The Nepal Weekly 
February 6, 2024
By Narendra Raule
Kathmandu, Feb 5: Purnima Lama of Machhedikhola of Galchhi Rural Municipality-7 Dhading district is a famous singer. The songs sung by Lama, who has been active in the music industry for one and a half decades, have remained in the hearts of many viewers and listeners. Her famous songs like ‘Mutu Jali Kharani Bho’, ‘Phool Bhanau Jindagilai’, ‘Dherei Maya Nagarnu Yaha Kasailai’ have won the hearts of millions of viewers and listeners.
She has achieved a success in the singing field in a short time by carving her name as a singer. She is considered a successful and lucky person in the sense that she got the fame in a short period on the contrary to others who have to do a lot of struggle and hardship in their life to get a success.
Her famous songs like ‘Ago’, ‘Banduk Ra Goli’ and others have got over one million views on YouTube. Many her songs like ‘Hijo Samma Malai Maya’, ‘Dandapari Mero Maya’, ‘Aama’, ‘Bhagyale Ni Chhalchha’, ‘Mutu Jali Kharani Bho’are popular. So far, she has recorded more than 300 songs.
After graduating SEE (Secondary Education Examination) in 2072 from Shree Bageshowari Lower Secondary School, Baireni, she came to Kathmandu for further studies and music. She passed plus two in Hotel Management from Lincoln College, Samakhushi. She wanted to study music formally. His desire to study and learn music formally has not yet died. She studied music informally at Do Re Mi Institute for 1 month, and at Gandharba Sangeet School for 4 months before leaving Kathmandu for her hometown during lockdown during COVID-19.
She loves to tour
She has performed in different places of Dhading, Rukum East, Doti, Deldhura, Jumla, Surkhet, Dharan, Tehthum, Kavre, Kathmandu.
Apart from Nepal, she visited Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea in 2018. She reached Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, and Qatar in 2020. Among the places she visited, she has found Korea the best place.
Which of the places you visited in Nepal did you like the most?
“I like the hills,” she says, “I like Sudurpaschim. I like art, culture, language, the behavior of the people there. The world there seems different.”
She has found Sudurpaschim the place blessed with natural beauty, although the province is hard to reach in terms of its geography and transport facility. There are many places worth shooting movies. She wants to reach Badimalika and Khaptad, and compose songs in the language of the Sudurpaschim.
“I like hills and greenery. Even if I have a headache, I feel relieved when wandering around the hill,” she says, “I like village more than city.” Lately, her seeing Bajura’s Badalika videos on social networks has fuelled her desire to visit Bajura. The clouds, greenery and colorful flowers seen in Badimalika have attracted her.
It took 15 hours for her to reach Rukum East district during a tour. She vomited all the way. But when she reached Rukum East, she forgot all the hardships on the way. Similarly, when they reached Jumla, the villagers greeted them by putting garlands of apples around their necks. That trip was memorable.
Her hobbies
She is fond of visiting. He likes to travel and explore new places. She wants to reach Dhorpatan in Rara, Badimalika, Khaptad, Baglung. Pokhara is the place she frequents. In Pokhara, she often goes hiking in Dhampus. She wants to be close to nature.
Her fascination with music
Music is intoxication for her. She finds music a closest friend for her. For her, music is a beautiful thing. Any work is incomplete without music. “Music is karma, religion for me.
“I will always follow discipline and carry on. Even if I am deprived of food and clothing, I will dedicate myself to music.’’ She considers herself lucky.
Talking about her family, Purnima’s father is a retired Nepali army, mother is a housewife. She has five sisters and two brothers. Before coming to Kathmandu, she had made a name for herself at the district level. Now she is more popular at the national level.
Her future plans
Sheis not ambitious. She wants to live a life and be happy in songs, and music. What advice would you give to those who want to pursue the field of song and music?
Without study, knowledge, music is incomplete. “If you want to sustain yourself in music, you need knowledge,” she says.
Her honors and awards
She has been honoured with the ‘Jyoti Films Sangeet Ratna Award’ at the 5th Jyoti Films Music Award 2080 ceremony organised jointly by Movies Pvt. Ltd. Nepal and Sindhupalchok Sewa Samaj Dubai.
She has received the ‘Epic Sangeet Ratna Award’ from former Prime Minister and CPN (UML)Chair KP Sharma Oli. Similarly, in the 4th Epic Nepal Music Awards 2079, she received the ‘Epic Music Ratna Award’ along with a cash prize of Rs 33,333. She won the 5th National Rapti Music Award (2073 Best New Singer), 1st Nepal Music Award (2075 Best New Singer), 11th Bindabasini Music Award 2077 (Best Singer Sugam Sangeet), 9th Music Khabar Music Award 2078 (Best Singer Sugam Sangeet). She has received dozens of awards.
