Karna Das

Karna Das (Nepali: कर्ण दास) (born 24 November, 1974 in Pokhara, Nepal), is a Nepali musician, singer, songwriter, lyricist, composer, and record producer.[1][2] Das is regarded as the "living legend" of the Nepali music landscape.[3][4] He is revered for his soothing and melodious timbre and also for his distinct songwriting attributed with immense depth and earnestness.[3][4] His lyrics spans topics such as philosophical and existential issues of mankind, perseverance, overcoming ordeals, lamentation, hope, anti-fatalism, and patriotism.[2][3][4]

Karna Das
Karna Das performing in Melbourne, Australia in 2016.
Background information
Birth nameKarna Das Pariyar
Born (1974-09-24) 24 September 1974
Sub-Metropolitan-15, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
Occupation(s)Musician, Singer, Lyricist, Composer, Record Producer
InstrumentsVocals, Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Pen
Years active1997–present
LabelsSamjhana Audio Video (SAV), Ranjana Music, Music Nepal, Believe Music
Associated actsMadhyanha, Anju Panta

He completed high school in 1993, completed his Intermediate of Arts (IA) in Education, and studied economics in college.[2] Das was the lead vocalist of the band Madhyanha ("Central Point").[2] He began his singing career in 1997 with the band's first song, "Jindagi Ko Ke Bharosa".[2] Das wrote the song and furnished it with his vocals, at the age of 20.[5]

Das plays piano, guitar, and bass guitar. His musical inspirations include Elton John, Richard Michael, Scorpions, Michael Jackson, Gulam Ali of Pakistan, Lata Mangeshkar and the Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh of India, and Narayan Gopal of Nepal.[2]

Das makes rare appearances in commercial and popular media.

Early life

Das was born and raised in an art-loving, and musical Christian home.[5] He is the only son and has an elder and a younger sister. His father played Tabla and was a singer, but could not continue the music after he joined the Indian Army.[5] His mother Ratna Devi Das was a professional dancer.[5][4] She was a chorus line dancer, and also performed alongside the Bollywood actress Mala Sinha, in the 1966 Nepali movie, Maitighar.[5][4]

Das was educated in Sunday School in his Church in Pokhara from early childhood to adolescence where he garnered his moral and musical lessons. Growing up in a Christian home, music was intimately part of the family, as they sang and played along Christian hymns, gospels, and worship songs. Das learned the fundamentals of music in his church while singing in the choir. He recalls as a young 12-year-old, he was gifted by his mother, his first acoustic guitar, and was encouraged to pursue music.[5] He was given guitar lessons by a guitar teacher named Manish Tamang in his village.[4] Observing Das's incessant love for music and his promising talent, his mother nudged him into a disciplined musical learning path, grooming and guiding young Das.[5]

In the milieu of Nepal's bucolic livelihood, raising and shepherding cattle and sheep was part of Das's regular chore.[4] He recalls the only medium for music in his village was the radio.[4] As a teenager, the first western music Das got antiquated to was Holiday by the German rock band Scorpions,[4] which grabbed him in astonishment. He was soon into sentimental and melodious English tunes shared with him by his friend Arjun.[4] Das was fascinated by Elton John songs, and hits of Michael Jackson such as Earth Song, and Heal The World.[4]

As Das's father joined the Indian Army, the family moved to New Delhi where Das was introduced to Indian songs. He craved for lyrically strong music and that was beyond merely psychologically pleasure-inducing. His inspiration met with Pakistani singer Gulam Ali, and the Indian Ghazal giant Jagdish Singh. Das was particularly touched by the Urdu lexicon and poetry, which was distinctly soaked with sentiment and meaning, and had a wide gamut of diverse and subtle connotations. Das wanted to emulate this aspect of Eastern language through the Nepali songwriting and vocabulary.[4]

By the time Das was a young adult, he had already garnered a holistic taste for western, Indian, and Nepali songs that especially packed meaningful depth and sentiment. Moreover, he also attributes his study of the Bible and philosophical books which gave him the perspective for life's reality that would influence his writings.[4][6] At the age of 19, he began percolating his experience into carving and drafting original words and melodies simultaneously. He would soon take the Nepali musical scene with storm, through his beautiful, soul-stirring, and powerful music.

Personal life

He is married to Sima Das. He has 3 sons, of which the eldest Markus Das works in a recording studio in Pokhara.[7] During, the thick of the civil war in Nepal waged under the Maoist insurgency, Das in early 2000s, released a couple of albums targeting the listeners of the war-stuck nation. Through his music, he asked his listeners to persist their hope, and bolster their perseverance until everyone meets the impending light at the end of the tunnel. To the then bastions of power through his songs, he urged that the struggle of Nepalese was not merely for the radical changes in power structures, but for the grassroot upliftment of people's life and livelihoods. An example is evinced in the song "Thula Thula Mahal" which among others, voices Nepalese preference for tiny huts that imparts vocation and education rather than tall indifferent urban complexes. Other imperatives in the same song includes statements with contrasting negations, such as, "give me a field of crops, over a battlefield; a pen that draws ink, over a sword that draws blood; a pair of hands that gives, over a pair of talkative lips; and a sage that imparts wisdom, over a jogi that begs."

In 2005, Das took a decade-long hiatus from the musical activity in Nepal, during which he resided in Baltimore city, in the U.S. state of Maryland.[3][8] The aftermath of April 2015 Nepal earthquake, invoked the urgency for ensuring the well-being of his family, thus he repatriated. Assessing in retrospect, Das considers his life's journey including the hiatus as carefully planned and worked out by God.[3] He considers the almighty pulled him through the highs and lows with a purpose — to teach Das life lessons of immense significance, and to seep in him deeper perspective into reality, which he would not have garnered otherwise.[3] As of now, he is glad to be reunited and to cherish love, with his family and grown children.[3] In 2016, he resumed his music in Nepal, and catering to his life-long fans, released the album "Euta Naya Asha" (A New Hope).[9]

Das is a devoted Christian.[5][6]

Concerts
Year Venue Notes
1997 Basundhara Park, Lakeside, Pokhara, Nepal "Machapuchre Utsav Music Contest". The event marks the debut of Karna Das & his band Madhyanha.[10] They won the contest.
1998 Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal Special Contribution of gospel song.
1998 Sunsari, Nepal Special appearance as a singer at a beauty pageant.
2001 Hong Kong Performed among Nepalese and British Gurkhas living in Hong Kong on the occasion of Nepalese New Year.
2001 Pokhara, Nepal Performed for the recognition of the City of Pokhara.
2001 Komogane, Nogano, Japan Performed for the recognition of the City of Pokhara.
2002 Tokyo, Japan Performed for Nepalese working & living in Tokyo, Japan.
2003 London, UK Performed for Nepalese and British Gurkha living in the UK.
2003 Bangkok, Thailand Performed for Burmese of Nepali origin living in Thailand.
2003 Doha, Qatar Performed in Doha, Qatar along side other artists from Nepal.
2004 London, UK "Karna Das Night". First solo concert among 1200, organized by Yeti Sanjh” in London UK.
2005 Pokhara, Nepal “Karna Das Night”. Fundraiser event to establish a medical polyclinic in Pokhara.
2006 Pokhara, Nepal “Karna Das Night”. Fundraiser concert for the landslide victims of mid western Nepal.
02 - 05 Sep, 2009 Boston, USA "Karna Das in Boston" [11]
26 Dec, 2015 City Hall, Pokhara, Nepal "Karna Das back again after 10 years - Live in Pokhara".[12] Fundraiser concert for reconstruction of earthquake affected schools, organised by the Lions Club of Pokhara, Adarsha Chautari.[8]
06 Dec, 2014 Akron, Ohio, USA "Live Gospel Concert at Akron, Ohio" [13]
03 Jun, 2017 Red Capsicum Restaurant and Function Centre, Rockdale, Sydney, Australia "Karna Das Australia Tour". Fundraiser concert for INF's Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara.[14][15]
10 Jun, 2017 St Luke's Anglican Church, Liverpool, Sydney, Australia "Karna Das Australia Tour". Fundraiser concert for INF's Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara.[14][16]
29 Jun, 2018 Ilam, Nepal "Province 1 Youth Festival - An Evening with Karna Das" [17]
NA Hong Kong Performed among four thousand at the Beauty Pageant Concert in Hong Kong.
NA Jersey City, New Jersey, USA Sister Cities Singing Ceremony
NA Japan 6th Rodhi Saanjh in Japan.

Awards & Recognition

During the pre-90s, virtually all artists of Nepal made their debut through the state-owned radio station - Radio Nepal. The in-house music department screened the candidates, validated their technical abilities, and supported them with record production and broadcast. With the advent of private stations in the 90s, budding artists gained broader options to garner appraisal of their work. Awards from Hits FM and Image FM were considered premium accolades for Nepali musicians. Nepali Times, an English weekly stated "...[these awards] are widely regarded as the most representative Nepali awards: the people decide on the nominees, and an independent panel of judges culled from the pillars of Nepali music make the final selection".[18]

Das has won over two dozen awards since 1997. He has bagged consecutive awards in the categories such as 'best composition', 'best performance', and 'best male voice'.

Year (AD) Nepali Year (BS) Host Award Notes
1997 2054 Machhapuchre Music Best Band, Best Vocal, and Best Lyrics for the song "Jindagi Ko Ke Bharosa"
1997 2054 Carlsberg Music Best Vocal & Best Lyrics for the song "Jindagi Ko Ke Bharosa"
1998 2055 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Record of the Year for the song "Jindagi Ko Ke Bharosa"
1998 2055 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Best Performance by Group or Duo for the song "Jindagi Ko Ke Bharosa"
1999 2056 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Best Performance by Group or Duo for the song "Anoutho Byatha Bhaecha"
2001 2058 Sanmigal Music Best Male Vocal (Pop) for the song "Eklo Raat"
2001 2058 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Best Male Vocal Performance for the song "Byarthai Feri"
2002 2059 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Best Male Vocal Performance for the song "Janmida Eklai"
2002 2059 Machhapuchre FM Best Male Vocal Performance for the song "Soonsaan Raat"
2002 2059 Machhapuchre FM Best Song of the Year for the song "Bisataari Chaayo"
2003 2060 JCI Nepal ( Jaycees) Youth of the Year in Arts
2003 2060 Boston College of London Longtime Outstanding Nepalese Singer International Award
2003 2060 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Best Male Vocal Performance for the song "Timro Mero Sambandhako"
2003 2060 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Record of the Year for the song "Thula Thula Mahal Hoina"
2004 2061 Image FM 97.9 6th Annual Image Award 2060 BS - Best Male Vocal Performance for the song "Ma Mareko Chaina" [19]
2005 2062 Chinnalata Music Melodious Voice of the Year
2005 2062 Hits FM The 7th Close-Up Hits FM Music Award - Best Composition for the song "Pradesh Bata"[20][18]
2005 2062 Hits FM Hits FM Music Award - Best Male Vocal Performance for the song "Pradesh Bata" [20]
2006 2063 Image FM 97.9 Best Vocal Performance

Discography
Release Year Album Title Album Type Label
1997 Madhyanha - 1 Studio
1998 Madhyanha - 2 Studio Ranjana Music Industries Pvt. Ltd.
2000 Bhetiyera Feri Studio
2001 Madhyanha - 3 Studio
2003 Purano Dunga Studio Music Nepal
May 09, 2005 [21] Aadha Sapana Studio Samjhana Audio Video (SAV)
2007 Preet Studio
2008 [22] Best Of Madhyanna Compilation Ranjana Music Industries Pvt. Ltd.
September 23, 2016 [9] Euta Naya Aasha Studio Music Nepal

References
  1. "Karna Das rises with A New Hope". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  2. "Karna Das, singer of Nepali modern genre – Boss Nepal". Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  3. "Suman Sanga 30 December - Karnadas - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  4. "Karna Das / Living Legend of Nepali music industry | The Rock Show - Abhishek S. Mishra - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  5. "KARNA DAS Interview - Episode 7 | Christian Platform". YouTube. Jan 10, 2015. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  6. "गायक कर्ण दास कार्यक्रम Face Up ll GoodNews TV Nepal ll Face Up With singer Karna Das - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  7. "धेरैपछि गायक कर्णदास छोरा सहित यस्तो अवस्थामा मिडियामा आए | Karna Das N Son Interview - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  8. "गायक कर्णदास पनि फर्किए अमेरिकाबाट". Nepal Japan. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  9. "Karna Das rises with A New Hope". The Himalayan Times. 2016-09-24. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  10. "Karna Das (Madhyannha) - Jindagi Ko Ke Bharosa - RARE VIDEO - Machhapuchre Utsav - 1997 - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  11. "Karna Das in Boston". USNepalOnline. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  12. "Karna Das Back Again After 10 Year - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  13. "Karna Das | Live Gospel Concert at Akron, Ohio 2014". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  14. "Karna Das Australia Tour". International Nepal Fellowship. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  15. "An evening with Karna Das". TryBooking. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  16. "UNCC present An evening with Karna Das". TryBooking. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  17. "Karna Das Live in Ilam". YouTube. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  18. Shrestha, Deepesh (13 February 2004). "Win-win Situation - Everyone wins with this award how for Nepali music" (PDF). Nepali Times. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  19. "The best get awarded". The Himalayan Times. 2004-05-07. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  20. "They hit you where it mattered". The Himalayan Times. 2005-01-13. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  21. "Karna's dreams". The Himalayan Times. 2005-05-08. Retrieved 2020-07-30.
  22. Best Of Madhyanna - Karna Das - Download or Listen Free - JioSaavn, retrieved 2020-07-30
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