Abhaya Subba

Abhaya Subba (Nepali: अभाय सुब्बा) is a Nepalese singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the front woman of the rock band Abhaya & the Steam Injuns. She is a former RJ of Times FM and Hits FM, and is famous for her progressive music and social initiatives. She is the founder of Women in Concert that gives a platform and creates a safe environment for upcoming female artistes.[1]

Abhaya Subba Weise
Abhaya Subba during a local concert in Kathmandu
Abhaya Subba during a local concert in Kathmandu
Background information
Birth nameAbhaya Subba (Limbu)
Born11 June 1979 [1]
Darjeeling, West Bengal, India[1]
GenresProgressive rock, pop rock, soul, rhythm and blues[1]
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter[1]
Instrument(s)Vocals, Keyboard[1]
Years active2003–present[1]
Labels360o Records, Yuva[1]

Personal life and career

Abhaya completed her LLB studies from St. Xaviers, Mumbai. She worked as RJ in Times FM in Delhi and later with Hits FM in Nepal.[1][2] She started her music career with a local band Parikrama back in India, and was involved with it from 1993 to 1995. She was also affiliated with other Rock bands, Red Skywalkers and Punchtatva, respectively, before making it big with Abhaya & the Steam Injuns. She claims that her inspiration and the driving force is her father, who got her interested in music since her childhood.[3]

She later collaborated with the Image Channel as a producer and the judge of a local talent program, Sprite Band Challenge—Freedom to Rock[4][5] Her music is influenced by Led Zeppelin, Blondie, The Clash, Steely Dan and Green Day.[2]

She has a son with her husband, Kai Weise, who is a local architect in Nepal.[1]

Mainstream success

Abhaya claimed the commercial and critical success with her current band, Abhaya & the Steam Injuns. The band was formed on 2 January 2003. Initially they were involved in playing live gigs in hotels and lounge bars. It was essentially an acoustic blues band before it kicked off as a rock outfit. Abhaya Subba, the lead vocalist, is also the founder member and creator of the band.[1][6]

She was judge in the rock band competition called Sprite Band Challenge—Freedom to Rock, and has judged it along with fellow Nepali musicians Robin Tamang and Dev Rana, where underground rock bands compete for an ultimate prize and a music contract.[7]

Concerts & Tours

Abhaya has participated in numerous concerts and international tours with her band, and other associated acts. She is also the founder and creator of Women in concert. A concert conceptualized to support rising Nepali female singers and musicians.[8]

The Voice of Nepal

Abhaya was one of the judges in the first edition of The Voice of Nepal.[3]

Discography
Abhaya and the Steam Injuns Live at Women in Concert
  • The Steam Injuns (2005)
  • Nayan (2008)[9]

Other works
Abhaya during a local protest program, along with Shreedeep rayamajhi (Activist)

In May 2011, Abhaya participated in Nepal Unites via Facebook, an event organized to warn politicians about the statute drafting within the stipulated time frame, with musicians like Nima Rumba and Aani Tschoing Dolma.[10][11]

She, along with Lamp Lights, organized Let there be lights, a protest-concert in Kathmandu, in February 2012, to solicit unity against the government's move on increasing load shedding.[12]

In a post-program interview, she responded:

Our leaders made a pledge that power problems are going to improve within five years, but it never happened. So, here we are giving a wakeup call to all CA members to stop the blame game, and start taking actions as we have to bear the brunt of darkness and pain.[13]

See also

References
  1. Gurung, Pravat J. (8 December 2008). "Abhaya & her life". WAVE. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  2. "Online profile of Abhaya Subba". NepaliSite.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. Rana, Pinki Sris (8 April 2022). "Abhaya Subba has seen it all". The Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  4. "Insight on the Rock band Abhaya & the Steam Injuns". DarjeelingTimes.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  5. "Local rock star talent hunt in Nepal". Kantipur Publications. 3 May 2011. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  6. "Discography of Abhaya & the Steam English". Last.fm. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  7. Glan, Latshering (20 August 2009). "Abhaya, new judge in Sprite Band Challenge". CyberNepal.com.np. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  8. Rai, Dinesh (5 October 2007). "Ladies Only Please!: Women in Concert". ecs.com.np. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011.
  9. "Discography of Abhaya & the Stam Injuns". Babbal.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  10. "Nepal Unites via Facebook". NepaliBlogger.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  11. "Nepali Youths Speak up at Nepal Unites Event". NepalUnites. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  12. "Let there be Lights on Facebook.com". Facebook. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  13. "Abhaya protesting against the government". MyRepublica.com. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
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