Renowned Composer and Bhajan Singer Ratnaman Shrestha dead at 91

Renowned composer and bhajan singer Ratnaman Shrestha, a contemporary of the legendary Narayan Gopal, passed away on the night of December 18 at the age of 91. His son, Rajeshwarman Shrestha, confirmed that the artist died at 10:00 PM at his residence.

Born on June 6, 1934, in Kathmandu, Shrestha was the son of Ustad Saila, who is recognized as one of Nepal’s first prominent singers. He established himself as a highly respected figure in Nepali modern music, bhajans, and Nepal Bhasa compositions throughout a career spanning several decades.

Shrestha began his formal musical journey in 1960. He was particularly prolific in the religious music genre, with approximately 350 bhajans recorded at Radio Nepal alone. Beyond his work in devotional music, he also contributed his voice and compositions to various national and folk songs.

The late artist was a close family friend of the iconic singer Narayan Gopal. Over the course of his career, he collaborated with many of the industry’s most celebrated figures, including Natikaji, Yogesh Vaidya, Tara Devi, and Kamala Shrestha.

Members of the musical community have expressed that his passing represents an irreparable loss to the nation’s cultural heritage. Shrestha is survived by his two sons and one daughter.