Heart Sutra – Bliss and Serenity

About The Artists

Navaraj Gurung
A tabla player, classically know as “Tabla Badak”, was born in 1972. When he was 7 years old he started learning the Tabla from his Father & Guru Ram Hari Gurung (a well known musician since the Rana Dynasty). He has done his graduation in Classical Music from Prayag  Sangeet  Samiti of India. Professionally he stands as “A” grade musician of Radio Nepal. His past musical background and tours are very interesting. He has done many classical performances in many countries like Spain. Japan (5 times), France, Bangkok and India. He has achieved many awards, over the years one important award was the Gold Medal for Best Tabla Performance at Radio Nepal’s 45th Anniversary in 1988. He was also awarded the Certificate of Excellence from India’s Prayag Sangeet Samiti Maha Vidyalaya in Allahabad.
So far 5 albums of his they are: The Feelings, Moment, Relaxation of Nepal, Dhyana Aman and now Heart Sutra.

Santosh. B. Shrestha.
Son of Krishna B. Shrestha was born on 1976 at Kathmandu (Patan). At the age of 10 he had started learning the “ISRAJ” “from Mohan Prasad Joshi”, the senior most classical musician, who was one of the best scholars of Maestro late Ganesh Lal Shrestha, the greatest musician in the history of Nepal. Santosh’s career, as a performer, started in 1988, when he was only 12. Since then he has been performing regularly in shows including Nepal Television and Radio Nepal. Abroad he has held stage programs in Japan. Hongkong and India. He has graduated in classical music from Prayag Sangeet Samiti of India. Considering his skill in playing ISRAJ, he has been honored with several prizes. His albums. The feeling. Pagoda Vajra, Koselee, and now Heart Sutra with his colleagues are very popular in Nepal and aboard as well.

Raman Maharjan.
Raman is a native of Kritipur, a small Newari town in the Southern rim of Kathmandu valley vibrant with ancient Newari cultures and rich music heritage. Raman comes with this unique cultural context in his styles and skills. His humble nature flowers beautifully with a refined skill of blowing amazing melodies and ragas in the bamboo flute that he has been playing since the last fifteen years under the guidance of his guru Mohan Prasad Joshi. Raman holds a diploma in flute from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, India.

THE HEART SUTRA
When you are singing the Heart Sutra together your mind jumps to “Sunyata” Beyond Mind! Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate bodhisvaha!
– Himalayan Master SHIFUJI.

Artists:
Santosh Bhakta Shrestha (Israj)
Nava Raj Gurung (Tabla + Percussion)
Sujay Shrestha (Acoustic Guitar)
Shyam Nepali (Sarangi)
Raman Maharjan (Flute)

Special Guests:
Hari Nepali (Sarangi)
Suresh C. Pradhan (Murchunga)

Special Thanks:
Little Star Shrestha
Rabindra Manandhar
Ranjan Man Shrestha
Mohini Lama
Atendra Shrestha.