FACTS ARE ALWAYS BITTER....WE ARE BORN TO DIE!!!

Bisham Thakuri
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Veteran singer, Shiva Shankar Manandhar is no more with us but he lives on. His creations has not faded and he is still widely talked about. For sure, his birth might have been the most joyous news for his family but it is also doubtless that we were blessed when he lived. And it is but a bitter fact to even think and remember that he has passed away. Whatever it may be, he has continued living...with us and in us.

Shiva Shankar Manander was born on February 22, 1932 in Kathmandu, in an auspicious occasion of Shiva Ratri. Because he was born on that day his father Man Bahadur Manandhar and mother Ram Maya decided to name their son "Shivajee". But it was after singing his first song in Radio Nepal that he was called Shiva Shankar. Reason? The anchor gave him that name and since then it has but not changed!

Shiva Shankar comes from a musical background. His father and his grandfather were music lovers and it is no wonder to know he was grown up in a musical environment. As a result, from his early days, Shiva Shankar had a keen interest in music. Soon after completing his studies till Secondary School Level, Shiva Shankar but concentrated only in music. When in school he was a personal favorite of his teachers and friends because of his talent in singing. By now, he was already a household name in his neighborhood and was widely popular in his school. During this time only, Radio Nepal was established and he received a call from them proposing him to sing for them. On May 15, 1951, he started singing for Radio Nepal with which he got an opportunity to excel his talent. He fully utilized the opportunity, bestowed on him and as time passed by outshined as a musician and a singer.

After this, he started setting landmark in the Music Industry of Nepal. He was a proficient in singing classical, modern, patriotic and even folk songs and his talent was popularized all around. He was highly admired by late King Mahendra, so much that the King also couldn't help meeting him. And it is no surprise to know that King Mahendra had send Shiva Shankar to Calcutta for the recording of his songs and he even bear his trip and recording expenses. This had but boosted Shiva Shankar to do more and excel his talent.

During that period, Hindi songs in compare to Nepali numbers were highly listened by Nepali people. Then, there was no such big contribution done and made by the Nepali artistes. But Shiva Shankar didn't lose hope and confident. He kept on struggling and didn't stop doing his part to promote Nepali music via Radio Nepal. He worked diligently to unite all the Nepali artists in Nepal, under one roof and kept on encouraging them to promote the Nepali music and Nepali Music Industry.

It is good to know that his hard work and determination towards music didn't go unnoticed. His hard work was paid as he was honored with the title 'Gorkha Dakchin Bahu', 'Bikhyat Trishakti Padak' and 'Birendra Aishwarya Sewa Padak'. Not only that, he was also esteemed with 'Chinnalata Puraskar' and attributed with the respect 'Mahadev'.

Shiva Shankar had shown proficiency in both singing and in composing music but he got more recognition by making music. He has sang around 400 songs and has composed for more than three thousand songs. No doubt, he was the number one in what he was doing but he was also considered number one in his acting skills. He acted in a lead role in 'Aama' -- the first film in Kollywood. As a result he was presented with Rs 5000 along with the title 'Mahendra Ratna Abhusan' by Late King Mahendra.

He was though not actively involved in his acting career. He just appeared in few of the documentaries and the one and only film 'Aama'. But he had given his music in four of the Nepali movies. Besides producing music for movies, modern and classical songs he had also given his music in theaters and various dance.

He had at first joined Radio Nepal in a post of 'Khardar' and within few years had become 'Nayeb Subba'. But with the King's order in 1976, he started working in Radio Nepal as a Section Officer of the Musical Department. He earned his living sometimes working as a manager for Nepali Classical Music and sometimes working as a general manager for Ratna Recording Organization.

Because of his dedication towards music, in the age of 42 he went to Illahabad, India and studied music and received a degree in the music field from Prayag Music Commitee. Indeed this speaks volume of his love for music. During this tenure he even toured different countries, to name few are India, China, North Korea, Russia and Burma, for programmes and wherever he went he was able to create his mark.

Shiva Shankar was widely known everywhere. He had many fans who idolized him!. In particular he had many female fans but his dream girl was the one and only Badri Kumari Manadhar. To whom he later got married at the age of 24. Well...it was an arrange marriage! Later they had three children -- Gauri Shankar, Ravi Shankar and Sashi Shankar. Their children are also interested in music but has not taken it professionally!

Till the end of his days, Shiva Shankar was actively involved in music. He expired on November 14, 2004. And that was the day, the music lovers of Nepal...precisely his fans, his follower and his devotee who felt...they were but left ....paralyzed! A maestro had gone...forever. And what has remain is his footsteps...the path that he has shown to the Music Industry of Nepal. If one works sincerely and with full dedication than there is no doubt about the industry not growing and prolonging. And that is how we can pay our tribute and homage to him. We -- the fursad.com -- salutes Shiva Shankar for his contribution towards music...always!!!