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Aruna Lama

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Aruna Lama was a celebrated singer of Nepali language music. She was born on 9 September 1945 in Ghoom Pahar, Darjeeling. People often call her the "Nightingale of the Hills." This title honors her beautiful and influential voice. She recorded hundreds of Nepali songs during her life. Her work left a lasting impact on the history of Nepali music.

Lama's musical development followed a clear path of training and competition. Her uncle, C.B. Lama, first inspired her to sing at age seven. In 1956, she won a music competition organized by the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan. This victory occurred when she was only eleven years old. From 1958, the musician Amber Gurung groomed her in the art of singing. She eventually earned a graduate degree in arts from Darjeeling Government College.

Her professional career involved many different types of musical collaborations. She worked with numerous famous music composers. These included Amber Gurung, Karma Yonzon, and Gopal Yonzon. She also sang for Shanti Thatal, Narayan Gopal, Mani Kamal Chettri, and Dibya Khaling. Her first official song was released in 1961. Amber Gurung composed the music for it. Bhupi Sherchan wrote the lyrics for that first piece.

Lama's repertoire included both standalone songs and film music. She sang many classic hits that remain famous today. Examples include "Eh Kancha Malai Sunko Tara" and "Phool Lai Sodhey." She also performed "Pohor Saal Khusi Phatda" and "Eklai Basda." Her voice reached wider audiences through Nepali cinema. She sang for films such as "Maitighar," "Paral Ko Aago," and "Kanchhi." These film songs are still remembered by listeners today.

Personal challenges shaped much of her later life and work. She married the musician Saran Pradhan in 1963. However, her husband died in 1974. This left her to raise their two children, Sapna and Supreet. She worked as an assistant teacher at St. Alphonsus School in 1965. Later, she held a position at the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Welfare Office in Darjeeling. She worked there until her death in 1998. She continued to sing despite these personal struggles.

Her talent earned her many prestigious awards in both India and Nepal. In 1966, she received the Sangit Puraskar and the Sur Sringar Sammelan Puraskar. She won the Mitrasen Puraskar in 1975 in Assam. In 1983, she received the Nepali Chalchitra Puraskar for her work in "Maitighar." Other honors include the Bhanu Academy Puraskar from 1982. In 1996, she was awarded the Gorkha Dakshina Bahu 4th in Kathmandu.

Beyond formal awards, she received several meaningful honorary titles. The Hindustan Recording Sangsthan in Kolkata named her "Nightingale of the Hills." The Sitaram Sahitya Pratisthan in Kathmandu called her "Swar Kinnari." She was also honored as "Swar Samagri" during the Arunanjali Programme. These titles recognize her status as a master of song. Her life connects the musical traditions of Darjeeling and Nepal.

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