| CyberSansar : Exclusive
 Upclose
with Sugam Pokharel
-By Sampada Malla <sampada@cybernepal.com.np>
-Photos by: Abhinav & Sarobar Kasaju
(The article and photos may not be reproduced in
any medium without the written permission of the publisher.)
"I strongly believe that God has sent
me to be a singer, compose lots of songs and endeavor reuniting
the whole world through the bond of music.” A young and an aspiring
singer voices. His songs create magic, his music generate beautiful
melodies, his voice invites an enchanting majestic feel; he is Sugam
Pokhrel. With only two albums in his closet, the very handsome singer
have already ruled umpteen hearts of umpteen music lovers. I have
always adored Sugam Pokharel. I still remember those days of my
school life when I along with a group of my friends used to sing
his songs even when the teacher was teaching! Of course, the punishment
we received after our such actions lie crystal clear in my heart.
No wonder, I was looking forward for a rendezvous with my favorite
singer.
The sun was mild as we, me and Abhinav Dai,
entered the singer's home. The singer, also an RJ at Sagarmatha
radio had just returned after accomplishing his daily show “Naya
Pusta”. “ Here's the remote. TV herdai gara laa.” Sugam voiced as
he hurried towards his kitchen for the lunch where Liza, his wife
was waiting for him. I nodded as I rolled my eyeballs towards the
beautiful portrait of the singer that was hung on the wall of the
living room.
“Shall we start?” After couple of minutes,
Sugam Pokharel returned back. “ What kind of questions will it be?”
He asked before I switched on the recorder. “ Easy ones, dai.” I
replied with a witty smile.
Sugam with Sampada |
Sugam's childhood
Sugam spent the golden days of his life, his childhood, in Biratnagar,
the place where he first opened his eyes. An average child and a
mediocre student, Sugam admits to have been a very introvert and
a shy lad in his earlier days. “ It was only after class eight that
I finally succeeded in overcoming my shyness. Then, life changed.
I was more social and started spending a lot of time outside the
periphery of my house. Otherwise, I was a very self centered child.
” He remembers. His interests and hobbies were like most of the
boys of his age. Wandering around needlessly and listening to music
reigned supreme. He used to listen to songs of Sanjay Shrestha,
Deep Shrestha and Harish Mathema in those days which also unknowingly
influenced him proceed his destiny.
Sugam's
bygone days in the music scenario
“I was always interested in music. I used to sing lots of songs
in school functions, gatherings etc. People appreciated my voice
and I felt proud of it” Sugam smiles. He never aimed to become a
singer but the aspiration to establish his individual identity remained
prior. Thus, soon after his SLC, he rushed to Kathmandu in search
of a platform to explore his dreams and ideas. It was the year BS.
2052. “ As per my interest and desire, I used to sing a lot. I used
to stay with my elder brother, Sunil Pokharel. In this interval,
another desire took birth in me, the wish to record a song. Therefore,
with some pocket money that I had saved, I and friend Sudin Pokharel
recorded a song with our own compositions.” Sugam candidly mentions.
It was the song “Ma Maaya Garchu”. Though the song was recorded,
it was not released. “ We were really thrilled to hear our recorded
song. But even then, we did not release the song because the song
lacked good lyrics and composition. ” Sugam clarifies the reason.
After couple of months, they attempted to record another song“ Payera
Timilai” But the second song also could not tally their level of
expectations. “ It was then that we realized that our time was yet
to come. We did not want to jump hastily in the music world and
remain unnoticed amidst the masses. So, we dropped the idea of recording
songs. I, on the other hand, started concentrating on my studies
and music lessons.” He reveals. With a hectic daily schedule, it
was only at night that he could practice music. Thus, with the help
of a guitar, he started learning the chords. Then,he also learnt
music with Sir CB Chettri for around three years. “ In this period,
I was lucky enough to receive a job as an RJ in Radio Sagarmatha.
The programme that I was hosting was related with music which helped
me develop psychologically with music. I received the opportunity
to learn about the musical status of the country and listen to the
current musical trends as well. It was a stepping stone in my voyage.
” He states. “ The days were hard. I was working and pursuing my
studies as well. Time management was a tough task for me, at that
time. ”
Sugam's musical
voyage
Finally in the end of the year 2058, Sugam recorded his third song
“ Mero Sansar” which comprised of his own lyrics and composition.
The song was released. People loved the song. Sugam Pokhrel was
successful to throw an impact on the music lovers. Then followed
another single song “ Pheri Tyo din” which successfully captured
the no. 1 position of music countdowns for months and months. With
two popular single songs in a row, Sugam's debut album “Shunya”
hit the music stands. The album was a great success. Overnight,
Sugam Pokharel turned into a popular music star. Journalists lined
up for his interview, photographers waited for photo sessions,his
fans quested to feel his lively presence. “ Truly speaking, I had
not expected so much of success from Shunya. The appreciation I
received was overwhelming. My hard work of past so many years had
bore such a lovely fruit.” Sugam laughs. “People started recognizing
me as I walked through the streets. Giving interviews, receiving
fan mails, visualizing myself on the television screens were new
experiences to me. That was also the moment I realized that I was
popular. “Sugam's aspirations are in fact his inspirations. He defines
himself as a sentimental singer and his songs as catchy melodious
songs. Music is a feeling to him which arises from the heart and
strikes the heart. “Music is like love.” He beautifully quotes.
Sugam declines to address himself as a popsinger. Rather, he says
that he is only a singer and his songs are post modern songs.
Sugam dinning with his wife |
Sugam says that his mood play an important
role in giving birth to a song. Of course, his songs contain a vision.
Concepts and themes revolve around different phases of life like
love, pains, tears etc. Then comes lyrics, composition, singing
and music arrangements respectively. “ Music is a gift, a gift of
God. It is a flow of feelings also. Sometimes, I have taken months
to compose a song while sometimes I have completed it in few minutes.”
The singer admits. “ I also try to enlighten a message in each of
my songs. Pheri Tyo Din ma,Past sabaiko huncha tara samjhera aaja
lai khera nafaalau, bholi lai nabhigarau bhanne sandesh dina khojeko
chu. A song has a great impact on the masses. So, I take special
care that my songs do not spread a wrong message.“
With an outsider's view, pop music seem to
target only young groups. What does the singer have to say about
it? “ I do not fully agree to this. I think, in the present situation,
pop music is successfully spreading its wings amongst every genre
of listeners. I receive fan appreciations from people of all age
groups, from a child to an old man and teenagers also.” Sugam strongly
opposes. And it is true too! My nine years old younger brother is
one among many Sugam Pokharel fans. With his first album, he received
the prestigious Hits FM Awards. A singer with loads of enthusiasm
within him, he mentions that his destiny has a long way to come.
“I need to do much more in music. Life has just started.” He philosophically
mentions. A believer of God and fate,Sugam feels that along with
luck, hard work is equally important.
Sugam as a child |
Flooded with gifts and cards from his fans,
Sugam also receives appreciations and criticisms from his loved
ones, which he wholeheartedly accepts. However at times, criticisms
hurt him as well. “ It depends upon the style of presenting. Sometimes,
I also lose my temper. But at those times, I try hard to control
my temper and with a smile accept the harsh criticisms.” Sugam truthfully
marks. With a program based on his profession, it is essential for
him to listen to lots of other songs of various singers. However,
his favorite remain Deep Shrestha, Nabin K Bhattarai, Nima Rumba,
Sunil Bardewa..... the list seems unending. He mentions that country
music influences him and the songs of Rhythm and Blues soothes him.
Sugam Pokharel is one among few Nepali singers
who have actively been participating in lots of stage shows. “Singing
a song in the stage contains more excitement than in the studio.
In the stage shows,active participation of the crowd is received
which encourages me. I love stage shows. With no barriers, there
is a live contact between the performer and the audience which appeals
me.” He says.
Sugam, personally
and musically
Listening to music, watching television and playing guitar
are his favorite pastimes. He also reads novels of Laxmi Prasad
Devkota and Dhruva Chandra Gautam. “ I am moody, I get angry soon.
If I start a work, I have to finish it by any means." He explains
his personal habits. Generally, he does not travel in the world
of internet but sometimes, peeps an eye at Cybernepal. “ I enjoy
the site. With regular updates and interesting contents, CyberNepal
is steadily climbing its ladders. The promotion that the site has
done for my album Highway has helped me a lot. “ Sugam states. The
couple of hours that I spent with the singer have resulted into
one distinctive conclusion- Sugam Pokharel is a singer desiring
to surpass higher, higher and higher. During the rendezvous, his
eyes revealed his heart. “ I have to do something much more.” He
repeated time to time. I gestured to ask lots of questions to the
singer. Some of them are listed below.
You are a very popular singer today.
Does popularity change a person or his environment?
Both, actually. In my context, I have changed too, in the sense
that I have more responsibilities, today. Work has been very very
prior. But things were different before. Today, people expect a
lot from me and I am struggling to meet their expectations. Yes,
the environment around me has also changed. People have a different
eye of looking at me, today.
How important is it for your songs to contain
Nepali feel and Nepali smell?
I have been playing hard for it. Therefore,
I have always avoided the usage of English words in my songs. My
songs contain complete Nepali words which are used while communicating.
What kind of public responses have you received
from your second album “ Highway” ?
The response is good, though not overwhelming
because of the critical situation of the country. As before, I have
not received feed backs from all around Nepal. When I released my
first album, the country's situation was bad, now it is worst. With
blood baths all over, who would love to listen to a romantic or
a sentimental song? So, the music eagerness is decreasing day by
day and the music markets also. Not only my album, but the whole
music industry is suffering.
What do you feel visualizing the present
situation?
If the same situation continues for some
years, I am afraid, I'll have to stop singing. Only after the situation
will go better, then perhaps, I will start singing. Singing is our
profession, not just our interest. Commercially, we need to survive
as well. So, if there is no profit in the sales, there is no reason
for the music companies to overflow lots of money in producing a
qualitative album.
Any interesting incident about your immense
fan following?
Umm, it was in BICC. I had a show there.
After the completion of my show, a male fan approached me and kissed
me wild for thirty seconds. (Laughs) I can never forget that incident.
How does your day start with ?
I wake up at seven in the morning, have
my bed tea and then hurry towards my office. At about 11, I return
back home for the lunch. After an hour or so, I go to my office.
My office hours finish at about 3, 4. Then, I go for my music works
like recording, dubbing , music promotion etc. Sometimes, there
are interviews as well. So, it is only at about 7 in the night that
I return home. That's it.
Your future plans?
I don't plan anything. I accept the way
life comes to me. So, no future plans.
Plans for your next album ?
I have just released my second album.
Presently, I need to nourish it. So, the preparation for the next
album will take some time, perhaps after some months. Also, you
need rest from the music. So, these days, I am spending my time
reading books and listening music.
Any last words.....
Keep listening and loving Nepali music!
With Sugam Pokharel& wife Liza
“ A perfect couple!” Anyone who have seen
Sugam and Liza Pokharel must have reacted in the same manner as
I did. Both are young and very tender but their bond of relationship
demonstrates maturity, love and understanding.
During the interview, as Liza accompanied
us for some chitchats, I hurriedly asked, “ Didi, media dheki kina
tadha rahanuhuncha? ” With a charismatic smile, she answered,“ Khai,
interest nai lagdaina.” Liza prefers a low profile life with less
media highlights. But with a singer hubby, things does not turn
her way. “ I am compromising. It is his profession and I am aware
about it.” As an understanding wife, Liza says. “She is perfect
to me. That was the reason I married her. People think that I have
tied the knots earlier than my age but I do not think so. She is
a wonderful partner.” Sugam goes all praises about Liza.
|
Hits FM Music Award
2059 (Best New Artist) |
Their first meeting happened on a telephone.
A common friend had Sugam's phone number in her phone directory.
Liza glanced at it and loved the name “Sugam.” With curiosity, I
ask her, what did she find in the name? “ It was sweet ni, different
than other names.” She innocently mentions. Then,with no reason,
Liza telephoned Sugam, just for fun. “He responded very well. I
liked his voice.” Liza recalls. Then started their friendship. “
We used to talk about everything as normal friends do. It seems
astonishing to turn back and recall those days.” Sugam says. After
about two years of their friendship, Sugam finally gathered some
courage and proposed Liza. The latter happily accepted the proposal.
Thus, the relationship took a different turn and bloomed into flowers
of love. “I used to go to her college from my office, meet her and
then return back to the office. Besides, we had regular phone calls
as well.” Sugam shares the incidents of his former days. It was
only after 3,4 years of their affair that they performed the matrimonial
rituals. How did life change, I ask Sugam. “ My musical career and
my marriage went together. After the release of Mero sansar, I had
got married. During our affair period, I was zero. But after I married
her, I also achieved a successful career. She is my lucky charm,
my love.” Liza smiles as Sugam pours out his feelings.
Liza is fully satisfied with Sugam's profession
and wishes to visualize Sugam transcend even more higher. “I listen
to all of his songs. In fact, I am the first listener of all his
songs.” She says. However, she also has complaints en stored within
her. “Sugam is really busy these days. He hardly has time for me.
He is also less romantic these days.” I ask Sugam's opinions about
his wife's complaints. “I accept it. Today, I have more responsibilities
in my shoulders. Life is very busy now.
Before, I was a simple man. I have changed
with time because the environment around me has changed and other
things have also changed. There is work pressure pulling me, these
days.” The singer opines. “There is perfect work division between
us. She looks after the house, I work outside. I have always received
a positive support from Liza.” Sugam can not stop praising his wife.
“I feel happy about Sugam's fan following.
It is because of them that he is popular. People love him and his
songs. I feel very proud about it. However,seldom, I also get irritated
with bluff calls.” With honesty, Liza speaks her mind. How often
do they fight ?“ Sometimes.” They answer together. “But, our fights
do not last long, not more than an hour. Instead of keeping mum,
we sit together and discuss about it.”
Their second marriage anniversary is
on July 2004. CyberNepal prays that such anniversaries come and
go in the lives of the happy couple.
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