Nepathya (Nepali: नेपथ्य, also spelled as Nepathaya) is a Nepalese folk rock band that was formed in the early 1990s. Nepathya was formed by Deepak Rana, Bhim Poon and Amrit Gurung while studying in Kathmandu, Nepal. The band has enjoyed both commercial and critical success. Nepathya are known for their contemporary songs with strong ties to indigenous music and lyrics using dialects from rural Nepal.[1][2]
Nepathya is widely regarded as one of the greatest and the most successful music band in Nepal. During their musical career, Nepathya has toured countries like UK, the US, Australia, Japan, Israel, Germany, Finland, India and many more.[3][4]
The only active founding member of the band is its lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Amrit Gurung. Gurung was born in 1968 and raised in the small village of Mulpani, near Pokhara.[5] He claims his iconic glasses were given to him by one of his aunts, a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
In 2010, Gurung returned to Mulpani, and currently inhabits a small farm there.[5]
Nepathya's Amrit Gurung (on the right) performing live in Helsinki World Village Festival 2006
Nepathya became the first Nepalese band to perform at Wembley Arena, England on August 3, 2013.[6] The concert was jointly presented by Parcha Productions (Nawal Rai and Samir Gurung) and Subsonic Routes. Nepathya's Wembley Arena concert remains the largest performance by a Nepali band.[7]
Nepathya's early work was influenced by folk-pop music, but their sound became more rock-inspired over time. Their lyrics also shifted focus from peace and spirituality to Nepalese politics. The album Ghatana was released during the country's civil war as a call for peace in Nepal.
