Devika K C is a household name in Nepal. Though living in Qatar for almost a decade now, this folk singer with a golden voice has
mesmerised her fans at home and abroad with a repertoire of 12 albums and over 300 songs.
“In a year, I stay for six months in Qatar, three months in Nepal and three months elsewhere performing among the Nepalese
community,” says Devika, who has performed in 15 countries spanning the US, Europe and the Gulf.
In Qatar, she has sung in over 50 live concerts.
Her debut album was released in 2003. Back then, she had participated in a folk-singing competition organised by the state-owned
Radio Nepal. As many as 29 groups, with 12 members in each group, battled for the title. Devika was 18 when her group topped the
competition and bagged the prize.
She remembers that day clearly. Before winning the prize, her villagers were pessimistic as female singers were generally
portrayed negatively in the then male-dominated society in Nepal. Things are far better today. Yet, Devika was unstoppable. She
drew inspiration from her family, especially her mother, who supported her the most and took part in the contest. Only after
winning the title, her villagers began to appreciate her singing talent. As of now, she has inspired many to pursue a career in
music.
Says Devika: “If one has talent, no one can stop him or her.” She has found a fan in her husband who values her talent and
profession, “I feel very lucky. After marriage, my husband is equally supportive and encouraging as my parents.”
Devika took vocal training in classical and folk music from Gandharva Training School in Kathmandu. She penned lyrics, helped
composed music and gave voice to all the songs of Golden Sari — her debut album — released in 2003. The songs in the album made
references to social ills like female inequality and caste discrimination in Nepal. “My lyrics and music videos were a
deliberate attempt to drive home the message. If an art form can be used to send a positive thought, then it is more likely that
the audiences will follow,” she reasons.
Her words have inspired many. Devika’s songs released during Teej, the traditional festival observed by Nepalese women, largely
focus on equal share of household chores by male and female family members and against caste discrimination. Until now, she has
won five awards, including the prestigious Radio Award, Nepal Television Award, Tuborg Award, Sahitaya Sangeet Award (Literature
Music Award) and Hami Sakchhau Nari Abhiyan Award (We Can Women Initiative Award).
As vice-president of International Artists Forum (IAF), Devika was among the judges in the folk duo competition 2012 organised by
Samsara Bhanchha Ghar in Qatar. Likewise, she judged a singing contest in 2013 organised by Tamu Service Society and spotted
talents of young singers — Indira Shah and Birendra Shrestha in folk and modern song categories.
She says, “I am so happy to discover and groom young Nepalese singing talent in Qatar. I try to help and encourage them in every
which way I could.” She thinks there is no dearth of Nepalese musicians in Qatar.
Devika has performed along with local artistes in Qatar. “I feel proud to perform with local artistes and encourage and assist
them,” she says.
In 2013, she organised a food festival in Qatar. The festival was an amalgam of Nepalese cuisines, folk music, dance and culture.
Food enthusiasts were entertained and thrilled by her performance, throughout the festival, she sang over 20 Nepalese folk songs.
Honoured by many nonresident Nepalese organisations, including Khas Chhetri Society, Tamu Service Society, Baglung Service
Society, Tamang Service Society and Nepalese Women Society for promoting Nepalese music and culture, Devika is often termed as a
cultural icon among the Nepalese expat community in Qatar.
In 2013, she became an entrepreneur after she launched her own CR KC Register Status Contracting and Cleaning Company. Started
barely with 15 employees, her company now provides jobs to as many as 40. For an artiste like her, to run a company was a
daunting task. “Qatar is secure place to do business than Nepal,” she says, “I can do music and business together here.” Many a
time, she goes for marketing and contracting herself.
As of now, she feels comfortable as she has rightly managed her two professions — music and business, “when we get audience for
music and market for business, both can go together. Looking back at all my struggles and achievements, I feel that nothing is
impossible for women to accomplish.” she says.
Devika’s husband Prakash Gurung is a long-time resident of Qatar. “Whenever I watch Devika perform, I feel proud of myself,” says
Prakash, “she equally devotes her time to family and her fans apart from business commitments.”
Devika completed her Bachelor’s in Sanskrit from Nepal but decided to make a career in singing.
GOLDEN VOICE: Folk singer Devika performing for a cultural forum at Al Arabi Stadium.
