Narayan Gopal

Narayan Gopal Gurubacharya (Nepali: नारायण गोपाल गुरबाचार्य) (4 October 1939 – 5 December 1990), known professionally as Narayan Gopal and N. Gopal was a popular singer and composer of Nepali music. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons in Nepal, he is referred to as "Swar Samrat" (Nepali: स्वर सम्राट, meaning: Emperor of Voice) in Nepal. He also sang in Nepal Bhasa.

Owing to his vocal range he was capable of singing songs of every Nepalese genre. Often, his songs were accompanied by the sitar, harmonium and flute. He was also a music director from the 1950s to the 70s and belongs to the first generation of professional Nepali singers. His songs have been showcased in several movies and dramas across the country.

Narayan Gopal released more than 137 songs during his lifetime, his first few songs were composed by his friends Prem Dhoj Pradhan and Manik Ratna. Although several original recordings have been lost over the years, their lyrics and cover versions remain accessible online.

Gopal was one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century and received many awards during his lifetime.

Narayan Gopal Guruacharya was born on 18 Ashoj 1996 B.S. in Kilagal Tole, Kathmandu, Nepal to Asha Gopal Guruacharya and Ram Devi Guruacharya. He was born into a traditional Newar family and had five brothers and three sisters. He completed the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in 2016 B.S. and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in humanities from Tri-Chandra College. He also went to the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India to study Indian classical music but returned to Nepal without completing his studies. He married Pemala Lama in 1971.

Later he joined the Rashtriya Naach Ghar (National Dance Theater) and rose to the post of manager (hakim). He also worked as the editor of the musical journal Bageena for its first three issues. He became the managing director of 'Sanskritik Sansthan (Cultural Center)' and adviser to the Ministry of Communication and he was an associate professor at Lalit Kala Campus. He wrote a musical drama titled Kanchi Masyang (कान्छी मस्याङ)'.

The potential of his vocal talent was first recognized by his friend "Manik Ratna Sthapit", who lived in the neighboring Pyukha Tole, and Prem Dhoj Pradhan, who lived in Bheda Singh Tole. The three friends would practice singing Hindi songs together at Manik Ratna's house, which had become a de facto music school since his uncle, Siddhi Ratna Sthapit, was an accomplished instrumentalist. After Gopal completed his SLC exams, Prem Dhoj Pradhan took him to Radio Nepal for a voice test. There, Gopal sang "Panchi ko pankha ma dharti ko diyo," a song written by Dr. Ram Man Trishit and composed by Prem Dhoj Pradhan himself. Gopal passed the voice test on his first attempt. His first public musical performance was during the 40th anniversary celebration of Tri Chandra College, where he played the role of a tabla player.

By that time Prem-Manik duo had started to sing their own compositions. Following suit, Narayan Gopal composed six original songs written by the contemporary poet Ratna Shumsher Thapa. In that collection four of the songs were for solo vocal ('स्वर्गकी रानी', 'आँखाको भाखा आँखैले', 'भो भो मलाई नछेक', 'मधुमासमा यो दिल') and two were for duet ('बिछोडको पीडा' र 'ए कान्छा ठट्टैमा यो बैंश जानलाग्यो'). All these songs were eventually recorded in Kolkata, India, while he was in that country for his studies. These songs started to attract attention within Nepal and India.