Aman Mali has wanted to do something in music since he was a boy. Today, he is a professional flautist and multi-instrumentalist with over 12 years of experience in teaching and performing. He is also a Kuma Sagar and Khwopa band member, where his flute skills complete the band.

In ninth grade, a monk’s flute playing inspired him, sparking his interest in the instrument. With the monk's guidance, he purchased a flute for Rs400 in Jamal and learned the basics. Eager to refine his skills, he searched for flute classes the day after his SLC exams but couldn’t find any. Eventually, a friend recommended Om Sangeet Pathshala in Bhaisepati, where he enrolled. He recalls walking 45 minutes daily from Thecho to attend lessons, saying, “I was excited to learn the flute, and my days at the Pathshala started it all.”

He completed a four-year diploma in Eastern Classical Music at Om Sangeet Pathshala, affiliated with Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad. After finishing the course, though these sessions were irregular, he occasionally took lessons from Narendra Bikram Rai, a teacher at Om Sangeet Pathshala. As of now, Mali is pursuing a specialised two-year Jazz Diploma in Saxophone and Concert Flute at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. In addition to the flute, he plays several other instruments, including the tabla, saxophone, harmonium, guitar, harmonica, and djembe. He shares, “I know the basics of almost all instruments played using the mouth.”

He recalls his first live performance at Utsav Restaurant in Durbar Marg, describing it as a memorable yet challenging experience. “I didn’t know much back then. My teacher sent me to play the flute as I knew it, but I had no experience playing with a team since I was used to performing solo,” he says. After a month at the restaurant, he formed the Nawa Durga Band with friends from his locality, where he also played guitar and practised flute. He fondly remembers a gig with Subani Moktan, where he taught himself to adapt flute scales to suit different songs.

Mali later formed the Render Band, which marked the beginning of consistent restaurant gigs. This band provided him with a stable income and opened doors to performing at numerous venues.

During this time, he began teaching flute at Little Angels’ School, where he continues to teach today. After a few years with Render Band, he had the opportunity to join the renowned 1974 AD band for a year when they were restructuring their lineup. He was introduced to the band by Rojman Maharjan, a Kuma Sagar and Khwopa Band member, whom Mali had met at Om Sangeet Pathshala.

His time with 1974 AD allowed him to participate in a Pokhara tour and perform at prestigious events such as the Hits FM Music Awards, the Image Awards, and other high-profile shows and venues. Reflecting on this experience, he shares, “Working with 1974 AD helped me reach new heights. It was a wonderful opportunity to be part of the band I grew up listening to.”

While working with 1974 AD, Mali had the opportunity to perform in a charity show in France organised by Nepali Youth Om Peace. During the month-long tour, he performed three shows in France and Switzerland, including a collaboration with a Swiss choir group called Eloquence. He recalls, “I was the only Nepali musician in the group and had a great experience. It was my first time travelling outside Nepal, and I had a meaningful experience.”

Upon returning to Nepal, Mali took on various freelance projects, collaborating with artists in several studios. He later joined Kuma Sagar and Rojman Maharjan for a concert in Biratnagar following the release of their song ‘Champa’. After returning to Kathmandu, the song became popular. Mali shares, “Our vibe matched, and we later decided to record the song ‘Hawa ko Lahar’ at our own homes, which eventually led to me becoming a band member. I’ve played the flute in every song of Kuma Sagar that came after ‘Hawa ko Lahar’.”

Mali has collaborated with many artists, including Rohit John Chhetri, Swopna Suman, Subani Moktan, and Kunti Moktan. He has also played the flute in four songs by Rojman Maharjan: ‘Salugu Gacha’, ‘Aila Luwaya’, ‘Makhan Twa ya Gwa’, and ‘Maya Madula’. He says, “I recorded the flute from my home and sent it to him.”

When reflecting on his most memorable performance, he recalls a recent concert with Kuma Sagar and Khwopa Band in Banepa. “The crowd was huge and wild; even the police couldn’t control them. I’ve never seen such a crowd,” he shares.

Mali views the flute as a versatile instrument that blends into various genres. He explains, “It works well in folk, fusion, classical, and even jazz music. The flute is one of the major instruments in Nepal and is used in all kinds of songs and music. Since joining the jazz diploma course, a new dimension has opened up for me.” He has also explored playing other flutes, including the pan flute from France and the Hulusi from China.

Mali is also passionate about teaching: “Teaching what I know is a rewarding experience. I am happy to see youths eager to learn the flute, as they are the ones who will shape the future of the music industry.”

He also encourages people to listen to good, quality music, “Simply having more listeners isn’t enough; we need literate listeners. They should be aware of good, quality music, which will help promote and popularise quality songs.”

In addition to teaching, Mali runs a YouTube channel where he shares videos of himself playing and teaching the flute.

Mali plans to open a music institute in the future, as there are no such institutions in his locality. He also hopes to create and perform his own instrumental album in the coming years. He is looking forward to his upcoming Australia tour with Kuma Sagar and Khwopa Band.

Mali advises aspiring musicians to work diligently and practice with patience and consistency. He says, “It may seem glamorous from the outside, but a lot of hard work, dedication, and passion go on behind the scenes. If you work hard and bring creativity, this field has a huge scope in Nepal.”