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ARTISTS FOR 2023
From adding charm to our mundane days to narrating our culture and history, Music is a truly magical creation. While we're witnessing the era of techno beats and EDM, the nostalgic melody of folk instruments is irreplaceable for any community. Kholey Dai 3.० is going to be a gathering of folk musicians, bands, and artists from Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, North East India, and Nepal. Come along to hum with the melancholy murchunga and dance to the beats of the Damphu.
Bipul Chettri is a singer/songwriter from Kalimpong, based in New Delhi.
His music is reminiscent of tunes and melodies long forgotten in the passage of time, drawing influence from the traditional sounds of the Himalayas.His melodies are based in the Himalayas, and his lyrics are frequently inspired by nature's and life's beauty. He has been a Voting member for the Recording Academy/Grammys for the year 2022-23 and continues to be so for 2023-24 as well.
He has toured and performed in the USA, U.K., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, UAE and across cities in India and Nepal.
His music is reminiscent of tunes and melodies long forgotten in the passage of time, drawing influence from the traditional sounds of the Himalayas.His melodies are based in the Himalayas, and his lyrics are frequently inspired by nature's and life's beauty. He has been a Voting member for the Recording Academy/Grammys for the year 2022-23 and continues to be so for 2023-24 as well.
He has toured and performed in the USA, U.K., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, UAE and across cities in India and Nepal.
Pushpan Pradhan is a celebrated folk musician, lyricist, composer and singer from Dooars (Chalouni Tea garden) . His songwriting does not revolve around fiction or fantasy but is downright practical. His songs are about the struggle of toiling masses, about freedom and injustice. He writes about stories that mainstream music fails to refuge. He blends folk and freestyle creating unique compositions. He rose to fame with his song ‘Baba Ka Jungo’ and has released many popular songs like Panchi, Sir Sir Hawa ma, etc. He has been one of the judges of the famous reality show Voice of Nepal season 4. He has performed in various countries with his band known as पुष्पन अनि सारथी Pushpan and Sarthi.
Purna Rai Purna Rai is a Nepalese singer/songwriter from Dharan. His songs are always soulful and tell us stories. He came to stardom with his song Manaka kura which has more than 16 MILLIONS views on YouTube.
A refreshingly original music that will leave the mass in awe, “ghugu’mugu” is an answer that renders diversity through their captivating music. a promising trio of like minded musicians having sarod player Anurag “Koinch” Thapa, guitarist Kishor Maharjan and percussionist and drummer Ajay Shrestha. The trio’s receptiveness, observance and understanding of what life beholds embodies an array of influences ranging from local and folk music, western classical, jazz, indian classical, etc. Based in Kathmandu, the trio intends to take their music on a global stage remaining aloof and distinguishable from mainstream music.
Mookhuri is a (traditional and folk) band formed in the year 2014.
The name “Mookhuri” refers to the three stones cooking stove found in most of the kitchens in Meghalaya, It refers to a traditional way of cooking in local kitchens that requires 3 suitable stones of the same height to balance any pots or kettles over a fire. The band came up with the name “Mookhuri” because it is believed that music in the khasi tribal community begins from the hearth where the three stones lie.
Ever since it was formed, the band has performed at different parts of our state playing folk and traditional songs. The band has also come up with more than 10 original compositions and has been performed at many functions and occasions in Meghalaya.
The name “Mookhuri” refers to the three stones cooking stove found in most of the kitchens in Meghalaya, It refers to a traditional way of cooking in local kitchens that requires 3 suitable stones of the same height to balance any pots or kettles over a fire. The band came up with the name “Mookhuri” because it is believed that music in the khasi tribal community begins from the hearth where the three stones lie.
Ever since it was formed, the band has performed at different parts of our state playing folk and traditional songs. The band has also come up with more than 10 original compositions and has been performed at many functions and occasions in Meghalaya.
Shreedhya- Born in Siliguri, Snehshree and Sannidhya Thapa were initially trained in Hindustani Classical Music. While Snehshree went ahead to complete her M.Mus in Hindustani classical music, Sannidhya chose to take western vocals and is now studying Music at St. Anthony's Shillong. The sisters come from a family of musicians and consider their parents as a source of inspiration. Together they started the Ashok Rai School of Music Siliguri in 2019 as a tribute to their Grandfather where they teach Indian classical and western contemporary vocal music.
Biswajit is a gold medalist in Tabla from Benaras Hindu University. Under the mentorship of Pt. Praveen Uddhav ( Disciple of Padmashree Pt. Suresh Talvakar) completed his Masters's in Indian Classical music from Banaras Hindu University. He holds keen interest in traditional instruments such as Marchunga (Jaw Harp), Djembe Didgeriddoo, Ektara Mongolian Throat Singing and various other local instruments that are locally used in Kalimpong. He also experiments with his voice and hands in creating new sounds.
Prashida Rai is a poet, composer, and singer who enjoys free form and folk music. Through mellifluous melodies, he pulls together a vivid cacophony of nature in his music with his band Machaan, who is based in Margaret's Hope, Kurseong.
The majority of his songs are about freedom, equality, and social justice for people and tea workers.
Through his music, he vocally campaigns for the rights and equality of tea garden workers, singing for social justice.
The majority of his songs are about freedom, equality, and social justice for people and tea workers.
Through his music, he vocally campaigns for the rights and equality of tea garden workers, singing for social justice.
Ashok Rai School of Music , Siliguri is a hub for all music enthusiasts as it covers a range of subjects from Indian Classical Vocal to Western Contemporary Vocal. It also imparts knowledge of various instruments such as Tabla, Keyboard, and Guitar.
Known as Sumi Cooked That, Sumiran Rana has been producing music since 2020 and works as an audio engineer, composer, arranger, and producer from Kalimpong, West Bengal.
As a multi-genre music producer, Sumiran has worked on songs in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. As such, he has produced music with catchy hooks, groovy melodies, and head-banging riffs.
Sumiran completed his diploma in sound engineering in 2022 at the Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism in Pune. His commitment to his profession and great work ethic are genuinely inspirational.
Sumiran constantly pushes the boundaries of his work in an effort to succeed at it.
As a multi-genre music producer, Sumiran has worked on songs in a variety of genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, and R&B. As such, he has produced music with catchy hooks, groovy melodies, and head-banging riffs.
Sumiran completed his diploma in sound engineering in 2022 at the Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism in Pune. His commitment to his profession and great work ethic are genuinely inspirational.
Sumiran constantly pushes the boundaries of his work in an effort to succeed at it.
Adarsh Biswakarma is a multi-instrumentalist who primarily expresses himself through the guitar. He has been playing and producing music since a young age and has collaborated with several projects and bands in the hills, including Yeti Kpg, the Sailenee experience, entropy, monkey business, Himalayan Shamans, black project, and others, and has performed around the country at various venues and festivals.
Based in the Kalimpong District, Warnamala Pariwar engages in a variety of social and environmental activities as well as education. Warnamala means "Garland of Alphabets," which is a literal translation of our labor. Projects Warnamala A children's book and animated film series that teach the Devnagari script, which is used in both Hindi and Nepali. For the past ten years, they have been hosting events to promote the ethnic languages and cultures of the Himalayas. The goal is to deceive kids into learning a song that inadvertently teaches them the alphabet.
Deoashish Mothey a musician and also a passionate lyrical activist. He uses his musical talents as a powerful tool for raising awareness and educating people about creating clean environments. As the founder of Warnamala Pariwar, Deoashish has a vision of integrating music into primary education for children through innovative means such as animation, illustrations, books, alphabet games, and transforming children's poems into engaging songs with animated content.
He has initiated an ongoing campaign known as "Teesta Calling," which focuses on the Teesta River, the sole river flowing through the Eastern Himalayas of Sikkim. Deoashish is deeply committed to preserving this vital natural resource. In addition to his educational and environmental endeavors, Deoashish is a vital member of the Three Seas Cross Cultural Band, a musical group dedicated to representing the unique sounds of Darjeeling and the Himalayas.
Deoashish Mothey a musician and also a passionate lyrical activist. He uses his musical talents as a powerful tool for raising awareness and educating people about creating clean environments. As the founder of Warnamala Pariwar, Deoashish has a vision of integrating music into primary education for children through innovative means such as animation, illustrations, books, alphabet games, and transforming children's poems into engaging songs with animated content.
He has initiated an ongoing campaign known as "Teesta Calling," which focuses on the Teesta River, the sole river flowing through the Eastern Himalayas of Sikkim. Deoashish is deeply committed to preserving this vital natural resource. In addition to his educational and environmental endeavors, Deoashish is a vital member of the Three Seas Cross Cultural Band, a musical group dedicated to representing the unique sounds of Darjeeling and the Himalayas.
FOLK DANCE
To revive the tradition and culture, many dying folk arts like Maruni, Tamang Selo, Silli dances will be presented by local groups from nearby villages and tribal boards. The performance will remind us of the significance that such arts hold in the everyday life of the local community.
Silli Dance
Lepcha Folk dance
Maruni Dance
Tamang Selo
Limbu Cultural Group
Damai Cultural Group
Mangar Cultural Group
Khas Cultural Group
Bhujel Cultural Group
Sarki Cultural Group
Dhan Naach
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