Recognised by many Nepali music enthusiasts, Dr Trishala Gurung initially had no intentions of becoming a singer. Reflecting on her school days, she recalls a strong passion for science and aspiring to pursue a medical career. “Watching my older brother become a doctor inspired me to follow the same path,” she shares.

Born in 1995 at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences Hospital in Dharan, Gurung’s early years were mainly focused on academics. However, while pursuing her medical degree, her passion for music truly ignited.

“I realised I could sing at a very young age, but my interest in music took off during my medical studies, and I haven't stopped since,” she recalls.

Growing up, she found solace in the timeless tunes of old Bollywood classics and the electrifying sounds of rock music. “I loved belting out the melodies of Aerosmith, and Steven Tyler’s voice resonated with me,” she says.

While her journey into medicine was influenced by her family’s emphasis on education—her brother was already a doctor when she chose her path—Gurung’s love for music never waned.

Following her School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams, now SEE, she seized the opportunity to enrol in vocal classes with the esteemed late Amber Gurung for about a month.

Reflecting on her experience, she recalls, “Those sessions provided invaluable insights, but as I transitioned into college life, my academic pursuits took precedence.”

Despite the demands of her medical studies, she found time to pursue her musical interests. However, it was the digital age that put Gurung into the spotlight.

Overnight, she found herself entangled in a web of fame on Instagram, with requests pouring in for acting, playback singing and brand endorsements. With added support from her loved ones, she embarked on her musical journey.

“Somehow, after 7 years, here I am juggling two careers I am passionate about,” she says.

As her cover songs gained popularity and reached a wider audience, Gurung began receiving song requests. “I dedicated myself to fulfilling my followers' requests, often singing the songs they asked for,” she says.

When she began posting on social media, she had a substantial following in India and a growing fan base in Nepal.

Recalling the beginnings, she said she sang a few covers for a company before parting ways. Undeterred, she decided to forge her path independently. “I started producing my music independently after I left the company,” she revealed.

Even though she set out to independently produce music, she held onto her dream of being a registered doctor. She kept working in music as she pursued her degree.

“It felt pointless at one moment, as I was working on my degree and on the other hand, I was focusing on music,” she explained. The contrast of these two careers made her ponder. However, she kept persevering.

The road to her debut album, ‘Aazad’, was not without its hurdles. Just as she was poised to launch it, the pandemic struck in 2020.

“I completed my degree from Nepal Medical College, got my license, and was finally working on my album. But then the world came to a halt,” she said.

Amidst the chaos of lockdown and uncertainty, Gurung found solace in her music and kept working on her album. Describing its significance, she expressed, “I wrote the title track ‘Aazad’ during the lockdown, and it’s a very special song to me,” she said.

Delving deeper into the song’s meaning, she revealed, “I wrote this for the people in search of hope and healing.”

Collaborating with artists such as Shadowmunky and Rohit Shakya, Gurung found support and inspiration. “Rohit and I are the producers of the album,” she shared, “We have known each other through music, and I am glad he is with me in my journey.” Shakya and Gurung tied the knot last year.

Reflecting on the release process of the album, which came out in 2022, Gurung shares, “The album could have been released a lot earlier had I known how the music industry works,” She candidly admitted her initial lack of understanding about the music industry, confessing, “I had no idea about the music business, neither did my artist management company,”

Looking back, Gurung shares, “I’ve come to understand that it’s not solely about becoming a doctor, a singer, or anything specific. It’s about striving to be the best version of yourself and finding joy in every moment of the process.”