Tara Devi (singer)

Tara Devi (Nepali: तारा देवी; 15 January 1945 – 23 January 2006) was a Nepalese singer. She is known as the "nightingale of Nepal",[1] having recorded over 4,000 songs[2] during her lifetime. Much of her music revolved around the themes of patriotism and love.[3]

For Nepalese social worker, see Tara Devi Tuladhar.
Tara Devi
तारा देवी
Birth nameDol Kumari Karki
Born(1945-01-15)15 January 1945
Indra Chok, Kathmandu, Nepal
Died23 January 2006(2006-01-23) (aged 61)
Kathmandu, Nepal
Occupation(s)Singer

Early life

She was born in 1945, in the neighborhood of Indra Chok in Kathmandu, Nepal. She began singing at the age of seven. "Sanguri Wari nihou tyo dhara pani" is one of her popular songs.

Tara Devi was born on 1945 in Kathmandu, to Krishna Bahadur and Radha Devi. Tara Devi started singing at age seven and went on to record 4000 songs in her singing career of 40 years. When she was 5 years old, she went to Radio Nepal and got the opportunity to sing. Her singing was so soulful that everyone in the crowd got extremely impressed. She was primarily involved in singing for children's programs at Radio Nepal. She was able to pursue her musical career along with her studies. She completed her Bachelors in Music.

During the starting of her career, She would earn Rs. 5 per song at Radio Nepal, which eventually rose to Rs. 100 ( USD 1 as of now ). She was very content with her singing career and was appointed as a Kharidar at Radio Nepal, later promoted to a Secretary during her 30-year long commitment to Radio Nepal.

Tara Devi is famously termed as the "Nightingale of Nepal". Tara Devi has recorded songs of wide range of genres, from prayer songs to Nepali folk songs, most of which are regarded as classic numbers in Nepal. Almost every lady singer in Nepal is heavily influenced by Tara Devi in one way or another. Some of her famous numbers are; 'Ukali Orali Haru ma', 'Pool ko Thunga', 'Nirdosh Mero Pachhyaurima', 'A Kancha' and 'Himal ko Kaakhama'.

She got married with Shiva Bahadur Shrestha, an aircraft pilot by profession, in 1966. Later in her life, Tara Devi endured difficult periods, after she lost her 25-year-old son by blood cancer. Soon after, her husband died in an airplane crash. She was unable to recover from this tragedy and her health started deteriorating. She became physically unfit and later was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which put a halt to her singing career. On 21 January 2006, she died a peaceful death at the age of 60. Her last album, "Afanta Ko Manma", contains her last four songs. She is survived by a son and a daughter.

Songs
  • Subhakamana
  • Yakantama Eklai
  • Timile diyeka
  • Timlai Hasera Bida
  • Ghaam ma Pani Maya
  • Akha Haru le Runa
  • Bida Hune Bhaigayo
  • Ghumai Ghumai
  • Mero Jeevan Kitab Ko
  • Maile Gayeko Geetma
  • Ukali orali haruma
  • Timra pau haruma
  • Ma Deep Hun
  • Himalako Kakhama
  • Kaali Paar
  • Dilma Hajur Ayera
  • Sanghuri Baruli ho
  • Nyauli Basyo Tyo
  • Timi Mero Hainau
  • Fulako thunga
  • Mohani lagla hai
  • Soche jasto hunna
  • Naisaya khola
  • Fulai ful ko mausam
  • Jatatai khoje
  • Rimjhim rimjhim
  • Parbati ho naam
  • Aama bheyera

Awards
  • Member of the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu, First Class.
  • Mahendra-Ratna award.
  • Indra Rajya Laxmi award.
  • Jagadumba award.
  • Chinnalata award, ’Maina’.

References
  1. "Swar Kinnari Tara Devi".
  2. Tara Devi MP3 Songs
  3. Nepali Singer Tara Devi Dies at 60 OhMyNews – 23 January 2006
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