How would you describe your normal day?

I generally go for a walk as soon as I wake up in the morning. I walk around three kilometres or so and indulge in some other exercises as well. Then, when I’ve had my breakfast, I leave for the office, where I spend the entire day recording or composing music. It’s usually the same. These days, I’ve also started meeting up with school friends quite regularly—we talk for hours, laughing about the old days...it’s a lot of fun.

Everyone seems caught up in the World Cup fever these days. Are you one of them?

I’m not particularly fond of football. But because it is the World Cup, I try to see at least a couple of important matches. I’m not supporting any team, but I do like the way Brazil and Argentina play. So I’ll be cheering for them. More than football, I prefer table tennis and squash. At one point in time, I also enjoyed playing snooker.

What other interests do you have?

I watch a lot of films—comedies and art movies mostly. I really like Julia Roberts and try not to miss any of her films. I’m also a big fan of Naseeruddhin Shah—he is probably one of the finest actors of all time. I also read now and then, but I’m not an avid reader as such. I recently read BP Koirala’s autobiography and Diamond Shumsher’s Seto Bagh. These were both books that I’d wanted to read for some time, and didn’t really get the chance to until now.

Are you as adept in the kitchen as you are in the studio?

Nope. I cannot cook anything, not a single thing. I do try to pitch in by buying vegetables, but even that’s difficult at times because I can’t really identify vegetables all that well. When I was a little boy, my mother would give me samples of the vegetables she wanted me to buy at the market, just so I wouldn’t mess it up. But even though I can’t cook, I can certainly eat. I enjoy trying new food, and my favourite at the moment is continental cuisine—or Japanese, if I’m trying to be healthy.

Do you travel often?

I do, and I think it’s one of the best things in the world. Among the places I’ve been to, France really stands out. It’s such an artistic place, and probably also because it was my first trip outside of Nepal, it was unforgettable. I’d really like to go to Africa someday, too. As for Nepal itself, I think Pokhara is wonderful and I never tire of going there. I’d also gone trekking to Ghorepani not too long ago, and though it was grueling for sure, the views from up there was reward enough for the exertion.

Do you have a fondness for gadgets?

I make sure to stay updated, whether it has to do with my phone or other equipment and instruments needed in my line of work. Sometimes I’ll just pick up a new device because I find it interesting, even though I might not use it much in the future. I also have a collection of guitars—six at present—that I’m very proud of. But I think my kids will outpace me soon enough when it comes to technology.

Who do you look up to as a source of inspiration?

I’ve always admired singers like Nati Kaji, Shiva Shankar, Gopal Yonjan and Amber Gurung. They’ve inspired me to be more ambitious and to try new things

in music.

Is there anyone you’d really like to work with in the future?

I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve gotten to work with people from both the old and new generations. I’ve worked with Prem Dhoj Pradhan, Bacchu Kailash and Aruna Lama, as well as younger artists like Ram Krishna Dhakal, Ani Choying Dolma, Sanup Poudel, and Hemanta Rana. I’ve also spent time with songwriters like Durga Lal Shestha, Basanta Chaudhary and more recently with Santosh Thapaliya and Nishprabh Saji. So I’d like to continue working this way, with people of different ages and backgrounds—there’s more to learn that way.

Any stories from back in the day that you’d like to share with us?

When I was about five, I had gone to take an entrance exam at the Laboratory School, and had to sit for an interview. The teacher asked me where milk came from. Now I’d grown up in Om Bahal and had never seen a cow giving milk. The only thing I could remember at that point was our Bishnu dai, who brought us milk in the morning. So I said, “Bishnu dai.” The interviewer was shocked, and my parents couldn’t stop laughing when I told them. We didn’t even go check whether I’d gotten accepted; it seemed like a lost cause.

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians in Nepal?

I think people who feel really passionate about this field should learn to enjoy music first. Then come commitment and building of skill. There are a lot of prospects in music for those who are prepared to really work hard, and not just exhibit talent but also keep up with changing times and tastes.