Five Decade Old Dream Materializes for Jagat Mardan Thapa

One of the respected personalities in Nepal’s music industry, veteran singer and lyricist Jagat Mardan Thapa continues to impress music lovers in the second innings of his musical journey. The 81 year old, who recorded many popular numbers in the nineteen fifties and sixties, was honored with Biritik Puraskar by the then King Mahendra for composing the song Bhana Lau Timi Nadhati.

Despite his success in the field of music, he took a break from the industry for over 30 years to focus on his career in the civil services.

After retirement, Thapa’s love for eastern classical music prompted him to study music formally beginning at the age of 64. He studied under the tutelage of classical vocalist Prabhu Raj Dhakal for nine years and also completed his Bachelor of Music degree in singing from the Prayag Sangeet Samiti in Allahabad, India.

Some of Thapa’s popular albums showcasing his talent as a composer, writer and singer include Chalis Barsha Aghi Ra Chalis Barsha Pachi, Maanko Shanti and Maya Lukai Lukdaina.

Thapa, who liked Indian singer Usha Mangeshkar’s voice in the song Namaana Laaza Yesari in the 1966 Nepali classic movie Maitighar, wanted to collaborate with her in one of his albums. He realized this wish when the duo worked together on the album Ma Pathjhad Thiye recently.