Arun Thapa Magar (born January 1952– 22 July 1999) was a Nepali singer and songwriter. In 2003, according to an international poll conducted by

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

, more than half-a million people from 165 countries voted his composition ''Reetu haruma timi hariyali basant (You are the spring amongst the seasons)'', his most famous romantic song, as the seventh in the world's top 10 most popular songs of all time.

Personal life

Arun Thapa was born in Calcutta, India on 6 January 1952. His father was Ganju Prasad Thapa. His parents moved back to Nepal when Arun was 3 months old. He studied and grew up in

Kathmandu Kathmandu () is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. As per the 2021 Nepal census, it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 mi ...

, Nepal. He first studied in a school in Gana Bahal Tole then at JP School in Chettrapati, Kathmandu. Later he studied in Turnbull High school in Darjeeling, coming back to complete his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) from Kathmandu in 1971. He later studied at

Prithvi Narayan Campus Prithvi Narayan Campus or P.N. Campus,() is a public co-educational institution located in the northern part of the Pokhara city and is one of the largest campuses affiliated to the Tribhuvan University, TU. The institution offers undergraduate(B ...

, Pokhara for an Intermediate in Arts degree but soon dropped out to pursue a career in music.

Career

He first started singing at his college where he fell in love with a girl. Most of his songs were in memory of their relationship. He recorded many songs but his career started from super hit song ''Jati Maya Laye Pani'' where he received public affection. Before being a popular singer, he had worked in

Nepal Bank Limited Nepal Bank Limited () is the first commercial bank of Nepal. It was established in 1937, by Juddha Shumsher, which marked the beginning of an era of formal banking in Nepal. History On November 15, 1937 (Kartik 30, 1994), the then King Tribhu ...

Deep Shrestha Deep Shrestha () is a Nepalese singer and musician. Deep Shrestha is one of the coaches in '' The Voice of Nepal'' Season 1 (2018) and 2 (2019) and Season 3.He is also judge in '' Mero Voice Universe'' season 1. "Jhaskiyecha Maan Mero", "Biteka ...

was his best friend. They would always hang around together. He first sang his song in

Radio Nepal Radio Nepal () is the state-owned Radio broadcasting organisation of Nepal. It was established on 2 April 1951. Radio Nepal airs programs on shortwave, medium wave (AM broadcasting, AM) and FM broadcasting, FM frequencies. Regular broadcasts ...

in 1971.Nepalnews accessed on 1 May 2010.

Death

Thapa have long been suffering from lung and liver ailment. He died on 22 July 1999 (5 Shrawan 2056 BS at 1815 hrs) in Kathmandu.

Contributions

He had launched two music albums: ''Arun'' and ''The best of Arun''.Pradeep Thapa Magar. 2000. ''Vir haru ka pani vir mahavir''.p.159. Both of the albums were very popular among the Nepalese music listeners. Thapa had continued his singing career for 30 years. * ''Ritu Haruma Timi'' * ''Sajhko Jun Sangai'' * ''Chot Ke Ho Byatha Ke Ho'' * ''Jati Maya Laae Pani'' * ''Bhulu Bhulu Lagyo Malai'' * ''Aankhako Need Khosi Lane'' * ''Jindagi Ke Chaa Ra Aakhir'' * ''Aru Sanga Najokha Malai'' * ''Dosh Kasailaai Dina Chahhanna'' * ''Timi Herchhau Bhane'' * ''Yo Manko Ke Bhar Hunchha'' * ''Na Pohkine Na Jokhine'' * ''Mero Haath Na Badha'' (Last Recorded song)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thapa, Arun 20th-century Nepalese male singers Indian emigrants to Nepal 1952 births 1999 deaths Musicians from Kathmandu Prithvi Narayan Campus alumni Musicians from Kolkata 20th-century Indian male singers Indian people of Nepalese descent Indian Gorkhas