Recording at home | Purbanchal

DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA

Hem Subba of Bhavana Digital Recording Studio.
Recording music has become easier in eastern cities like Dharan, Biratnagar, Urlabari and Birtamod. Artistes don't have to go to Kathmandu because there are enough studios around home, equipped with the latest technology.

The recording studio boom began when Bijay Shrestha set up Music Media in 1995. Since then, Bhavana Digital Recording Studio, Shiva Sound Studio, Reaves Sound Studio, Koshi Sound Service and National Sound Service have joined the wagon in the east. Recording a song here costs Rs 3,000-Rs 4,500 and album recording packages are available for Rs 28,000-Rs 32,000.

Before recording studios, Sundar Shrestha of Dharan had set up Sundar Sound Service which recorded songs using ordinary recording technology in an ordinary room. Himayati Jana Sanskritik Pariwar and other groups even released albums with songs recorded that way. Artistes from the eastern hills, cities, Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bihar did the same. Sundar now provides sound systems for big concerts.

Bijay Shrestha of Music Media.
Bijay Shrestha claims that when he started his recording studio, he was the first to do so outside Kathmandu. Music Media had an analog four-track studio then. Now, it has a digital recording system and has released more than 300 albums in genres ranging from bhajans to pop songs. Popular artistes like Prakash Ojha, Ramana Shrestha, Prashna Shakya, Prakash Poudel, and Madan Chownwang have recorded here. "Artistes cannot afford to record in Kathmandu, recording here is comparatively cost-effective," says Shrestha. Prakash Poudel's Nai malai tei keti chahincha, Daktar saab, and Govinda Dangol's folk hit Dali ghasaima were recorded here.

Sabin Rai cut his first song at Hem Subba's Bhavana Digital Recording Studio in Chataraline, Dharan. The studio has recorded 80 albums in five years. Sanjeev Lama, Dipen Rai, Kushal Thalang and more are recording songs now with recordist Manoj Mote and arranger Pravesh Rai.

Shiva Sound Studio is the latest in Dharan. Started by musician Raju Shrestha, the studio has also dubbed for the film Chhimeki. In just one year, the studio has recorded half-a-dozen albums and Raju says proudly, "Artistes from as far as Solukhumbu come for recording sessions."

Three years ago, Dhiraj Shrestha started Reaves Sound in Bhanutol, Biratnagar. Out of the 60 albums recorded in this studio, he says, artistes Sumit Khadka, Furwa Sherpa, and Shree Krishna Luitel have become famous. A singer himself, Dhiraj is now recording his own album. The east is sure to give Kathmandu some stiff competition in recording deals. Let's hope that will result in more good music.