Dr Rabin Man Shakya
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal
The fans of Nepal Bhasa music in Nepal and all over the world were deeply moved by the sad news of popular singer Ramesh Tamrakar's demise on Jan 25, 2018. Tamrakar died of heart failure, but he was battling against diabetes for last several years.
Noted Newah singer Tamrakar was born on Oct 5, 1950 to father Chaitya Ratna Tamrakar and mother Hera Lani Tamrakar in Kathmandu.
Tamrakar started singing songs from the childhood. But "Wane Tyela Jila Thaun Kalaya Thhachhen" was his first recorded song.
Back in 1970 and 80s, like today, there were no TV and Internet. Tamrakar used to present his melodies at different Daboo Pyakhan programs organized at various Toles of Kathmandu. His rendition was highly appreciated and recognized by the people at that time. However, Ramesh Tamrakar started singing at Radio Nepal in 1972.
It is to be noted that, at that time, Radio Nepal was the only one electronic media in Nepal. Singers had to pass the voice test at the Radio Nepal prior to doing recording of songs at the state-owned broadcasting station. Late Tamrakar had rendered a number of popular songs in Nepali too at the Radion Nepal.
Still when I was with The Rising Nepal, I interviewed late Tamrakar who was then the General Managar of Rastriya Naachghar (Sanskritik Sansthan). Tamrakar had then led a big cultural delegation of Sanskritik Sansthan to Japan where they performed several Nepalese shows.
In that exclusive interview with me, late Tamrakar threw light on his hobby and passion, on his singing experience, on problems facing Nepali and Nepal Bhasa music industry and on problems of the Rastriya Naachghar.
In that interview, late Tamrakar revealed that music and singing were his hobby and passion and that he was always an amateur singer. It is to be noted that late Tamrakar led the Naachghar for four years. The interview was published in the Friday Supplement of The Rising Nepal in 1994.
A number of music cassettes and CD albums of late Tamrakar were brought out, but remarkable among them were the Cocktail (Panchakwa) 1, 2 and 3.
Newah Organization of America (NOA) in its condolence message said: "Tamrakar was a well learned person with double Masters degree in Mathematics (1972 from TU) and in Management Studies from Leeds University, UK."
The NOA condolence message went on to say:"NOA was honored to have Mr Tamrakar as a special guest and perform at NOA's 15th Annual Convention and General Meeting in 2016."
Versatile Newah singer Tamrakar was himself a philanthropist too. In memory of his parents, he had established "Chaitya Hera Shirapa" to be awarded every year to a girl student from Udaye Newah community with the highest scores in the SLC examinations.
Former Associate Editor, The Rising Nepal
The fans of Nepal Bhasa music in Nepal and all over the world were deeply moved by the sad news of popular singer Ramesh Tamrakar's demise on Jan 25, 2018. Tamrakar died of heart failure, but he was battling against diabetes for last several years.
Noted Newah singer Tamrakar was born on Oct 5, 1950 to father Chaitya Ratna Tamrakar and mother Hera Lani Tamrakar in Kathmandu.
Tamrakar started singing songs from the childhood. But "Wane Tyela Jila Thaun Kalaya Thhachhen" was his first recorded song.
Back in 1970 and 80s, like today, there were no TV and Internet. Tamrakar used to present his melodies at different Daboo Pyakhan programs organized at various Toles of Kathmandu. His rendition was highly appreciated and recognized by the people at that time. However, Ramesh Tamrakar started singing at Radio Nepal in 1972.
It is to be noted that, at that time, Radio Nepal was the only one electronic media in Nepal. Singers had to pass the voice test at the Radio Nepal prior to doing recording of songs at the state-owned broadcasting station. Late Tamrakar had rendered a number of popular songs in Nepali too at the Radion Nepal.
Still when I was with The Rising Nepal, I interviewed late Tamrakar who was then the General Managar of Rastriya Naachghar (Sanskritik Sansthan). Tamrakar had then led a big cultural delegation of Sanskritik Sansthan to Japan where they performed several Nepalese shows.
In that exclusive interview with me, late Tamrakar threw light on his hobby and passion, on his singing experience, on problems facing Nepali and Nepal Bhasa music industry and on problems of the Rastriya Naachghar.
In that interview, late Tamrakar revealed that music and singing were his hobby and passion and that he was always an amateur singer. It is to be noted that late Tamrakar led the Naachghar for four years. The interview was published in the Friday Supplement of The Rising Nepal in 1994.
A number of music cassettes and CD albums of late Tamrakar were brought out, but remarkable among them were the Cocktail (Panchakwa) 1, 2 and 3.
Newah Organization of America (NOA) in its condolence message said: "Tamrakar was a well learned person with double Masters degree in Mathematics (1972 from TU) and in Management Studies from Leeds University, UK."
The NOA condolence message went on to say:"NOA was honored to have Mr Tamrakar as a special guest and perform at NOA's 15th Annual Convention and General Meeting in 2016."
Versatile Newah singer Tamrakar was himself a philanthropist too. In memory of his parents, he had established "Chaitya Hera Shirapa" to be awarded every year to a girl student from Udaye Newah community with the highest scores in the SLC examinations.
Late Tamrakar is survived by his wife Anjana Tamrakar, two sons Sugam and Sagun daughters-in-law Shucheeta Shrestha Tamrakar, Pala Kansakar Tamrakar and grand daughter Shreeda Tamrakar.
Here in Portland, USA, very often, I keep listening to his songs "Wone Tyela Ji La Thaun Kalaya Thhachhen", "Chhaga Niga Swanga Makhaya Bhata Gwanga", "Hayare Jyapuni Tata", "Swaye Dhaka Swayagu Makhu"and "Layekuli Durbar Du" etc. These and other Nepal Bhasa songs of late Tamrakar are always sadabahar and perpetual melodies.
Here in Portland, USA, very often, I keep listening to his songs "Wone Tyela Ji La Thaun Kalaya Thhachhen", "Chhaga Niga Swanga Makhaya Bhata Gwanga", "Hayare Jyapuni Tata", "Swaye Dhaka Swayagu Makhu"and "Layekuli Durbar Du" etc. These and other Nepal Bhasa songs of late Tamrakar are always sadabahar and perpetual melodies.
