Music Nepal

Music Nepal is a Nepalese recording company and music distribution brand established in 1982 by Santosh Sharma. It began as a recording studio at a time when Nepal’s commercial music sector was still developing, using comparatively advanced studio infrastructure for its period to record Nepali-language music. The company became particularly associated with folk traditions from across Nepal and is credited with recording one of the earliest commercially produced Nepali folk duet songs in the dohori style, a form that has long been important in rural and popular Nepali musical culture. During its early decades, Music Nepal’s business was built around physical recordings, especially audio cassettes. It recorded, manufactured, and distributed music from multiple regions and genres, while maintaining a strong emphasis on folk repertory. As demand for folk recordings increased, the company played a role not only in commercializing the genre but also in preserving songs and performance traditions that might otherwise have had limited access to formal recording channels. Its catalog later broadened beyond folk music to include a wide range of Nepali popular and traditional styles. Music Nepal is also notable for its role in the institutional development of Nepal’s music industry. It was described as the first recording company in Nepal to formally pay royalties to artists. That practice helped improve artists’ economic circumstances and encouraged other private recording businesses to adopt similar arrangements. The company also contributed to discussions and practices that helped shape copyright law in Nepal. It was reportedly the first company to release dohori songs on compact disc, in the period corresponding to 1991–1992. The company created Music Nepal Sanjh, an annual recognition event associated with the cassette era. Artists were acknowledged for commercial success and contribution, with awards linked principally to cassette sales. As the market moved away from physical formats, the importance of cassette-based sales awards declined, but the event remains part of Music Nepal’s historical contribution to formal recognition within Nepal’s recording industry. In 2005, the company established Nepal Music Center in Kathmandu, described as a music school and research center, extending its activities beyond recording and distribution into education and research. It has also published lists of recordings from its catalog. The transition to digital media changed Music Nepal’s operating model. The company expanded from physical distribution into digital aggregation and international delivery of Nepali music. Its catalog has been distributed through major services and platforms including iTunes, Spotify, Sony Music Entertainment, and YouTube. In 2016, corresponding to 2074 in the Nepali calendar, it launched a mobile application intended to provide broader access to Nepali music through digital streaming. By 2020, its YouTube channel was reported as one of the most viewed entertainment channels originating in Nepal. Music Nepal’s catalog and associated artist roster have included influential Nepali performers and groups such as Narayan Gopal, Gopal Yonzon, Udit Narayan, Bishnu Majhi, Hira Devi Waiba, Sur Sudha, Nabin Bhattarai, Prem Raja Mahat, Raju Lama, Deep Shrestha, Karna Das, Jhalak Man Gandarbha, 1974 AD, and others. The company’s historical identity therefore combines record-label functions, archival preservation, artist recognition, copyright and royalty practices, and modern digital distribution. Its present importance lies in making a substantial body of Nepali music available through global streaming and video platforms while retaining its roots in Nepal’s physical recording era.

Music Nepal was founded in 1982 by Santosh Sharma as a recording studio and music company in Nepal. Its initial purpose was to record Nepali music using studio infrastructure that was considered advanced for the time. The company developed an early specialization in folk music from different parts of the country, including dohori, a traditional folk-duet form with strong roots in rural Nepal. Its recording of an early commercially produced dohori song helped establish its reputation as a significant participant in the formal recording of Nepali folk traditions. For much of its early history, Music Nepal operated in the physical-media economy. It recorded and distributed music primarily on audio cassettes, making regional folk repertory and popular Nepali music more accessible to listeners. The catalog gradually expanded beyond folk music into a broad selection of Nepali genres. The company is also credited with being the first Nepali recording company to formally pay royalties to artists. This practice provided an important source of income for performers and influenced other private recording companies. Music Nepal’s business practices also contributed to the development of copyright norms and law in Nepal. The company introduced further format changes as the market evolved. It was described as the first company to produce dohori geet on compact disc, in 2048 B.S., corresponding approximately to 1991–1992. In 2005, it founded Nepal Music Center in Kathmandu, a music school and research center. This initiative broadened the company’s role from commercial recording into music education, research, and cultural preservation. Music Nepal also organized Music Nepal Sanjh, an annual event that recognized artists according to cassette sales and other achievements during the physical-distribution era. Recipients and honorees included singers, songwriters, and musicians associated with Nepal’s recorded-music history. Music Nepal later shifted toward digital distribution as consumers moved from cassettes and discs to online services. It began functioning as an aggregator and distributor of Nepali music for audiences outside Nepal as well as at home. Its catalog has been made available through services including iTunes, Spotify, Sony Music Entertainment, and YouTube. The company launched a mobile application in 2016, or 2074 B.S., to support digital streaming and direct access to its music library. By 2020, its YouTube channel was reported to be among the most viewed entertainment channels originating in Nepal. The company’s historical catalog has included major Nepali artists and groups, including Narayan Gopal, Gopal Yonzon, Udit Narayan, Bishnu Majhi, Hira Devi Waiba, Sur Sudha, Nabin Bhattarai, Prem Raja Mahat, Raju Lama, Deep Shrestha, Karna Das, Jhalak Man Gandarbha, 1974 AD, and others. In 2018, a licensing dispute became associated with the company after Music Nepal claimed rights over VTEN’s recreation of the traditional song “Simsime Pani”; the recording was later removed. Music Nepal remains principally known as a Nepalese record label, catalog owner or administrator, and digital distributor with a longstanding role in the professionalization and preservation of Nepali recorded music.

• 2020

  YouTube channel reaches major Nepali audience

  [1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Music Nepal’s YouTube channel was reported as one of Nepal’s most viewed entertainment channels.

• 2018

  VTEN licensing controversy

  [1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Music Nepal claimed licensing rights over VTEN’s recreation of “Simsime Pani,” after which the recording was removed.

• 2016

  Music Nepal launches a mobile application

  [1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  The company launched a mobile application to expand digital access to Nepali music through streaming.

• 2005

  Nepal Music Center is founded

  [1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Music Nepal established Nepal Music Center in Kathmandu as a music school and research center.

• 1991

  Dohori music reaches compact disc through Music Nepal

  [1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Music Nepal was described as the first company to produce dohori geet on compact disc, in 2048 B.S., approximately 1991–1992.

• 1982

  Music Nepal is established

  [1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Santosh Sharma founded Music Nepal as a recording studio and music company focused on recording Nepali music.

A pioneering Nepali music company positioned at the intersection of recording, folk-music preservation, artist royalties, catalog management, and global digital distribution.

• Recorded music · 1982

  Physical music recordings

  Music Nepal built its early business around recording and distributing Nepali music on audio cassettes and later compact discs. Its catalog included folk, dohori, popular, and other regional and contemporary genres. Physical releases were central to the company’s artist-recognition system and helped circulate music beyond the locations where it was originally performed.

• Music catalog · 1982

  Folk and dohori catalog

  The company is strongly associated with Nepali folk music and dohori, including early commercial recordings of folk duets and subsequent compact-disc releases. This catalog functioned both as a commercial product line and as a means of documenting musical traditions from different parts of Nepal.

• Digital distribution

  Digital music distribution

  Music Nepal distributes and aggregates Nepali music for digital platforms and international audiences. Its distribution relationships and platform presence have included iTunes, Spotify, Sony Music Entertainment, and YouTube, allowing catalog recordings to move beyond Nepal’s former physical-media market.

• Music streaming application · 2016

  Music Nepal mobile application

  Launched in 2016, the Music Nepal mobile application was intended to provide a dedicated digital access point for Nepali music and support the company’s transition from cassette and disc distribution toward streaming.

• Music education and research · 2005

  Nepal Music Center

  Founded in Kathmandu in 2005, Nepal Music Center is a music school and research center created by Music Nepal. It represents the company’s educational and cultural-research activities alongside its recording and distribution operations.

• 2018

  Licensing dispute involving VTEN’s “Simsime Pani”

  After Nepali artist VTEN recreated the traditional folk song “Simsime Pani,” Music Nepal claimed the relevant license. The recording, which had gained substantial attention, was subsequently deleted. The episode highlighted tensions around licensing, derivative works, and rights administration in Nepal’s digital music environment.

  Source

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• 2018

  Assert licensing rights over a recreated folk songOther

  Background

  VTEN released a recreation of the traditional song “Simsime Pani,” which quickly attracted significant online attention.

  Action taken

  Music Nepal claimed the license associated with the recording, and the release was removed.

  Aftermath

  The incident became a notable public controversy concerning licensing and the control of traditional-song adaptations in Nepal’s digital music market.

  Source

• 2016

  Launch a dedicated music applicationProduct launch

  Background

  Listeners were increasingly moving from physical recordings to online and mobile music services.

  Action taken

  Music Nepal launched its own mobile application to support digital streaming and improve access to its Nepali music catalog.

  Aftermath

  The application formed part of the company’s broader transition into digital distribution and worldwide catalog access.

  Source

• 2005

  Expand into music education and researchStrategy

  Background

  Music Nepal’s activities had developed beyond recording and distribution into broader cultural and industry functions.

  Action taken

  The company established Nepal Music Center in Kathmandu as a music school and research center.

  Aftermath

  The initiative gave Music Nepal an institutional role in music education and research in addition to its commercial catalog operations.

  Source

• 1982

  Build a formal Nepali recording operationStrategy

  Background

  Nepali music was entering a more organized commercial recording era, while many regional and folk traditions had limited access to professional studio production.

  Action taken

  Music Nepal began as a recording studio and company dedicated to recording and distributing Nepali music, with an early emphasis on folk repertory.

  Aftermath

  The company became an important participant in the formalization, preservation, and commercialization of Nepali recorded music.

  Source

• 2020

  Music Nepal’s YouTube channel becomes a major Nepali entertainment destination[1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Music Nepal’s YouTube channel was reported as one of the most viewed entertainment channels originating from Nepal, reflecting the company’s transition from physical recordings to digital distribution.

• 2016

  Music Nepal launches a mobile application for Nepali music access[1]Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Music Nepal introduced its own mobile application as part of its shift toward digital streaming and wider access to Nepali music.

1. 1Music Nepalen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Music Nepal official websitemusicnepal.com