A rising star: Lila Siwakoti
By R. N. Bista
As clear as a broad daylight, it is seen that the twenty years of trials and tribulations has also brought about and given rise to a laying of a substantial number of ‘golden eggs in the shabby nests’. Sadly, to be truthful, they remained largely unseen and unsung and their values barely went beyond the periphery of the refugee camps.
However, after the resettlement in the Third World, the ‘potential eggs’ appeared to have reached a desired warmth and maturity and a series of breakdowns and cracklings can be observed all across America and beyond.
Among the cackle berries giving rise to potential breed of songbirds—- Lila Siwakoti— is one who appears to be firm and tall among the galaxy of Bhutanese stars.
Born with Shree Narayan and Pabi Siwakoti from Tshirang Bhutan, Lila was just a toddler when he entered the Sanischare Camp, Morang , Nepal. He says that he put his thought into singing at a very early age and his favourites still remains a mix of ‘lok-pops and modern’.
Under a heavy applause and ovation, Siwakoti released his first album ‘Yaad Timro’ ( your remembrances) in one of the theaters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 18, 2015.
The album carries a pack of six solo songs with an aura of lok-pop, modern and gazal. He claims that among his creations, his latest music video—gajale gajale—due to be released soon, is expected to win the hearts of larger audience. Nevertheless, all his songs are unique and appealing with appropriate lyrics and musical settings. Of all, he has been able to carve a niche of his own against the growing trend of plagiarism.
Mr. Siwakoti is presently residing in New York. He is currently pursuing degree in Criminal Justice in one of the reputed universities of America.
Of late, there has been a horde of competitions making rounds among burgeoning and potential Bhutanese singers all across America. Among them, a few have already swept the hearts of Bhutanese and Nepali alike.
Pratap Subba, presently residing in California, USA is the trendsetter of Nepali music among the Bhutanese of Nepali origin. His trademark song ’Bandhan ko chino’ became an instant hit and is still enjoyed by many.