The picture speaks for itself, 'Namaste Band' making music 30 years.
The Namaste band is a musical group which was established 29 years earlier by Nepalese and Japanese members in Nepal and Japan with objective of promoting and preserving Nepalese identity and Nepalese music, art, literatures, languages, tourism and iu culture. The band has successfully worked for 29 years to fulfill its objectives and soon it's going to celebrate 30th anniversary in 2075 B.S. Ishwor Gurung who was born in Brunei, belongs to the family of British Army. He spent major part of his childhood period in Hong Kong and Singapore, and later shifted to his ancestral hometown Pokhara at the age of 14. He had profound interest on singing, dancing and playing musical instruments so he used to show this talent in different occasions like feast and festivals of village, religious functions, parties of troops etc. Later, he engaged in Annapurna club and musical family and started to participate in different cultural and musical programs. After completion of his S.L.C. level from Gandaki Boarding School and intermediate from Shankardev campus, he made his journey of Japan. In 1986, he got opportunity to work in well reputed Event Management Company of Tokyo where he learnt skills to organize big concerts and in-depth knowledge of music. In 1988, he invited his own club Annapurna Music family Pokhara to in a grand concert event, 'No nukes one love' where musical group of 46 countries would perform for 8 days and 9 nights and was organized to spread the message of peace and nonviolence. With the help of Japanese Journalist Junji Matru Naga, his club Annapurna Music Family got opportunity to participate there and perform at the closing ceremony of 9th night for being peaceful nation of Buddha's birthplace, though Kitaro was supposed to handle the stage at closing. After that he started to sing songs reggae of style with friends Indra Gurung (Flute), Sunil Gurung (Tabala), Minami and Terakado. After singing many songs of sorrow, pain and agony, along with his Japanese friends Ganta and Aayako, he established Namaste Band in Japan in 1989 A.D. Namaste Band participated in several musical programs of Japan and other countries as representative of Nepal. In 1990, Namaste Band launched its first CD Album 'Ekata' from Japan with Panche Lama and Santi Raymajhi and expanded Nepalese musical market in international market system. This established them as the first band in history of Nepalese Music and became popular within short period.
Namaste Band Contributed in Cultural exchange Program of Toyama Ken Togamura Village of Japan and Tukche village of Nepal as well as Toya gane city and Pokhara city. Namaste band made Nepalese music famous in international community with participation in different programs like International festival of Japan, No nukes one Love concert, Asian Music Festival, World Music festival, world Art Music Festival 2000 (Singapore), Autumn Flower music festival of Korea etc. In 1994 A.D. Namaste band arrived in Nepal with its own sound system and light system and organized a grand concert in Dasharath stadium of Kathmandu with support of huge audience at the occasion of Maha shiva Ratri. After 6 months of returning to Japan, Ishwor Gurung thought of working in Nepalese music by staying in Nepal with suggestion of Suvarna Limbu, Dev Rana and other senior artists. He along with coordination of late Prabin Gurung established Namaste cultural studio in between Dilli bazar and Newplaza. At that time, his studio recorded songs from 16 track to 24 track and also introduced ADT and analog Digital System for first time in Nepal. It soon got its height and became boon for hidden talents. His Studio produced famous songs of famous singers like Ambar Gurung, Ganesh Rashik, Ganga Bardan, Nepathaye, Lekali band, Robin and looza etc under supervision of late Arun Thapa. Within 1 year, studio progressed a lot and recorded songs of 1974 A.D, Axe band, Shadows etc. In 1995 Nepale band was established in Nepal with Santi Raymajhi and Pancha Lama in Dholak, Tabala and madal. In Japan, band had 4 members with 2 old Japanese friends and Nomura Yumi in Drum. On other hand, Nepalese members after the death of Prabin Gurung involved Amar Gurung(Pokhreli), Suraj Shrestha, Mahesh K.C. and Sudesh Kumar Shrestha in technical. Both teams participated in several Programs together as single Team. The band has performed several stage shows without any lost for the help of different social organizations. The band has started live concert on open sky ground for first time in Nepal. The band also recorded its name in Guinness book of world record by organizing peace concert in world's highest altitude at 5643 meter as promotional event of 'Visit Nepal 1998.' The band launched its second album 'Sandesh' at the same event. It even conducted several concerts from Mechi to Mahakali for 30 days at 29 main cities of Nepal for promotion of tourism.
Namaste band has been honored by several awards like Best Music in National Music Festival 2052 B.S, Best Singer, Best Lyricist and Best Music Award for song Shanti in 2056 B.S. The Band was honored even more when Namaste exercise was included in curriculum of Health and Physical education. The band has continuously served in musical field by organizing Mahashivaratri world Musical Festival for many years. At the event of 10th Mahashivaratri World Music Festival, Ishwor Gurung scarified his long deadlock hair of 17 years for the world Peace and prosperity.
Ishwor Gurung and the Namaste Band become News headlines in different international TV like –CNN, BBC, Aajtak etc. Different agencies – N.H.K, K.B.C, Young Asia Television etc made documentaries and several agencies published books on them. Ishwor Gurung even received Birendra Vaskar and Gorkha Dakshinbahu in recognition of his contribution from the state level. After Maoist revolution, Nepalese Music Industry and economy reached at its lowest phase, so he again settled in Japan and engaged to contribute Nepali Music and Songs establishing Nepal Japan Cultural Association, Rodhighar, Namaste Geet and Gajal etc. After Promulgation of constitution and stable government, he is planning to settle in Nepal and involve in promotion of Nepali music and art. He also ensured that Mahashiva Ratri Music Festival which used to be organized annually in Kathmandu and Pokhara and later in interval of 5/5 years would be organized annually after 30th edition of program in Kathmandu & Pokhara. He even mentioned that Namaste Cultural Studio would be reopened with its own building, high technical devices and skilled artists with name Namaste Music Academy.
Ishwor Gurung has stated that he would establish Namaste Music Academy from the surplus money obtained from 30th edition of program. He has planned to spend his life for the promotion of music, art, language, literature and culture by establishing recording studio, teaching musical higher education and continuing Mahashivaratri World Musical Festival. He has also planned to start late Arun Thapa musical prize, Late Prabin Gurung Musical Prize, Late Khemraj Gurung musical prize, to engage in social service and provide help during the time of natural calamities. Meanwhile, in New Year of 2075 B.S, Namaste band is celebrating its 30th annual occasion, singing loud to entertain all people of mountain, Hill, Terai and even international Community to make its 3rd decade anniversary historic movement.
Jay Shambhu/Jay kailash/Jay shree Pasupatinath protect us/ The peace messages of Lord Buddha remain in this world.