deki…’ Prasna Shakya & Nirnaya Da NSK
[fursad.com: 23 Feb 2007]

Singer Prashna Shakya and Nirnaya Da NSK were seen busy shooting for their music video on the bandh day called upon by the Janajati Sangh last week. The song created by the famed Nepali hip hop singer Nirnaya for his new album was entirely shot on the particular day.

The duo explains that since their song “Mechi Deki…” is focused on the realism and practicality of the current situation in Nepal, they found it suitable to shoot their music video on a bandh day. They shot their music video with just one cameraman, one spot boy and the two singers, whereas the presences of other models were not seen at the shooting spot.

“To bring forward the real incidents, rally, riots and stampedes which occur during a typical ‘Nepal Bandh Day’, the video was shot on the particular day.” explains singer Prashna. She also states that because of Nirnaya’s scheduled program in Hong Kong, the music video has been delayed for release.

Prashna is currently busy working for the music video of a collection album by DJ Yuva too. She was previously engaged with DJ Yuva’s ‘Speed’ in which she sang a duet song with singer Khemraj Gurung titled “Jamra Jo”. She herself was seen on it as one of the models too. The direction of the video was done by Nimesh and was shot at Chauni and Thamel. Singer Khemraj Gurung, Prashna Shakya, DJ Yuva and young aspiring model Sarina were featured in the video.

Prashna is also occupied these days working on her solo album for which she has already completed the composition of all songs and has plans to release the album in the coming Nepali New Year.

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Nirnaya Da ‘NSK’ 2nd Solo Album
[fursad.com : 20 Mar 2007]

By nature, Nirnaya Da ‘NSK’ prefers doing his work away from the media glare; be it his music or the numerous social activities that he often undertakes. The gentleman and down-to-earth person that he is, it isn’t a surprise if he over the years has become a personal favorite of many.

However, not having heard from him for a long time we decided to get hold of him. And only then he informs us that he has been busy in the making of his second solo album, which he plans to release within a month’s time though the music company has still not been finalized. He says, “We are done with the recording and as of now we are in the final process of mixing. There will be altogether eight tracks on it and each of the numbers has the typical NSK flavor!” The work concerning this venture has been done at Platinum Studio, Sundhara.

Giving us more details on this album, he mentions that there is this one party song which goes on for about ten minutes. On the other hand, another number preaches about the values of education and in this very song each sentence ends with an ‘ing’. Besides this, he has already aired a song titled “Leka Dekhi Besi Samma” featuring Prasna Sakya from this very album and has shot a music video of the same track. “We did the shooting during the last Nepal Bandha and the music video will be released very shortly,” mentions NSK. This video has been directed by NSK with the help of cameraman Amrit Sunwar. Besides featuring Prasna, this album also features Mandabi Tripathi, a debutant singer Mary and about eight new aspiring rappers.

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Naughty Soul Kid doing mature works
- By Preity-cybernepal.com.np

NSK is recently involved with a social organization "Navadailo" founded by Dr. Roshan Jha, Gokul Subedi, Nabin Karki and NSK. They have been operating different projects in which one of them is related to HIV/ AIDS awareness and the other one is NSK'S educational tour.

Started on December, 2006, the NSK has lately taken a short break from the books distribution of the educational tour.

NSK says that, "The books and other materials that we'd collected have now finished and now we are planning to take this tour in some other places where we can collect the books from the cities and distribute them to the nearby remote places. I will continue with this work after I am done with my upcoming album."

Yes, you've heard it right! NSK is also coming out with a brand new record and this time, the basic theme of his album will be the country. Still, the songs revolve round different topics particularly education, country, love and life.
One of the songs is "Din Pani Bityo – Part 3", which is sung by NSK and Mandavi Tripati. "Din Pani Bityo" was about the lovers being apart from each other and in the Part- 2, "Gaunle Jeevan" they had already departed and now it's time for them to meet and that's what it's all about!

Another important feature of NSK's new album is that, there's a 10 minutes long song and he says that, "Seven rappers are featuring in the album." The record is at a mixing phase.

NSK is recently done with a music video of the song "Lek Dekhi Besi Samma" from the same album.

Always known as a kid, NSK says he is always young at heart and that's what keeps him going so, NSK. But shouldn't it be, "Naughty Soul Young Man" instead of "Kid"? That will make him…. "NSYM"!

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Nirnaya's Bounce: A new trend of single song begins
Courtesy: cybernepal.com.np

Tuesday , August 15-Nirnaya Shrestha, popularly known as rapper NSK today released his solo album named, "bounce da' single". The distinctive feature of this album is that the same song is featured in four different versions. This song was also in Nirnaya's previous album, "Ma Nepali". The first track contains the original version of the song. The second track is a remix version with the use of dholak (an eastern instrument usually found in Nepal's terai region). The third track is a sound version while the fourth track features the music video of the song. The song features Nirnaya, Preeti Kaur and Kunsang.

"This trend is very popular in the western countries. In Nepal, I decided to initiate this concept because our market is small but very competitive. For a debut singer, it is very difficult to take out an entire album with different songs, considering the heavy expenditures. So, the emerging singer can first release his album with a single song. Through this song, he can well study the listener's responses. After that, he can move forward on producing a wholesome album." explains Nirnaya. "This trend will also make it easier for the debut artists to gain trust from the music companies because the single song will showcase his potentiality. Otherwise, a newcomer has to struggle a lot to win the trust of music companies." The price of the album will be less than the usual album, so Nirnaya believes that this trend will also decrease the level of piracy. His CD album can be purchased in NRs. 55.

So, what is the song all about? Is it like the usual Nirnaya typed love songs? "Kind of. It's a club song where the guy is requesting his girlfriend to dance with him. I think this song will soon capture the Nepali discotheques." his words trail with confidence. Well, we hope so too, Nirnaya!

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OUT OF THE ORDINARY... NSK STYLE
Courtesy: fursad.com

Nirnaya Shrestha 'NSK' released a CD with just one single, the first one of it's kind in the history of the Music Industry of Nepal-- 'Bounce 'Da Single' on August 15 at Club Page 3. 'Bounce 'Da Single' is produced and marketed by De Kumari Muzic Lounge and is distributed by SAV. "Bounce" also features Preeti Kaur and Kunchhang. The music-video of this number is directed by Pranav Joshi and the post production has been taken care of by NR Production.

'Bounce 'Da Single' features the original and the remixed version of the track "Bounce" along with a music video and a music track of the same name. The original version of "Bounce" was included in NSK's previous album 'Ma Nepali - NSK Style'. This CD is priced at Rs 55. and not Rs 50 as reported by us earlier. Reasons NSK, "The main reason for increasing its value is because first of all, the step to take out a single is very risky. So far, no one has come up with this kind of a venture. To be honest, I am not looking for any profit here. Another reason, to go ahead with this idea is also because we hope to create a revolution in the Music Industry." He cares to add, "Now onwards, any new artist, before releasing an album has a choice of taking out a single first. This way they are going to benefit because to cut just a single, not much money is required as compared to taking out an album. The outcome of which is they are saving money and if their single makes it, music companies will come after them, they don't have to go after the music companies!" Point taken! Is there anyone reading this?

Some of the limited edition of 'Bounce 'Da Single' the cover of which is designed by NSK himself, carries his autograph as well. Along with the release of his single, Prem Rana Autari's instrumental and fusion album were also highlighted. The names of the album are -- 'Peaceful Meditation', 'My Village Folk Tune', 'Waves of Happiness' and 'Nateshwor Devotional Songs - Dancing Shiva'. All were released under the banner of De Kumari Muzic Lounge. All said and done, we wish the best for NSK and his new album.

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