Meet Kandara Band Members – The Heart Behind the Music

Bivek Kumar Shrestha

Founding Chairperson & Lead Vocalist

Bivek Shrestha is a veteran Nepali artist and the founding chairman of Kandara Band. His life mirrors the mythical Phoenix—rising from ashes of adversity, evolving through each trial, and soaring higher with every new chapter of purpose and passion. From his first taste of stardom at age 13 to commanding global stages like the O2 Arena, Bivek’s journey is one of artistic brilliance, emotional resilience, and spiritual awakening.

Having courageously navigated his own mental health struggles while living abroad, Bivek speaks with heartfelt authenticity about self-doubt, burnout, isolation, longing for home, and the path to healing. These lived experiences have deepened his mission, transforming his music into a force for emotional resilience, embracing vulnerability, and self-discovery. A fierce advocate of Nepali music, mindfulness, and meaningful change, Bivek weaves meditation, inner exploration, and soulful storytelling into every performance. Beyond the spotlight, he champions social impact entertainment for grassroots transformation.

Bivek's work resonates not only across Nepal, but around the world, awakening a sense of homecoming, healing, and heritage for the global Nepali diaspora. Driven by a deep-rooted passion for authenticity, connection, and spiritual growth, Bivek is more than just a singer. He is a catalyst for change, a musical voice of transformation, and a modern-day messenger of emotional healing and bliss. Bivek’s unwavering commitment to Nepali music and visionary leadership honors Kandara’s legacy while reimagining its future—bridging tradition and innovation across time and distance.

Harka Bahadur Thapa Chhetri

Co-Founder & Drummer

Co-founder and veteran drummer of Kandara Band, Harka Bahadur Thapa Chhetri, aka Sunil Thapa, has over three decades of experience in the Nepali music industry. Despite his long-term contributions to music, he humbly continues to see himself as a student, dedicated to lifelong learning and service to art. Sunil is deeply inspired by nature and often finds himself in the mountains or paddy fields while creating songs.

Harka’s drumming is renowned for its earthy, organic rhythms that capture the spirit and soul of Nepal. Rooted in Nepal’s rich folk heritage, Sunil crafts a distinctive drumming style that is both grounded in tradition and resonates with contemporary energy. As the rhythmic backbone of Kandara’s sound, his playing is marked by precision, sensitivity, and a profound emotional resonance that moves audiences. Whether performing live on stage or composing in solitude, Harka brings a meditative intensity to his craft—transforming beats into storytelling. His drums do more than keep time; they breathe life into the music, anchoring Kandara’s melodies with depth, texture, and cultural authenticity.

For Harka, music is more than a profession. It's a lifelong journey of service, soul, and storytelling. "I have witnessed the full evolution of Nepali music over the decades and understand the challenges posed by new technology, shifting genres, changing audience demographics, and evolving concert riders. Despite these obstacles, I remain steadfastly determined to overcome them and keep the music alive." Through every strike of the drum, Sunil carries forward the spirit of Nepali music—proving that rhythm, when guided by purpose and passion, can echo across generations.

Avinash Gayak

Madalist/Percussionist

From a small town in Pokhara to international stages, Avinash’s musical path has been one of purpose and persistence. The co-founders of Kandara Band took him under their wings when he was a young teenager. They have been his mentors, his guardians even when he didn’t fully understand the musical path ahead.

As a madalist, Avinash perceives rhythm as a sacred flow, an embodiment of balance, breath, and the heartbeat of life itself. “Madal” is not merely an instrument in his hands; it is a vessel through which he channels emotion, tradition, and identity. Every beat he plays carries the echoes of his roots while resonating with the pulse of the present.

Avinash’s artistry is deeply rooted in his cultural and community identities, yet it remains open to the evolving language of modern melodies and global influences. To him, music is both a ritual and a revolution—a grounding force that nurtures his spirit and a universal language that unites people beyond borders. "I pour my heart into every beat I play and in return, madal gives that happiness right back to me." Avinash holds profound respect and unwavering love for Kandara Band that has now become his spiritual home and creative family.

Daya Babu Jha

Bassist

Daya Babu Jha, aka Pankaj, discovered his passion for music at a young age. Influenced by both traditional Nepali rhythms and contemporary global sounds, he gravitated toward the bass guitar for its power to ground and unify musical expressions. Daya has emerged as a storyteller through strings, a cultural ambassador, and a vital thread in the fabric of Kandara Band’s enduring journey. His humility, consistency, and deep passion for music continue to inspire fans and fellow musicians alike.

Daya believes that music is a vehicle for truth, connection, and healing. He views the bass as the heartbeat of every composition—subtle, yet essential. His approach is minimalist yet intentional, ensuring that every note serves the emotion of the song. While largely self-taught, Pankaj has pursued continuous learning in music theory, improvisation, and performance. His education includes workshops, live collaborations, and mentorship under prominent musicians. Daya's playing style reflects both instinct and knowledge, honed over years of stage experience.

From local stage performances in youth to global concerts, Daya's musical path has been one of persistence, adaptability, and growth. His musical philosophy is deeply aligned with Kandara Band’s core ethos—storytelling through melody and meaning. Having grown up listening to Kandara’s iconic songs, he feels a deep-rooted connection to the band’s mission to revive and modernize Nepali folk-pop music. Becoming a part of Kandara Band is not just a professional milestone for him, it is a heartfelt journey of coming full circle. “I feel truly blessed to be taken under Kandara Band’s wing,” he often says, “because I grew up listening to their songs, and now I am living the dream—learning, playing, and growing alongside the legends who inspired me.”

Sandesh Pariyar

Guitarist

Born in Nepal and now based in Australia, Sandesh Pariyar's musical journey reflects an evolving narrative of resilience and cross-cultural connection. His transition from being a student and instructor in Kathmandu to becoming a cultural ambassador of Nepali music in Australia is a testament to his adaptability and enduring passion. Music, to Sandesh, is a universal language of healing and transformation. His compositions are crafted not only with technique but also with emotional resilience, intending to create meaningful experiences for diverse audiences.

Sandesh believes in honoring tradition while embracing innovation. A perfectionist at playing guitar, he runs his own home studio and plays a key role in major musical productions and festivals. For Sandesh, music is purity—a healing force that helps people reconnect with their inner selves in the midst of life’s chaos. Beyond the studio, he actively supports community initiatives, using his skills to uplift others and bring music to spaces that need it most. With quiet dedication and creative depth, Sandesh brings soul, intention, and a sense of purpose to everything he creates.

Sandesh shares a profound alignment with Kandara Band's ethos of cultural preservation, social consciousness, and musical excellence. His deep understanding of folk and fusion music enhances Kandara's creative direction, amplifying their message of peace, identity, and global harmony. Sandesh remembers being deeply inspired by the lead vocalist of Kandara Band—a spark that shaped his own musical journey. His personal setlists often feature Kandara’s songs exclusively, a reflection of the emotional and artistic connection he shares with the band. “I am willing to give everything for Kandara,” he says, “and I’ve already decided which guitar I will take with me for the world tour.” His devotion runs deep not just as a musician, but as a torchbearer for a legacy that has shaped generations.

Niraj Kumar Bishwakarma

Keyboardist

Niraj Kumar Bishwakarma is a keyboardist for Kandara Band with over a decade of experience in live performances, studio recordings, and music production. Niraj has grown through the ranks of Nepal’s music scene, contributing to diverse musical ensembles and live platforms. This journey is more than a professional climb—it is a story of breaking through deeply rooted societal barriers.

Coming from a historically underrepresented and marginalized community, Niraj's rise in the Nepali music industry was far from easy. The path was not laid out for him; he carved it himself with relentless practice, humility, and an unwavering belief in his art. In an industry where voices like his are often overlooked, joining Kandara Band was not just a professional leap; it was a personal homecoming to a space where music is both mission and movement. In his own words, it was a breakthrough for representation. “Where I come from, we weren’t expected to dream this big—but here I am, making music with Kandara. And I carry my cultural identity and community with me in every note.”

Kandara Band, known for its deep cultural roots and poetic storytelling, resonates deeply with Neil’s own musical philosophy: to honor heritage while pushing artistic boundaries. Niraj hopes his story inspires others from underrepresented regions and communities to dream big and stay rooted in who they are. "I come from a place where dreams often fade before they begin. But through music, I found my voice and now with Kandara, I want to help others find theirs too."

Simon Tajhya

Sound Engineer

With almost a decade of experience in live sound mixing, recording, and sound design, Simon Tajhya has delivered flawless audio for over 100 performances, regardless of system size. Simon’s technical mastery and leadership behind the scenes guarantee that both Kandara performers and audiences receive nothing less than top tier listening experiences. As Kandara Band’s sound engineer, Simon plays an essential role in shaping the rich, folk-pop textures that blends traditional Nepali instruments and soulful vocals with modern production standards. Simon adapts seamlessly to each venue's acoustics, bringing Kandara's powerful cultural legacy to life.

Simon’s philosophy goes beyond technical excellence. For Simon, every microphone, mixer, and speaker are a tool to serve the emotion of the song. His leadership ensures each Kandara show is not only sonically impeccable but emotionally transformative, so their music reaches hearts as deeply as it reaches ears.

Simon isn’t just a sound engineer—he’s an emotional architect: “my true joy is sculpting Kandara’s performance into a sonic journey that evokes nostalgia, belonging, and a sense of homecoming—connecting listeners across the world.” For him, gear is secondary; the true magic lies in capturing raw emotion and weaving it into every mix Because to Simon, mixing isn’t finished until it moves the soul.

Nabin Thapa

Technical Specialist

For over a decade, Nabin Thapa has pursued an unwavering passion for storytelling through photography and videography. With more than 500 projects under his belt, he brings both commercial polish and fine‑art sensibility to every frame. Known for staying at the forefront of visual technology, leveraging the latest camera bodies, lighting setups, drones, and post‑production tools, Nabin ensures each shot is both technically flawless and deeply evocative. This commitment has earned him a reputation for delivering crisp, dynamic imagery that resonates on both emotional and aesthetic levels.

As the Technical Specialist for Kandara Band—a beloved Nepali folk‑pop act renowned since the early ’90s—Nabin plays a pivotal role in transforming live performances into immersive visual experiences. Whether navigating the vibrant hues of stage lights, composing dynamic concert footage, or syncing visuals with the emotional pulse of music, he captures not just moments, but the shared euphoria between band and audience, amplifying the cultural resonance that Kandara is known for.

What sets Nabin apart is his intuitive grasp of emotional storytelling. He doesn’t just record the event—he translates it. Through careful framing, shot sequencing, and mood‑sensitive editing, he ensures each final cut evokes nostalgia and homecoming. From intimate close‑ups of Kandara Band members engrossed in melody to sweeping wide angles that reveal a captivated crowd, his visuals feel personal and universal. Nabin’s work has been pivotal in projecting Kandara’s live show energy well beyond the stage, making every performance an enduring, emotionally charged visual memory. “I’m not on stage, but every time I step behind the lens, I feel like I’m performing too — translating Kandara’s magic, their soul, and the audience’s collective heartbeat into images that travel the world. It brings me tremendous joy to let others feel that energy and emotion, frame by powerful frame.”