If any lover of Nepali music is asked to name his or her favorite singer, the most likely name to be heard is that of Narayan Gopal. In fact, no one in the Nepali music industry has attained that height of excellence, and that degree of popularity. Even after decades of his death, Narayan Gopal continues to be the most beloved singer for Nepali people. In other words, he is an immortal singer.
Narayan Gopal was born on October 4, 1939. His full name is Narayan Gopal Gurubacharya. He was born into a Newar family in Kilagal Tole, Kathmandu to Asha Gopal Gurubacharya and mother Ram Devi Gurubacharya. His father was a classical musician and wanted his son to follow his footsteps. To the satisfaction of his father, Narayan Gopal became interested in music from his early years.
In 1959, Narayan Gopal completed his School Leaving Certificate (S.L.C) exams and obtained Bachelor of Art degree in Humanities from Tri-Chandra College. Later, he also went to Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda to study classical Indian music, but returned without completing his studies.
Narayan Gopal married Pemala Lama, one his admirers from Darjeeling, in 1970 at the age of thirty but they do not have any children. He had five brothers and six sisters.
As a singer, Narayan Gopal attained a height which few people might attain in the days to come. His close musical association with great composers like Natikaji, Gopal Yonjan, Ambar Gurung and Divya Khaling gave him an immortal height. With Gopal Yonjan, Narayan Gopal entered a long and more intimate relation, and the two took Nepali music to a golden height as composer and singer. The songs produced by the two are among the most admired songs in the history of Nepali music.
Most people know Narayan Gopal as a singer, but he was also a talented composer. Some of his songs are of his own composition. Other singers like Tara Devi and Phatteman Rajbhandari have also sung some of his finest compositions. Not only was he gifted with a great voice, he was very versatile. His voice range allowed him to sing songs of every genre.
Narayan Gopal has been accorded with title “Swor Samrat” — King of Melodies — which affirms his position as the supreme singer of Nepali music. He has sung over 500 songs, including in films and dramas. Most of his songs are melodies.
It is said that Narayan Gopal was very selective about which songs he sang. All songs he has sung are outstanding in some ways.
For his contribution in the field of Nepali music, he has received several national honors and awards. Best Composition and Best Singer awards by Radio Nepal, Ratna Record Award, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Fourth , Indra Rajya Laxmi Award, Chhinalata Award, Jagadamba Shree , Urbashi Rang Award , Trishakti Patta and several other honors bear testimony to his widespread popularity as a favorite singer of millions.
Narayan Gopal started singing with first generation of Nepali music, and sang his whole life. He also worked as the editor of a musical journal ‘Bageena’ and was Manager at Rastriya Naach Ghar. Apart from singing, he liked to spend considerable effort in organizing various events. He loved photography and he always loved to watch football. He was a good chess player too. He also sang in popular Dramas; Muna Madan of Laxmi Prasad Devkota and Nala Panina of Bal Krishna Sama. He was also adviser to the Ministry of Communication from for some time in 1989.
The greatest musical performance of Narayan Gopal was ‘Swornim Sandhya’ performed at Royal Nepal Academy Hall in 1990. It was his last and most popular musical concert.
Narayan Gopal had diabetes. He died on December 5, 1990 at Bir Hospital, in Kathmandu at the age of 51. When he died, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai and popular leader Ganesh Man Singh were among the top visitors. In the funeral procession that followed, the public turn-out was so huge that such a huge procession of admirers and fans have not been seen in the death of any singer thereafter.
He will always be forever remembered for his musical contribution to Nepali Music world.
(TGT Desk)