Nepalese Musician and Folk Singer Ram Thapa is No More

Kathmandu, November 20, 2008- Veteran Nepalese musician and folk singer Ram Thapa, 50, breathed his last early today while under treatment in Nervic Hospital, Thapathali-Kathmandu, according to a close source.

Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar, widely known as Ram Thapa in the music sector, was suffering from liver problems for many years. Thapa is survived by his wife.

Tara Thapa, a singer and a close friend of deceased said she had met him four months ago when he was hospitalized in Everest Hospital as his jaundice worsened, damaging his liver and lungs.

Ram Thapa, whose great grandparents were originally from Gorkha, was born in Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu on 2nd Bhadra 2015 B.S.

He began his musical journey by joining “Bhairav Dance Group” in 2026 B.S as a dancer, musician and singer. He won public attention for his recording of “Hai hai … bankali mai” with Tara Thapa in 2031 B.S.

Singer and musician Ram Thapa was especially known for singing ‘jesting’ songs such as “Katar katarma…timro jwai aayo motorma”, “Relai ghumera baini ko gayo aadi umera…” while also being appreciated for his music in such popular songs as “Rhituharuma timi…” sung by Arun Thapa, “Thamera kina Chhodeu haatharu…” sung by Sunita Subba, “Juni junilaai, meri oonilai…” by Rabin Sharma.

Thapa sang and composed music for more than 300 songs and released 42 albums. His first album was “Ram Thapa ka Lokgeetharu”, released by Music Nepal in 2042 B.S. His latest album “Katar katarma” was released last year.

He was working at Radio Nepal as the Senior Music Officer in the music department.
Thapa received many awards including ‘Chhinnalata Puraskar’ in 2059 B.S. and an award from Naraya Gopal Youth Music Trust in 2050 B.S.

He will be given his last farewell at Pashupati Aryaghat by his family, relatives and friends along with music fans at 12 o’clock this afternoon.

This program is likely to be hampered as there is Valley Bandh in Kathmandu. “I am desperately looking for a way to visit there and pay my final respect to him but due to this bandh I don’t know how I will be able to go there,” said mourning Tara Thapa.

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

Published: UsNepalOnline.Com

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A Tribute to Musician and Singer Ram Thapa

Kathmandu, November 20, 2008- It was a gloomy day to start with. Then Thursday became a day of great loss for Nepali music lovers with the repeated news broadcast from local FM radio and television of the untimely death of prominent musician and singer Ram Thapa.

Paying tribute to his contribution in Nepali music field as musician and singer, Nepali media played his famous songs all day. ‘Rhituharuma timi…hariyali basanta hau’ by Arun Thapa, ‘Katar…Katarma; Timro suhaune jwai aayo motorma’ by himself with Tara Thapa, among many other famous songs.

Thapa passed away at four this morning while undergoing treatment for his liver problem in Nervic Hospital. He had entered hospital three days ago as his health had worsened.

Born the third son to Hasta Bahadur Thapa and Hira Kumari Thapa on Bhadra 2, 2015 in Kamalpokhari of Kathmandu, Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar had started his musical journey with the hit song “Hai…Hai Bankali Mai…” with Tara Thapa. It was recorded on Radio Nepal in 2031 B.S.

“Before he was a dancer in ‘Bhairav Nirtya Dal’ where I used to sing so I knew him from there,” famous singer Tara Thapa remembered.

Ram Thapa joined ‘Bhairav Nirtya Dal’ in 2026 as a dancer. Later he played musical instruments and started singing as well.

A lover of music, Thapa is especially famous for his ‘jesting’ songs while he is equally loved and appreciated for folk and modern songs. He is well known as a singer, compiler of folk songs and musician of modern songs. He had sung on more than 300 songs and composed the music for more than.

Totally committed to music, he completed his B. Mus. in scriptural music. He had worked as the Guitar player on Radio Nepal since 2033, as a radio disc jockey from 2038 to 2054 and presented a program of folk songs ‘Aanchalik Suskera’ on Radio Nepal for about 2 years from 2047 which was enjoyed by a nation-wide audience.

“Rhituharuma Timi…Hariyali Basanta hau…” sung by Arun Thapa Magar for which Ram Thapa composed the music, ranked 7th among ‘10 Best Songs of the South Asia’ in the survey done by BBC World Service on the occasion of it’s 70th Anniversary in 2003.

A serious but jolly person with kind heart and friendly nature, Ram Thapa was loved by his friends and colleagues. “He was a kind of person who never says or thinks anything wrong about another; the best kind of human being,” recalls Tara Thapa who sang many songs with him.

Pradeep Bomjan, Board Director of Radio Nepal says Ram Thapa’s untimely death has caused a great loss and damage to the field of music. “With his unusual talent he was keeping Nepali folk music and culture alive, but now we have lost him, and that has brought great loss to our folk music and culture,” Bomjan remorse.

“He belongs to Janajati and we feel proud of that, but more than that he was the personality of our nation so our nation should be proud of him and we should have done something during his life to show gratitude for his contribution. But, as usual, he was never given enough honour and respect by his country, a very painful reality in the lives of Nepalese musicians and singers,” added Bomjan who is also a very famous singer.

Thapa’s last rites took place in Pashupati Aryaghat in the afternoon surrounded by his relatives and many music lovers.

Many prominent singers and musicians were also present for the funeral ceremony. They came to pay their final respects to their colleague.

Related notes on Ram Thapa:

He is famous for publishing books the first books on playing guitar in Nepal. He published a total of 10 books on the subject, among them:

1. Guitar Chords Anthology (Guitar Guide), Part – 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. Song and Chords Anthology, Part- 1, 2 and 3
3. New Guitar Guide
4. Pop song and Chords Anthology
5. Staff Notation Gyan

Prizes and Medals:
1. Nationwide Folk Song Competition in 2036: Second Position
2. Nationwide Modern Song Competition in 2040: First Prize
3. Nationwide Modern Song Competition in 2043: First Prize
4. Narayan Gopal Youth Music Puraskar, (shared with Tara Thapa) in 2050 B.S
5. Shri 5 Birandra Gaddi Aarohan Rajat Padak, 2053
6. Shri 5 Birendra Aishworya Sewa Padak 2058
7. Chhinnalata Puraskar 2059 B.S

He received a letter of appreciation from the late King Birendra Bikram Shah for teaching music to the late Prince Dipendra (2044). He was felicitated by Gorkha Victoria Cross Reception Committee (2050), Rastriya Gaurab Yuva Samman (2054), Nai Kala Nidhi Yuva Samman (2056), Nepal Deshbhakta Kalakar Sangh Samman (2056), and Arun Memorial Music Award of 2065.

Ram Thapa has 42 albums to his credit, some of them are given below:

Dohori and Folk song’s albums:
1. Ram Thapa ka Lok Geet, Part -1 and 2
2. Sero phero Salaam chha Mero (Dohori)
3. Arya Bhanjyang (Dohori)
4. Lok Suseli
5. Chautari ma Bar
6. Chha Macchi Jalaima
7. Khola paari Bajyo Murali
8. Majhi ra Machhi (Dohari)
9. Sali Bhena (Dohari)
10. Kina Lajaki?
11. Pothi Banseko
12. Laali Rangle
13. Chaubandi Kalle Siyeko
14. Milau Dahine Haat

Modern Songs’ albums:
1. Ram Thapaka Sangeetka Aadhunik Geetharu, Part – 1 and 2
2. Maun Prem
3. Yek Mutu Anek Dhukdhuki
4. Sargam Saugat
5. Aaja Bholi

Jesting (Hasya Byenga) Songs Albums:
1. Sandheko Judhai Bachchhako Michai
2. Khichatani
3. Sriman Shrimati
4. Mattitelko Kyu
5. Dhatterika
6. Gai Jattrai Gai Jattra
7. Nepal Bandh
8. Nepalai Nepal
9. Bina Junge Sher
10. Gau Gaubata Utha
11. Katar katarma

Video:
1. Juni Junilaai
2. Ghayel Prem

Films/Movies:
1. Baadal
2. Gham Chhaya
3. Aakha Lobhi Mann Paapi

CD albums:

1. Hit Creation of Ram Thapa (Modern)
2. Thok na Maadal Thok (Folk)

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

Published: UsNepalOnline.Com

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BBC’s 10 Best Songs of the World-
“Rhituharuma Timi..”by Arun Thapa Magar
Remembering Him and the Music Award that established in His Name

Kathmandu, July 21, 2008- This year’s Arun Memorial Music Award was given to renowned musician and folk singer Ram Thapa Magar on Sunday to mark the 9th Memorial Day anniversary of the late famous singer Arun Thapa Magar.

The award is given annually to veteran Magar artists on Arun Memorial Day by Nepal Magar Students Association (NMSA) to appreciate their contribution in the music field.

Receiving the award, singer/musician Ram Thapa said, “Felicitation is never small or big, the only thing it needs is a big heart.”

Remembering Arun Thapa, he said, “We worked together and shared our happiness and sadness through our music. He was a wonderful man with heart-piercing voice.”

“It is very painful not to find him beside me. Even more, the most painful moment for me was when I could not share the happiness with him when our song “Rhituharuma Timi…” reached the 7th position among ‘10 Best Songs of the World’ in the survey done by BBC World Service on the occasion of it’s 70th Anniversary in 2003,”he said with sadness in his voice.

Born in Kamal Pokhari, Kathmandu in 2nd Bhadra 2015 B.S. singer and musician Ram Thapa is especially famous for singing ‘jesting’ songs such as “Katar katarma…timro jwai aayo motorma”, “Relai ghumera baini ko gayo aadi umera…”. He is also appreciated for his music in very famous songs such as, “Rhituharuma timi…” sung by Arun Thapa, “Thamera kina Chhodeu haatharu…” sung by Sunita Subba, “Juni junilaai, meri oonilai…” by Rabin Sharma and many other songs.

Ram Thapa began his musical journey by joining “Bhairav Dance Group” in 2026 B.S as a dancer, instrumentalist and singer. He was noticed after recording his song “Hai hai…bankali mai” with singer Tara Thapa Magar in 2031 B.S.

Until now, he has performed and composed music for more than 300 songs and has already released 42 albums to his credit. His first album was “Ram Thapa ka Lokgeetharu” which was released by Music Nepal in 2042 B.S. His latest album, “Katar katarma”, was released last year.

Singer/musician Thapa is the Senior Music Officer at Radio Nepal, once Nepal’s only electronic media for the Himalayan nation which is run by an independent body of the government of Nepal.

Thapa has received many awards including ‘Chhinnalata Puraskar’ in 2059 B.S. and an award from Naraya Gopal Youth Music Trust in 2050 B.S. But the harsh reality is that until today, this veteran singer/musician has never been honoured or appreciated by the Nepalese government for his great contributions to the field of music.

After felicitating Ram Thapa, singer Tara Thapa expressed her happiness at being able to present the award to a brilliant artist. She said, “I congratulate him and hope that he will keep on producing his beautiful music for all of us to listen.”

The film director Kishor Rana Magar expressed his hope to work again with Ram Thapa in near future. Ram Thapa composed music for Rana’s hit movie “Gham Chhaya”.

Rana also remembered Arun Thapa this way: “Arun had that special quality in his voice that attracted everyone and made them feel his pain and suffering through his music.”

He further added, “When I met him, we talked about working together but he left us soon so my dream of working with him remained unfulfilled.”

On the 9th Arun Memorial Day, artists from Nepal Magar Cultural Association sang famous songs of Arun Thapa Magar to pay tribute to him.

Arun Thapa Magar who is well remembered for his sad and painful songs was born in 2009 B.S in Nepali Consul Embassy in Kolkota, India. He was talented and gifted with intense heart-touching voice. So his unique voice which spoke of pain and suffering became famous even after singing only few songs.

He is appreciated for his song “Rhituharuma timi…” nationally and internationally. Apart from this he is also very much liked for evergreen songs such as “chot ke ho, byetha ke ho”, “bhulu bhulu lagyo malai”, “jati maya laye pani”, “karodau mutuharu ko yeutai dhukdhuki Nepala”. Including these songs he sang 46 songs in Nepali, Magar and Hindi language.

Two albums namely ‘Arun’ and ‘The Best of Arun” have been released.

He died untimely on 4th Shrawan 2056 B.S after suffering many chronic illnesses. He was just 46 years of age.

The award was established in 2060 B.S. after the fund-raising cultural program “Late Arun Thapa Cultural Night” organized in his memory with the fund of Rs.50,000. The award has an appreciation letter and the cash Rs.5,000.

According to Jhakendra Gharti Magar, former NMSA president; during whose presidency the award was established said “The award was established to pay respect to Arun Thapa, and to appreciate and promote Magar artists who are fully involved in music sector.”

Before Ram Thapa, the famous lyricist Shiva Sankar Thapa Magar in 2061 B.S, singer Tara Thapa Magar in 2062 B.S, singer B.K. Rana Magar in 2063 B.S. and singer/actress Kabita Ale Magar in 2064 B.S. were honoured with this award.

At this event, “Laanghau Jhamrya”- an album in Magar language was released. The album contains 3 different types of songs: kauda, shalaiju and jhamre (also known as jhyaure) which are sung by Magar folk singers.

Song writer and compiler of “Laanghau Jhamrya”, Bhim Bahadur Rana said the album was released in an attempt to promote and preserve Magar culture, songs and language.

Appreciating the Bhim Rana’s effort, Constituent Assembly (CA) Member Dalbahadur Rana said, “We need to promote and preserve songs in Magar language and as the country has moved for a federal system, when we have our Magarat Autonomous State we should be able to play songs of our language that speak of our culture and history.”

He also promised that he will do everything in his power to raise the capital amount (fund) of the Arun Memorial Trust and do more to promote Magar artists and Magar language.

NMSA president Bhoj Bikram Budha Magar paying tribute to Arun Thapa Magar said, “Though Arun Thapa is no more with us physically, he will be forever with us through his beautiful songs and music.”

He further said that NMSA will keep on promoting and preserving Magar culture and language while equally fighting for social transformation and Magar identity.

On the occasion, other prominent personalities from Magar community such as singer/actress Kabita Ale, General Secretary of Nepal Magar Association Basanta Gharti Magar, Lawyer Gaubahadur Ale, CA member Ram Bahadur Thapa and others also congratulated Ram Thapa and appreciated Bhim Bahadur Rana for his efforts to promote Magar language and culture.

-Smita Magar in Kathmandu

Published: UsNepalOnline.Com

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