Seen as a Nepali cultural icon, the singer credits Qatar for the success story. By Usha Wagle Gautam
Rit Kumar Shrestha has earned recognition as a singer in Qatar by regularly performing in different community programmes. He came to Qatar from Nepal for work in March 2003. He has so far recorded 25 songs while living in Qatar and won a music video award in 2016 given by a company in UAE.
Shrestha is very popular as a singer here, performing in almost all musical events organised by 150 big and small Nepali community organisations. The singer also continues to succeed at his workplace as he has got two promotions since he came to Qatar.
Coming from an unprivileged family in west of Nepal, Shrestha is a father of two children. In his childhood, he was a house servant. He did not have money to buy lunch in his schooldays. His parents even could not afford school uniforms for him. He had to take the cattle to nearby forest for grazing. He sang as his cattle grazed on the banks of a river. He also used to sing while going to collect firewood in the jungle. His friends always praised his melodious voice and he also sang in local gatherings in Nepal. 
Shrestha had to start a job after completion of his school years. The earnings were not sufficient. It was not possible for him to get his dreams materialised as a singer in Nepal. He observed that the music industry in Nepal was measly and there were many hardships. The financial woes and other hardships forced him to come to Qatar.
After coming to Qatar, he started to work as a labourer and eventually, reached the position of a supervisor. Shrestha reminisced that he spent some of the most unforgettable moments of his life here.
Shrestha says he is deeply indebted to Nepali expatriates here. He says, “If one has talent, none can stop one from reaching the goalpost. I feel very lucky for having a supportive community here. My wife is equally supportive.”
He credits perseverance and patience as being the key to his success. To him, a perfect song is a combination of fine music, heart-touching lyrics, and equally powerful vocals. He thinks that music-less world would have been a dull and colourless place to live in. “What I wish always is to hone my skills and entertain the masses,” he elucidates.
“I never made my (employing) company think like I can’t do a given job,” Shrestha says, “I am ready to do everything.” He has also improved his English language skills to get better at work.
In 2013, Shrestha composed a song Timro Kalpana Ma (In your imagination). Miteri Films, a Nepali production company based in Doha, popularised him in the Middle East. He has also been performing in different Nepalese and Qatari festivals held here. 
His family and friends feel proud of him when they watch him sing on television and YouTube. Shrestha thinks his greatest success was when he was called to perform in a programme organised by Asian community.
Shrestha has a huge fan following in Nepal and abroad. He has been honoured by a number of nonresident Nepali organisations for promoting Nepali music and culture.
He is often called a cultural icon by Nepali expatriates. His songs usually highlight folk culture and consider youth as agents of social change.
Today, Shrestha is in sound financial position. He owns a piece of land in his village. He is able to give good treatment to his ailing father. His children go to a good private school. 
“I want to make my children doctors or engineers. I appreciate my wife who is discharging a host of responsibilities and chores.”      Shrestha says he has a plan to open a music school nearby his home in Nepal.
Shrestha thanks Qatar, his family, his bosses, and the Nepali community for their support in his journey to success as a singer. He thinks he still has miles to walk for real success. He wants to become a professional singer. “But, I will never forget Qatar and Nepali community here for giving me such precious opportunities in my life.”




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