Remembering Narayan Gopal on his 23rd remembrance day

Mangsir 19 is the remembrance day of the greatest singers of Nepal, Narayan Gopal. On December 4, 2013 various programs are being organized all over Nepal to remember Narayan Gopal. Here are some of those programs:

In Pokhara, Radio Annapurna did a special program on Narayan Gopal in the morning. In Chitwan, Radio Synergy has been playing songs of Narayan Gopal. At Narayan Gopal Niwas in Maharajgunj a remembrance program was organized at 11 AM (like last year). At Maharajgunj Chowk, another remembrance program was organized at 1 PM.

A letter of Narayan Gopal to his parents after marrying Pemala

Narayan Gopal married his pen-friend from Darjeeling, Pemala. His father was very strict on those matters. In Falgun of 2027 BS he married Pemala but he couldn't bring his wife to his home. So, he went to Pokhara to live in poet Bhupi Sherchan's home.

Both Narayan Gopal and Pemala started teaching for their living. Pemala was a teacher in Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi School and Narayan Gopal was teaching in Amarsingh School. After living 6 months in Pokhara they returned back to Kathmandu. But, they didn't live with his parents for long. After a year of living together, Narayan Gopal moved to a rented place.

The original letter Narayan Gopal wrote to his Father after about three months of marrying Pemala.

The text:

Source - Kantipur (Dec 4, 2013)

2 incidents with Narayan Gopal

These are two unforgettable incidents told by Prakash Sayami:

Incident 1 - Koili and Koila 

Once when Prakash Sayami with one of his journalist friends went to take and interview of Narayan Gopal.

A question was, "A good female single is sometimes referred as 'Koili'. What do you think a good male singer be called?"

Narayan Gopal's answer, "A 'koila'. After singing a lot and drinking, his liver is burned out - like a coal (koila)."

Narayan Gopal was an excessive drinker and that was one of the causes of his death.

Incident 2 - Job Interview

At the time when Narayan Gopal was the General Manager of Sanskirtik Sansthan. Prakash Sayami was there for a job interview. During the interview Narayan Gopal asked, "You wanted a job of an artist, what can you play?"

Prakash Sayami answered, "All I can play is a radio."

Narayan Gopal got angry and told, "He can't do anything."

***

The incidents in Prakash Sayami's words, in Nepali:

5 more unknown facts about Narayan Gopal

This is the continuation of 'Unknown facts about Narayan Gopal' series by Prakash Sayami. Links to previous posts:

• 8 Unknown Facts about Narayan Gopal
• 7 more unknown facts about Narayan Gopal
• 6 more unknown facts about Narayan Gopal

Here are 5 more facts:

1. The first teacher of Narayan Gopal was his father Asha Gopal Guruwacharya and his another teacher was musician Manik Ratna. Narayan Gopal sang his first song on the music of his friend Prem Dhoj and teacher Manik Ratna.
2. Narayan Gopal studied music in Maharaja Firdaus Sangeet Vidyalaya in Baduda, India. At that time, he sang the popular song 'Chinari Hamro Dherai Purano ..." and presented it to his girlfriend of the time, Pemala Lama.
3. In his initial days, Narayan Gopal sang by the name 'NG' in Rado Nepal.
4. At the time Narayan Gopal was the Managing Director of Sanskritik Sansthan he had sacked some 25 artists. Among them were Sushila Rayamajhi, his teacher Manik Ratna, Shreedhar Poudel, Hari Bamsha Acharya and Madan Lama.
5. Narayan Gopal and Gopal Yonjan were good friends and 'Mitjyu' (very close friends 'mit' are officially declared by a special ceremony). Gopal Yonjan's first girlfriend Madan Pradhan had introduced the two music artists for the first time. Nagendra Thapa helped in building up their friendship. They became a special friends 'mit' after poet Ishowr Ballav Bhattarai organized a ceremony by lighting fire on a 'makal'.

6 more unknown facts about Narayan Gopal

This is the continuation of 'Unknown facts about Narayan Gopal' series by Prakash Sayami. Links to the related previous posts are:

• 8 Unknown Facts about Narayan Gopal
• 7 more unknown facts about Narayan Gopal

Here are 6 more facts:

1. Naryan Gopal was titled 'Swor Samrat' by Nagendra Thapa in 2027. The title was publicized by journalist/novelist/lyrist Shiva Adhikari.
2. Narayan Gopal had recorded 157 songs in his life. He sang three songs in his mother tongue, Newari, but none were recorded. He had saved those songs in his cassette player. Two of the songs were written by Girija Prasad Joshi and one by Durgalal Shrestha.
3. First solo concert of Narayan Gopal was organized in Silgudi, West Bangal, India. The event was managed by musician Divya Khaling.
4. After Arunma Lama Night Narayan Gopal and Ambar Gurung parted and didn't talk with each other. It was only in 2041 BS, during the time of the recording of 'Malati Mangale' poet Madhav Ghimire helped them get together again.
5. During the royalty era, Narayan Gopal only sang two songs written by the royal members. One was written by Chandani Shah and another by Rabindra Shah.
6. Apart from editing a magazine, Narayan Gopal had written a few articles. His essay "Devkota Bacheko Bhaya" was published in Madhuparka monthly and "Baudhik Bhanine Shrasta" (on Parijat) was published in Gorkhapatra daily.

7 more unknown facts about Narayan Gopal

Noted Nepali film personality Prakash Sayami has compiled 7 more unknown facts about the greatest singer of Nepali musical history, Narayan Gopal.

1. Narayan Gopal started his theater journey by acting as a blind person in a play named "Tyag" in 2013 BS.
2. Narayan Gopal's stage journey started by playing Tabla on the song of Prem Dhoj Pradhan during TC Night event in Trichandra College. In most of Prem Manik's song, Narayan Gopal used to play Tabala. The music director of the song he sung for the voice test in Radio Nepal was also Prem Manik.
3. In the first year of his marriage he taught history in Amarsingh High School in Pokhara. In that time he lived as a guest in poet Bhupi Sherchan. Later he moved to Shyam Kachapati's house.
4. Narayan Gopal's body builder friends used to call him 'Sando Pahalman'. Both of his body builder friends Tarzen Singh and Toofan Singh have already died.
5. In 2036 BS while he went to the stage to sing in 'Samjhanako Raat' program he challenged from the stage, "If you want to fight I am ready come one-by-one."
6. In the movie 'Pariwartan' he told that he won't sing a duet song and forced to add a solo song. The solo song 'Bhujnai Sakinau Timile Mero Aankha ko Bhaka... ' was his debut song in movie. The song was written by Chetan Karki and music by V. Balsara.
7. When an ADC from the palace brought a song by Chandani Shah (then queen, Aishwarya) he got annoyed and asked him not go come again. He didn't want to sing the song. The palace wasn't happy by such a behavior of Narayan Gopal. But, later he sang the song, earning him the highest payment he ever received for singing a song.

The original text of Prakash Sayami in Nepali follows:

8 Unknown Facts about Narayan Gopal

Film Maker, Writer, Media Personality Prakash Sayami has written about 8 unknown facts about Narayan Gopal. Here are rough translation of the Nepali text:

1. To the ones he didn't like he used to say, 'One blow is not enough and two blows kills him.'
2. He used call Gopal Yonjan by 'Mitjyu' and Divya Khaling by 'Som'
3. Two of his songs were controversial. 'Galti Hazaar Hunchhan...' was banned in Radio Nepal. Another song, 'Aajha Bholi Harek Sanjh...' was behind the misunderstanding between the lyricist Bhim Birag and the musician Madhu Chhetri. The song was also removed from the music cassette.
4. When a Baidhya businessman offered Narayan Gopal Rs. 200,000 to go to Bombay for recording his first album, Narayan Gopal refused by saying that he doesn't want a smuggler's money.
5. Narayan Gopal refused an award because of the condition that he had to sing on stage. That was the first award from a movie.
6. Like Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, Narayan Gopal stayed away from media for three years. He banned government media like Jagjit Singh. He didn't sing for Radio Nepal in later stage of his life.
7. Narayan Gopal's nickname was 'Gaida'. Those who didn't like him they used to call by this nickname. Those who like Narayan Gopal they used to call by the nickname 'Sanubhai'. Now, every Nepali knows him as 'Sworsamrat'.
8. At the time he was the General Manager of Sanskritik Sansthan the condition was very bad. When the Indian Embassy wanted to help he refused. He started by showing plays like 'Corss ma Tangiyeko Jindagi' and was successful in purchasing a red car.

These facts in Prakash Sayami's words:

Birth date of Narayan Gopal, remembrance

Narayan Gopal is not with us but his songs are immortal and always inspiring. Narayan Gopal was born on Ashwin 18 and today is the birth anniversary of the greatest legend of Nepali music.

Remembring Narayan Gopal two decades after his death

Even after his death 20 years ago, Nepali modern music and singing still misses the voice and music of Narayan Gopal.

Narayan Gopal died on December 5 of 1990 (19 Mangsir, 2047 B.S.) at 9 p.m. in Bir Hospital Kathmandu, at an age of fifty-one. He was suffering from diabetes but wouldn't follow strict dietary rules.


After his death, no other Nepali singer has been such a versatile singer. Narayan Gopal was also the first generation of Nepali singers who took music as a profession. Wide range of his voice range allowed him to sing songs of every genre of Nepali music.

Hari Prasad Rimal - Nepali music and theater legend

Seven decades long contribution and dedication to the Nepali music and theater has made Hari Prasad Rimal a legend in his own rights. Rimal was one of the first singers to sing in Radio Nepal.

In 2011BS Hari Prasad Rimal and Kishori Devi sung a duet titled "Jau Hami Badal Pari" After three month of the recording of the song , Rimal and Kishoridevi along with some of his colleagues met with a car accident. Kishoridevi couldn't survive the accident and went to 'Badal Pari' for real.

Apart from directing various stage shows, Hari Prasad has also acted in various Nepali movies including Aama, Manko Badh, Pariwartan, Ke Ghar Ke Dera, Santaan and others. Hari Prasad's elder brother Gopal Prasad Rimal was a noted literately figure. One of Gopal Prasad's popular plays, Masan, is going to be made into a movie by a noted film personality, Nir Shah.

Hari Prasad is currently suffering from lungs infection and has to take help of oxygen cylinder for breathing. Recently, The Film Development Board of Nepal, a government body to look after Nepali movies, has decided to provide an old-age pension to Hari Prasad Rimal, in recognition to his contribution to the Nepali movie industry.

Narayan Gopal - was he a taxi driver?

In one of the articles of CK Lal in Nepali Times (he is a regular columnist), he gave a different identity of Narayan Gopal:

Once there lived a carefree youth in a rented room inside Narsingh Camp at Thamel. Two of his immediate neighbours staying on the same floor of the house were a taxi driver and a cook. The taxi driver was none other than Nepal's most famous singer, the late Narayan Gopal. The taxi driver Narayan Gopal was unusually shy.

CK Lal claims that he was the third flatmate, sharing the Thamel apartment with Babu Kaji and Narayan Gopal.

Narayan Gopal's wife however doesn't agree with CK Lal's claim.

CK Lal's "Let them eat cake" (#78) about Swar Samrat Narayan Gopal has attracted the attention of this Trust. Lal's recollections are interesting and wonderful, but what disturbed and shattered me badly was his reference to the singer being a taxi driver. I was with my husband during that period, and I am quite sure he never even touched the steering wheel of a taxi, let alone any vehicle with four wheels.
Pemala Guruwacharya
Narayan Gopal Music Trust

It is strange why Pamala need to reply in the name of Narayan Gopal Music Trust instead of  replying as herself, the wife of late singer.

CK Lal also didn't back from his claim by saying, "Despite my advancing age, I stand by my memory."

Personal Life of Narayan Gopal

Vocal King Narayan Gopal Guruvacharya was born on Wednesday Ashoj 18, 1996 Bikram Sambat (BS) to a Newar family in Kathmandu. He was the sixth child and second son of renowned Sitar player Late Asha Gopal Guruvacharya and Ram Devi Guruvacharya. Narayan Gopal's father being a classical musician, wanted his son to venture in music field and follow his footsteps. To the satisfaction of his father, Narayan Gopal became interested in music from his early years. But, the interest turned out to be not exactly into classical field. He went to India to study classical music. But, he was more interested in singing than a classical music.

Music composer, late Gopal Yonjon and Narayan Gopal were very good friends. To make the friendship last longer they were bonded together by being "mits" - an unique Nepali custom where good friends enter into a kind of a lasting friendship. Being mit is generally seen as strengthening of the friendship bond between two friends. Narayan Gopal has sung many beautiful and soulful songs composed by Gopal Yonjon.

Narayan Gopal married his long time fan from Darjeeling, Pemala Lama. Pemala and Narayan Gopal didn't have any children.

Narayan Gopal - Video Biography

Produced by - Promoters Nepal on December of 2005.

Narayan Gopal Biography (Video)

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

Narayan Gopal Gurbacharya

This site is dedicated the evergreen Nepali singer Narayan Gopal Gurbacharya. I will collect articles related to Narayan Gopal, songs, lyrics and music videos for his fans.

Narayan Gopal

Narayan Gopal was born to a Newar family in Kathmandu, Kilagal on 18th of Ashoj1996 Bikram Sambat (BS). His father, Ashagopal Gurbacharya, was a classical musician and wanted his son to follow his footsteps. Narayan Gopal was interested in music from an early age but not exactly into classical field. He studied music in India.

The late Gopal Yonjon and Narayan Gopal were good friends and "mits".(It's a nepali custom where good friends enter into a kind of a lasting friendship. This is generally seen as strengthening the friendship bond.) Narayan Gopal has sung many beautiful and soulful songs composed by Gopal Yonjon.

Narayan Gopal married his long time fan from Darjeeling, Pemala Lama in Falgun 2027 BS.

He has sung over 500 songs, including in films, ballets and drama. Most of his songs are melodies. It is said that he was very selective about which songs he sang.

In Nepali:

स्वर सम्राट नारायण गोपाल

स्वरसम्राट् नारायणगोपाल गुरुबाचार्यको जन्म वि.सं. १९९६ असोज १८ गते बुबा आशागोपाल गुरुबाचार्य र आमा रामदेवी गुरुबाचार्यको सन्तानका रूपमा काठमाडौँ किलागलमा भएको हो । वि.सं. २०२७ साल फागुनमा पेमालाका साथ उहाँको विवाह सम्पन्न भए पनि सन्तान भएनन् । चार जना दाजु-भाइ र ३ जना दिदी-बहिनीमध्येका एक नारायण गोपालले मानविकीमा स्नातकोत्तर गर्नुभयो ।

बडोदा (भारत) मा शास्त्रीय संगीतको अध्ययन थालेर पूरा नगर्दै छाड्नुभयो । डिस्क र टेप गरी जम्मा २ सयवटा प्रसारित गीत गाएका नारायण गोपालले २०२३ सालमा सर्वोत्तम संगीतकार (रेडियो नेपाल), २०२४ सालमा सर्वोत्तम गायक (रेडियो नेपाल), २०३९ सालमा रत्न रेकर्ड पुरस्कार, २०३३ सालमा गोरखा दक्षिण बाहु चौथो, २०४० सालमा इन्द्रराज्यलक्ष्मी पज्ञा पुरस्कार, २०४३ सालमा लायन्स अवार्ड, २०४४ सालमा छिन्नलता पुरस्कार, २०४५ सालमा जगदम्बाश्री पुरस्कार, २०४७ सालमा उर्वशी रङ पुरस्कार र २०४८ सालमा त्रिशक्तिपट्ट तेस्रो (मरणोपरान्त) जस्ता पुरस्कारबाट सम्मानित हुनुभयो ।

खाना बनाउने, चेस खेल्ने चंगा उडाउने, फुटबल म्याच हेर्ने, टेबुल (विशेष गरी कोठाको) अगाडि पर्‍यो कि बजाउन थालिहाल्ने खालको उहाँको बानी र शौख थिए । बागीनाको प्रकाशक तथा संस्कृतिक संस्थानका महाप्रबन्धक, सञ्चार मन्त्रालयमा सल्लाहकारसमेत हुनुभएका नारायण गोपालले गीति नाटकको कथा 'कान्छी मस्याङ' लेखनुभएको थियो । उहाँको निधन वि.सं. २०४७ साल मंसिर १९ गते भयो ।