Aruna Lama is one of the well-known singers of Nepali music. She is popularly known as "The Nightingale of the Hills". She sang hundreds of Nepali songs, including some for Nepali films, and left an indelible mark as one of the best singers in Nepali music.

Biography

Aruna Lama was born on September 9, 1945 at Ghoom Pahar, Darjeeling, India to Surya Bahadur Lama and Sanmaya Lama. Her uncle CB Lama inspired her to sing from the age of 7. She won a music competition organized by the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan (GDNS) in 1956 at the age of 11 and then she never looked back. Amber Gurung

Amber Gurung

-Early life:Amber Gurung was born in Darjeeling, India, where his father, Ujir Singh Gurung, a former soldier in the British Indian Army, was serving as a policeman. His mother encouraged him to sing and compose as a child, and he taught himself to play both Indian and Western instruments...

, one of the stalwarts of Nepali music, groomed her in singing from 1958. Aruna Lama did her schooling at Mungpoo Primary School, Jalpahar, and St. Teresa's School, Darjeeling. She completed her graduate degree in arts from Darjeeling Government College. In 1963, Aruna Lama married Saran Pradhan, another Nepali musician. In 1974, her husband died and she was left with her two children. She worked hard to raise them, working as an assistant teacher in St. Alphonsus School (1965) and finally found work at the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare Office in Darjeeling where she worked till 1998. She continued to sing even with all her struggles till the end of her life.

Music

Aruna Lama sang for numerous music composers, most notably Amber Gurung, Karma Yonzon

Karma Yonzon

Karma Yonzon is a Darjeeling-based Nepali music composer. He is the brother of another Nepali musician Gopal Yonjan.He has composed music for numerous singers like Narayan Gopal, Aruna Lama, Dilmaya Khati, Kumar Subba, Dasiy Baraili and Pema Lama...

, Gopal Yonjan

Gopal Yonjan

Gopal Yonjan is a one of the most prominent music composer, director, lyricist, singer and music arranger in the history of Nepali music. Gopal Yonjan has over 2000 musical compositions to his credit, ranging from folk, classical, modern to Western music....

, Shanti Thatal, Narayan Gopal

Narayan Gopal

Narayan Gopal Guruacharya is the most prominent and popular singer and composer in the history of Nepali music. He is popularly referred to as "Swar Samrat" in Nepali music. He is also known as "Tragedy King." He is well known as a singer as well as a composer...

, Mani Kamal Chettri and Dibya Khaling

Dibya Khaling

Dibya Khaling is a famous Nepali musician, composer and lyricist.-Music:Dibya Khaling has rendered music for about 1000 songs, including the famous Ma Ta Laligurans Bhayechhu, Hey Bir Hinda Aghi Sari, Malai Na Sodha Kaha Dukhchha Ghau, Preyasika Yaadharu, Mayako Aadharma, and Bipana Babhaye...

. Her first song was composed by Amber Gurung with lyrics of Bhupi Sherchan

Bhupi Sherchan

Bhupi Sherchan is a Nepalese poet. He was born on Mustang district in 1993 B.S. and died in 2046 B.S. . He went to Banaras College. He was awarded with Sajha Puraskar in 2026 B.S. ....

 in 1961. Some of her classic hits include 'Eh Kanchha Malai Sunko Tara', 'Phool Lai Sodhey', 'Pohor Saal Khusi Phatyo', 'Hera Na Hera Kanchha', 'Laharey Bara Ghumauney Chautari', 'Eklai Basda' and 'Nepali Gaurav Garchau Afnaipanma'. She also sang for a number of Nepali films, such as 'Maitighar', 'Paral Ko Aagho' and 'Kanchhi', and these film songs are remembered even today. Some of her notable musical performances include Raag Rajat at Gorkha Rangamanch, Darjeeling 1981; Arunanjali at Pragya Bhawan, Kathmandu; and Aruna Lama Swarnim Saanjh at Pragya Bhawan, Kathmandu.

Awards

Aruna Lama received numerous awards both in Nepal and India for her singing and contribution to Nepali music. Some of these awards include Sangit Puraskar (1966),
Sur Sringar Sammelan Puraskar (1966), Mitrasen Puraskar (Assam Nepali Sahitya /Sanskritik Parishad 1975), Dishari Puraskar (Kolkata 1980), Bhanu Academy Puraskar (Darjeeling 1982), Nepali Chalchitra Puraskar (for Maiti Ghar 1983), Chinnlata Geet Puraskar (Kathmandu 1992), Urvashi Rang Puraskar (Kathmandu 1992), Mitrasen Sangeet Puraskar (Gangtok 1995), Gorkha Dakshina Bahu

Gorkha Dakshina Bahu

Gorkha Dakshin Bahu is one of the highest honors given traditionally by the King and now the President of Nepal. It can be awarded to both the military and civilians including foreign nationals for the distinguished contribution to the country in the field of arts, literature, sports, science, and...

4th (Kathmandu 1996), Sadhna Puraskar (Kathmandu), Nightingale of the Hills (Hindustan Recording Sangsthan, Kolkata), Swar Kinnari (Sitaram Sahitya Pratisthan, Kathmandu) and Swar Samagri (Arunanjali Programme, Kathmandu).

Songs

Eh Kanchha Malai Sunko Tara

Phool Lai Sodhey

Pohor Saal Khusi Phatyo

Nepali Gaurav Garchau Afnaipanma

Manma Timro

Hanga Hanga

Aankhama Mero

Udas Mero

Chautarima Basera

Eklai Basda

Sabaile Bhanthe

Hera Na Hera Kanchha

Aankhaharule

Laharey Bara Ghumauney Chautari

Udi Jaaun Bhane Panchi Hoina (Movie: Paral Ko Aagho)

Himalsari Ma (Movie: Kanchhi)

Yee Timra Muskan (Movie: Kanchhi)

Kala Kala Sala Sala (Movie: Kanchhi)

External links

• Nepalicollections.com - Aruna Lama's songs