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SUGAM POKAREL

Sugam's childhood
Sugam spent the golden days of his life, his childhood, in Biratnagar, the place where he first opened his eyes. An average child and a mediocre student, Sugam admits to have been a very introvert and a shy lad in his earlier days. “ It was only after class eight that I finally succeeded in overcoming my shyness. Then, life changed. I was more social and started spending a lot of time outside the periphery of my house. Otherwise, I was a very self centered child. ” He remembers. His interests and hobbies were like most of the boys of his age. Wandering around needlessly and listening to music reigned supreme. He used to listen to songs of Sanjay Shrestha, Deep Shrestha and Harish Mathema in those days which also unknowingly influenced him proceed his destiny.

Sugam's bygone days in the music scenario
“I was always interested in music. I used to sing lots of songs in school functions, gatherings etc. People appreciated my voice and I felt proud of it” Sugam smiles. He never aimed to become a singer but the aspiration to establish his individual identity remained prior. Thus, soon after his SLC, he rushed to Kathmandu in search of a platform to explore his dreams and ideas. It was the year BS. 2052. “ As per my interest and desire, I used to sing a lot. I used to stay with my elder brother, Sunil Pokharel. In this interval, another desire took birth in me, the wish to record a song. Therefore, with some pocket money that I had saved, I and friend Sudin Pokharel recorded a song with our own compositions.” Sugam candidly mentions. It was the song “Ma Maaya Garchu”. Though the song was recorded, it was not released. “ We were really thrilled to hear our recorded song. But even then, we did not release the song because the song lacked good lyrics and composition. ” Sugam clarifies the reason. After couple of months, they attempted to record another song“ Payera Timilai” The programme that I was hosting was related with music which helped me develop psychologically with music. I received the opportunity to learn about the musical status of the country and listen to the current musical trends as well. It was a stepping stone in my voyage. ” He states. “ The days were hard. I was working and pursuing my studies as well. Time management was a tough task for me, at that time. ”
Sugam's musical voyage
Finally in the end of the year 2058, Sugam recorded his third song “ Mero Sansar” which comprised of his own lyrics and composition. The song was released. People loved the song. Sugam Pokhrel was successful to throw an impact on the music lovers. Then followed another single song “ Pheri Tyo din” which successfully captured the no. 1 position of music countdowns for months and months. With two popular single songs in a row, Sugam's debut album “Shunya” hit the music stands. The album was a great success. Overnight, Sugam Pokharel turned into a popular music star. Journalists lined up for his interview, photographers waited for photo sessions,his fans quested to feel his lively presence. “ Truly speaking, I had not expected so much of success from Shunya. The appreciation I received was overwhelming. My hard work of past so many years had bore such a lovely fruit.” Sugam laughs. “People started recognizing me as I walked through the streets. Giving interviews, receiving fan mails, visualizing myself on the television screens were new experiences to me. That was also the moment I realized that I was popular. “Sugam's aspirations are in fact his inspirations. He defines himself as a sentimental singer and his songs as catchy melodious songs. Music is a feeling to him which arises from the heart and strikes the heart. “Music is like love.” He beautifully quotes. Sugam declines to address himself as a popsinger. Rather, he says that he is only a singer and his songs are post modern songs.Sugam says that his mood play an important role in giving birth to a song. Of course, his songs contain a vision. Concepts and themes revolve around different phases of life like love, pains, tears etc. Then comes lyrics, composition, singing and music arrangements respectively. “ Music is a gift, a gift of God. It is a flow of feelings also. Sometimes, I have taken months to compose a song while sometimes I have completed it in few minutes.” The singer admits. “ I also try to enlighten a message in each of my songs. Pheri Tyo Din ma,Past sabaiko huncha tara samjhera aaja lai khera nafaalau, bholi lai nabhigarau bhanne sandesh dina khojeko chu. A song has a great impact on the masses. So, I take special care that my songs do not spread a wrong message.“ With an outsider's view, pop music seem to target only young groups. What does the singer have to say about it? “
Sugam, personally and musically
Listening to music, watching television and playing guitar are his favorite pastimes. He also reads novels of Laxmi Prasad Devkota and Dhruva Chandra Gautam. “ I am moody, I get angry soon. If I start a work, I have to finish it by any means." He explains his personal habits. Generally, he does not travel in the world of internet but sometimes, peeps an eye at Cybernepal. “ I enjoy the site. With regular updates and interesting contents, CyberNepal is steadily climbing its ladders. The promotion that the site has done for my album Highway has helped me a lot. “ Sugam states. The couple of hours that I spent with the singer have resulted into one distinctive conclusion- Sugam Pokharel is a singer desiring to surpass higher, higher and higher. During the rendezvous, his eyes revealed his heart. “ I have to do something much more.” He repeated time to time. I gestured to ask lots of questions to the singer. Some of them are listed below.
What kind of public responses have you received from your second album “ Highway” ?
The response is good, though not overwhelming because of the critical situation of the country. As before, I have not received feed backs from all around Nepal. When I released my first album, the country's situation was bad, now it is worst. With blood baths all over, who would love to listen to a romantic or a sentimental song? So, the music eagerness is decreasing day by day and the music markets also. Not only my album, but the whole music industry is suffering.
What do you feel visualizing the present situation?
If the same situation continues for some years, I am afraid, I'll have to stop singing. Only after the situation will go better, then perhaps, I will start singing. Singing is our profession, not just our interest. Commercially, we need to survive as well. So, if there is no profit in the sales, there is no reason for the music companies to overflow lots of money in producing a qualitative album.
Any last words.....
Keep listening and loving Nepali music!

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