Swechhya Karanjeet and Dipesh Jnawali first crossed paths as members of a student-led club at Uniglobe College. Their shared interest in organising programmes, especially musical events, inspired the idea of creating a space where artists could perform their original music.

However, their college did not allow informal events. Unwilling to stifle their passion, they gathered students from various other clubs, forming an informal team. This determination led to the formation of Roya Acoustic.

Their initial attempts were small—invite-only gatherings outside college premises. However, the real turning point came when they decided to expand beyond the small circle. After their initial small gatherings, on 16 November 2019, the founders hosted their first major event on Karanjeet’s maternal uncle’s property in Bauddha.

At that time, they weren’t thinking about finances or sustainability—it was all about their love for music. “We just wanted to do it because we enjoyed it,” says Karanjeet.

The move to emphasise original music stemmed from Karanjeet’s brother, Swopnil, a singer who had recently returned from India. He noticed a lack of opportunities for artists to create original works and suggested organising an event to support such artists. With this concept, Roya initiated its journey as an event management company.

While many event organisers focused on mainstream or cover bands, Roya made it a point to nurture original musicians. Jnawali recalls that having an artist like Swopnil in the team helped them understand the challenges faced by performers. “Most event management companies don’t prioritise new artists’ needs, but since we had an artist in our founding team, we knew what musicians required,” he explains.

Roya’s first official small-scale event took place at Bento Café in Basantapur. As their reach expanded, Swopnil formally joined as a co-founder, ensuring the company maintained its artist-centred approach.

Unlike conventional event organisers, Roya Acoustic doesn’t limit itself to a fixed number of artists per event. Instead, they open an artist registration form and review each submission carefully. The selection criteria are clear: the artist must have original compositions. Once shortlisted, they meet with the team to discuss their work, ensuring that the performance aligns with Roya’s vision.

The early days of Roya were all about experimentation. At their second event, Swopnil also performed with his band ‘Lens’. Alongside him were Yabesh Thapa and Oasis Thapa—two of the first emerging artists Roya worked with. Over the years, the team has discovered and supported many artists, offering them a stage and a digital presence.

In the beginning, everything was DIY. Without sponsors, Roya had to be resourceful. The ticket, priced at only Rs200, covered some costs, yet additional funds were required to sustain the initiative. “We even sold Chiya notebooks to keep things running,” recalls Jnawali.

The team played multiple roles—handling logistics, managing ticketing, designing the stage with fairy lights, and making and serving drinks. Over time, clear divisions of responsibility emerged. Swopnil took charge of sound and artist management, Pranav Ram Rajbhandari led event design, Arun Singh Nepali oversaw artist logistics, and Prithvi Nakarmi managed food and beverages.

Pranav Acharya, a computer engineer, later streamlined operations by developing a website and working on ticketing. Suprina Manandar led the Creatives and Merch Department, Prashant Ranjitkar handled Logistics and the Music Department, and Manav Manandhar was in charge of the Production Department.

Organising an independent music event in Nepal comes with its share of difficulties. Roya’s focus on artist experience and audience engagement means meticulous attention to detail—from seating arrangements to sound quality. “We want the audience to feel comfortable, and that requires making everything perfect—from artist satisfaction to event setup,” says Karanjeet.

Beyond logistics, finding dedicated stakeholders has been a challenge. The industry is ever-changing, with new tools, evolving technology, and rising production costs. “Getting people committed to this scene is tough,” says Karanjeet. Roya also invests in high-quality content production, including multi-camera shoots and edited performances for digital platforms. This added expense is necessary to give artists lasting visibility, but it does stretch their budget.

Roya is invested in community-building. The goal isn’t just to host concerts; it’s to create a movement that fosters original music. To do this, they ensure artists get an audience genuinely interested in their work.

“We make sure their music is heard by the right people. That’s why we emphasise digital storytelling which is how they connect and help to form a community. We’re focused on artists and the community,” says Karanjeet. Roya captures live performances and repurposes them into online content, helping artists gain attention. One example is singer Prajina, whose song ‘Yo Sahar’ was released a year before she joined Roya. The song, along with her other tracks, received renewed recognition after being featured on the platform.

Another factor is their flexible artist selection. While most events predefine the number of performers, Roya bases its selection on event capacity and audience demand. Their last event featured seven artists, but the total number of artists they’ve introduced exceeds 78.

Now, five years in, Roya is looking beyond musical events–aiming to create art events like exhibitions and galleries. The founders want to build a sustainable ecosystem where musicians can thrive. Plans are underway to establish creative events, offer financial support for emerging artists, and provide networking opportunities. The vision is clear: Roya should not only be a stage but a platform for Nepal’s independent music scene and creative community.

They have also collaborated with brands such as Baransinghe, Led Bright Lights, Harmonium Musical Store, Alchemy Music and Sound Production, and Prism Color Scanning. These partnerships help Roya do what it does.

From hosting its first event with 120 people to becoming a name in Nepal’s independent music scene, Roya Acoustic has come a long way. They have established their presence with eight successful events—including ‘Roya Acoustic X’ at Bento (2018), ‘Tashi Delek Boudha’ (2019), and ‘Roya 2023’.

As the team moves forward, they remain focused on their mission, “At Roya Acoustic, we believe in the power of collaboration and the spirit of creativity, where every note and every voice has the freedom to inspire.’’