Sugam Pokharel

Sugam Pokharel (Nepali:सुगम पाेखरेल) is a Nepalese singer, music composer, songwriter, and radio jockey known for his contribution towards Nepali pop music. His first solo recording, Mero Sansaar (2001), became a top seller in Nepal.[2] He gained recognition from the mass, particularly the youths, in the early 2000s, when pop music was not particularly popular among the general public. Because of this, he is seen as one of the most prominent figures in Nepali pop music.[3][4][5]

Sugam Pokharel
सुगम पाेखरेल
Pokharel in 2015
Born (1979-09-20) September 20, 1979
Mangalbare, Morang District.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • RJ
Years active1995–present
Spouse
Liza Pokharel
​
(m. 2002)​
[1]
Children1 daughter
RelativesSunil Pokharel (brother)
Musical career
GenresPop
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels
  • Music.com
  • Rebel Creation
  • Stereo Records
Websitewww.sugampokharel.com

Early life career

Sugam Pokharel was born in Mangalbare, Morang in 1979.[6] His father was a government scribe in the Department of Land Reform Management, but was also known as an advocate in the locality. His elder brother, Sunil Pokharel is a theater artist.[7]

After completion of School Leaving Certificate (Nepal) from Biratnagar, Sugam moved to Kathmandu for his high school education. Initially having no desire to record music as a professional singer or to pursue a career as a pop singer, he decided to record a song when he met Sudin Pokharel in Kathmandu, who was also willing to record the song.[8] They both recorded their first song, Ma Maya Garchu at NAAD Studio, Anamnagar in 1995, which was a disaster. After their unsuccessful debut, they came together to record another song four months after their first release. The second release was titled Payera Timilai Yesto Khusi Chhu. It was not successful. Although facing two biggest flops in their debut career, their paramount desire for recording hit songs didn't halt them from recording their third song, Panchi. This also didn't do well in the market and the collaboration between Sugam and Sudin ended.[9]

Radio career

In 1997, Sugam started working as a librarian at Radio Sagarmatha, Nepal's first community radio, in the aftermath of three biggest flops in his early singing career with Sudin Pokharel. Later on, he started hosting a musical program.

Musical career

After back-to-back failures working with Sudin Pokharel a.k.a. DA69, he began his solo career with album 1MB, released in 2001. His first recorded song is Sayad Mero Prita. His initial songs like Feri Tyo Din, Kati Din Bitey, Maya Ko Baato, Samhalinchha Kaile Mann, and Timi Ma Bhanda established himself as Pop Star. His albums are Highway, Sutra, Yatra, School Pathshala, Sugam Song Geet.[3][10]

He often worked with Sudin Pokhrel (a.k.a. Rapper DA69) who also comes from his hometown Biratnagar. "The Unity" band (Rapper DA69, VJ Asif Shah, Aidray) were mostly associated with him in songs like Aaja Feri Din Bityo. Girish Khatiwada who hails from his hometown Biratnagar, also was associated with him.[11]

He also worked as one of the three judges of Nepali singing reality show Nepal Idol for season 4, after the original three judges from previous three seasons were busy with another project.[12]

Awards
List of awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category
2003 Close Up Hits F.M Music Award BestNew Artist of the Year
2018 Sagarmatha Music Awards Best Payback Singer of the Year Nominated
2021 Natikaji National Music Award Best Singer [13]

References
  1. Sherchan, Dipti (17 January 2004). "pheri tyo din ... samjhandai". The Himalayan Times. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  2. Mukhiya, Shiva (16 December 2021). "Sugam Pokharel: The popular pop star wants to contribute more to Nepal's music industry". Online Khabar. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. Ghimire, Pratik (12 January 2022). "Sugam Pokharel: The ideal Nepali pop culture Idol". The Annapurna Express. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. Sherchan, Dipti (27 February 2004). "What next for Sugam". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  5. गौतम, गोकर्ण (13 February 2019). "सुगम यात्रा". Nepal Magazine (in Nepali). Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  6. "Upclose with Sugam Pokharel". Cyber Sansar. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  7. "फेरि त्यो दिन सम्झन चाहन्नँ..." Baahrakhari. 13 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  8. "10 best songs by Sugam Pokharel for your playlist - OnlineKhabar English News". 12 November 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  9. Republica. "Sugam Pokharel back with new Dashain song". My City. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  10. Lama, Tsering Ngodup (23 October 2019). "DA 69 has been there, done that, and now he's doing it all over again". The Kathmandu Post. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  11. "It's time to celebrate world music day". myRepublica. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  12. "New judges join 'Nepal Idol' season 4". The Annapurna Express. 21 June 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  13. "President sees vital role of singers, musicians to unite nation". Khabarhub. 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022.
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