Nabin K Bhattarai (Nepali: नविन के भट्टराई; born March 14, 1974) is a Nepali singer, songwriter, and composer known for his work in Nepalese music industry.[1]

Nabin Chandra Bhattarai
Also known asNabin K Bhattarai
Born (1972-03-14) March 14, 1972 (age 52)
Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Nepal
GenresPop, Blues, Psychedelic
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, music composer, model
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1982–present
LabelsSAV, Stereo Records, music.com, Asian Music
Websitenabinkbhattarai.com.np

Education

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Nabin Bhattarai studied at Budhanilkantha School in Kathmandu, Nepal. After his school he briefly joined Nepal Science campus for his ISC. He dropped the ISC and later joined Music Department of Kathmandu University in Bhaktapur. He is trained in eastern classical music by legendary Nararaj Dhakal & then by Prabhuraj Dhakal . He has completed Bachelors in ethnomusicology.[2]

Musical career

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Nabin K Bhattarai started his musical career in 1990 with the band "The Steel Wheels" as the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the band. After the band disbanded, he pursued a solo career.[3] He was able to capture the attention of many Nepali music-lovers with his first released song Aankhama Timilai from the album Raharai Raharma which instantly made him a household name in Nepal. After the huge success of his first album, he has recorded eleven more albums from 1990 till date. His most recent album is Slok. Nabin K Bhattarai is considered to be the first real pop-star and unarguably one of the greatest pop singers of the country with an enormous fan following.[4]

He has won the Sajha Smriti Award for Best Male Vocalist on two occasions, first for Preetka Geet and then for Aankhama Timilai. He also won Album of the Year Award for Raharai Raharama. He further won the Shikhar Hits FM Music Awards 2054 (1997) on Best Male Vocal category for his hit single Sanjhapakha. He has also won the Chhinnalata Award, and at that time he was the youngest artist to receive that award. His album Aabhash is unarguably one of the most popular Nepali music album in the country's contemporary musical history. He also won Hits FM Music Awards 2060 (2003) for his sixth album Nabin. He has also won several other awards and recognition afterwards.[5] Some of his notable hits include Sanjhapakha', Timilai Ma Dobatoma, Timile Herda Kasailai, Timilai Bhetne, Chaina Joona', Yaad Le Timro and many others. As of 2011, he had been seen a lot in social works.

Musical style

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Most of Nabin K Bhattarai's earlier songs have a melodic pop style to them, depicting the loneliness of a young lover. While his first four albums Raharai Raharma, Aabhas, Smriti, Samjhana, and Samarpan had a more melodic style, he began experimenting around his sixth album, Nabin. Many of his compositions after "Nabin" include elements of rock in them, which was positively received by the Nepali audience. In all his successive albums, he has tried to add a new musical element and contribute something different to the Nepali music industry. His song Ali Alikati Pida from the album G-Major was critically acclaimed by many for its folk and pop mix and the affluent use of musical instruments. His collaborations with Rajan Raj Shiwakoti are highly appreciated by the audience. He is known as the 'king of Nepali Pop'.[6][7]

Albums

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  • Raharai Raharma
  • Aavash
  • Smriti
  • Samjhana
  • Samarpan
  • Nabin
  • The Blue
  • Smriti Re-loaded
  • G-Major
  • Nakshatra
  • Kathmandu
  • Slok
  • जिन्दगी ( with Steel Wheels Band, before starting solo career)

References

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  1. ^ "Nabin K. Bhattarai - Hot Property". radiokantipur.com. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  2. ^ "Here are the 11 best evergreen love songs by Nabin K Bhattarai. Which is your favourite? - OnlineKhabar English News". September 15, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Pant, Shashwat (August 26, 2021). "Nabin K Bhattarai: He led an era in Nepali pop music, yet he is neither tired nor retired". OnlineKhabar. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  4. ^ Acharya, Madhu Raman (2002). Nepal culture shift!: reinventing culture in the Himalayan kingdom. Adroit Publishers. p. 151. ISBN 978-81-87392-26-2.
  5. ^ "Upclose with Nabin K Bhattarai". CyberSansar. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  6. ^ "Nabin K Bhattarai releases new pop album NKB". The Himalayan Times. June 7, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Paras Shah 'rare' public appearance at Kathmandu restaurant". The Himalayan Times. September 26, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2020.