Veteran lyricist Bishwa Ballabh, best known for his timeless lyrics in songs like 'Bhagyale Khushi Khosera Lagyo' sung by Aruna Lama, passed away on Wednesday at 11:25 am. He was 80.

Ballabh had been undergoing treatment at Annapurna Neuro Hospital in Thapathali after suffering a stroke on September 30. His passing was confirmed by renowned lyricists and poets Dinesh Adhikari and Rajendra Thapa via social media. His youngest daughter, Bhawana Khulal, also informed the public, sharing, "We have lost a source of inspiration who contributed immensely to the fields of communication, music, and literature."

Ballabh was the younger brother of noted literary figure the late Ishwar Ballabh. He spent a significant part of his career working at Radio Nepal, where many of his compositions, including hits like Bhagyale Khushi Khosera Lagyo (sung by Aruna Lama), Shubhakamana (sung by Tara Devi), and Dherai Din Bho Timro Jhajhalko (sung by Aman Tandukar), were recorded. He also hosted the popular programme Phulbari on Radio Nepal for several years.

His body will be kept at the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama on Wednesday afternoon for the public to pay their respects.

Poet and lyricist Dinesh Adhikari, who mentioned Ballabh in his book Tasbirko Katha, expressed his sorrow, calling the death an irreparable loss to the Nepali music and literary world. Adhikari recalled an iconic photograph from 1999 in Pokhara, which captured three Ballabhs—Bishwa, Ishwar, and Shakti—together, and included it in his book.

Ballabh’s wife, Haridevi, passed away two years ago due to cancer. He is survived by his two daughters, Bijaya and Bhawana.