Ratan Devkota, spent his entire childhood in the remote and technologically backward region of Kalikot. At 14, he moved to Kailali in search of better education and opportunities, leaving behind his large family of four brothers and a sister. With passion for teaching and music, he later joined Teach for Nepal as a paid intern after his graduation, dedicating himself to providing quality education in underserved villages.
Ratan is intense about wanting to make something of himself and more importantly, wanting to make a mark. He came to Kathmandu to pursue his dream of becoming a folk singer, a path fraught with challenges as he was equally committed to his education, balancing his interests in teaching and singing, and earning a living in a new place. But he is undeterred and over the past few years grown into a multifaceted personality – an educator, media content creator and writer. His songs are rooted in his past, in his mother’s voice, in his land’s history… the pain, the angst and the joy of Karnali.
What drew you towards music?
My mother used to sing songs when I was a child. Even today, if you visit the Karnali Zone or the Far-West Province, which comprises nine districts alongside Karnali’s five, you’ll see how deeply connected the region is to its history. In the days of Greater Nepal, before the Anglo-Nepal war, our country extended much further, reaching areas like Kumaon and Garhwal. However, after the Sugauli Treaty with the British, Nepal lost almost half of its territory. This loss not only reshaped our borders but also forced many Nepali people to leave their homeland for survival, a trend that began over 210 years ago. Initially, they migrated to places like West and South India, working in hilly and remote areas. Today, this migration has extended to places like Qatar and Dubai but the root of this practice lies in our past. This history is reflected in the songs of the region, which often carry themes of sadness and separation. These songs originated from the pain of families being apart, with husbands working abroad for over a year and wives left behind with no means of communication. Back then, there were no mobile phones or easy ways to stay in touch, leading to immense longing and stress. My mother used to sing such songs at night, in the unique vocal tone of the Far-West, to cope with her feelings of separation from my father, who would often be away for six months to a year. Singing during the day was frowned upon, so she sang quietly in the dead of night, expressing her longing when no one could hear her.
I later realised that I inherited my love for singing from my mother. As a child, I would imitate her songs, and when I moved to Kailali, I began participating in school activities where I got more exposure. People began to appreciate my voice, and with access to radios in the Terai, I discovered even more music, unlike in Kalikot, where such technology wasn’t available. This exposure gave me confidence in my singing ability.
Alongside singing, I also write lyrics, which is why I prefer calling myself a lyricist first. In fact, I have written books solely focused on lyrics. From a young age, I dreamt of becoming a singer despite being told that there was no future in it. However, I have always felt a deep connection to both singing and writing. Even now, I believe this is my true calling. It’s not about whether I’ll succeed but about the pace at which I’ll achieve my dreams.
When you are writing lyrics, do you pull from personal experiences or do you tap into something else?
I have worked on around 8 to 10 songs so far with more projects in progress. Most of my songs are rooted in real-life experiences. If you listen to my latest musical short film, you’ll find it to be one of my best works to date. Similarly, my song Desh Chodneko Larko addresses social issues and draws from personal experiences. In that song, I explore the pressures many face to leave Nepal for opportunities abroad; a pressure I’ve felt myself. However, I chose to stay because I saw greater potential for myself in Nepal than anywhere else. Having my own sister living abroad, I understand the realities of leaving one’s homeland. But I was determined to build my identity within Nepal, finding countless opportunities here that made me dismiss the idea of leaving.
While societal influences do shape us, my personal experiences play a significant role in the depth of my lyrics. My music reflects a blend of individual stories, societal issues, and shared emotions. I often address topics like social injustices including the struggles faced by women which I have observed throughout my life in school, college and beyond. These real, ground-level stories inspire me, and I aim to bring them to light through my music. Music, after all, is a powerful medium – simpler and more far-reaching than any other – which allows me to share these stories with a wider audience.
Who was the first person to truly believe in your musical journey?
I have to recall an important phase of my life during my Bachelor’s studies at Khwopa College in Bhaktapur. There, I met Dr Dinesh Kumar Dahal, a professor who left a lasting impression on me. Currently pursuing his PhD in poetry in Germany, Dr Dinesh is also a singer and a literary enthusiast. While he wasn’t widely known, his voice was incredible and his depth of knowledge was remarkable. He was a mysterious figure who never chased popularity but instead focused on his craft and intellect. He often encouraged me, recognising my passion and drive. He would say, “If you are truly passionate, you must prepare yourself to face challenges. Without passion, life becomes routine – working for a living, raising children, and staying within those boundaries. But someone with passion must first fight an inner battle before taking on societal obstacles.” He asked me if I was ready for that fight. I told him I was, and he reassured me, saying, “That’s why you have chosen this path, even if it means walking it alone. You should never stay away from it because passion is rare. Success in music isn’t easy, it requires immense hard work, dedication and persistence. Some songs will succeed while others won’t, but the key is to keep going without getting discouraged. That’s the only way to achieve lasting success.” Dr Dinesh remains a significant influence in my life, often giving me feedback even today. His guidance has been invaluable, and he taught me the importance of recognizing and nurturing my own abilities rather than trying to fit into moulds meant for others.
What feedback or reactions have you received from young people who resonate with your song’s message? Has it opened up any meaningful conversations?
After completing Hirulal, I had the opportunity to connect with people not just in Nepal but from around the world. Even successful Indian filmmakers have suggested that we explore similar genres within Nepal. I was approached about collaborating on a Netflix project involving an investment of crores, specifically inspired by Hirulal.
Hirulal addresses a deep societal issue, framed through a lens of love and connection to the community. Though it is only a nine-minute musical short film, it vividly portrays the essence of Karnali, its unique music, local dialect and cultural richness. The story is inspired by my mother’s life, and the characters are rooted in her experiences. At Kathmandu University, where I am currently studying, professors have also spoke highly of my work. While Hirulal may not have millions of views yet, I am proud of the quality of its audience. The meaningful feedback I receive inspires me to keep moving forward. Esteemed filmmakers like Min Bahadur Bham and Nabin Subba, who are renowned internationally, have also appreciated my work. I have received a lot of positive reviews, though it’s impossible to name everyone who has supported me along the way.
What do you hope listeners feel or take away from your music?
This is a challenging question for me as I hope people grasp the context of my songs when they listen to them. My music touches on issues like women’s struggles, unemployment, politics, caste discrimination and gender inequality. My first wish is for people to simply listen to my songs. I understand that my intentions in creating these songs may not always align with everyone’s perspective. A song rooted in a particular place or experience might not resonate with someone from a different background. However, if you listen closely, you might understand its essence or even interpret it in your own way. Ultimately, my goal is for listeners to become more aware of the social injustices I aim to highlight. Even if they don’t relate to the song as I do, if it sparks questions or starts conversations, that in itself would be enough for me.
There is a trend of creating songs only for the songs to go viral, what is your take on that?
This is a question frequently posed to artists these days and is likely a global issue. However, from my perspective, it’s not the audience’s fault. The mindset of the audience is shaped by the kind of content artists create. If creators fail to deliver high-quality content, anything and everything tends to go viral. Many creators today rely on short-lived trends, producing content comparable to chewing gum – you enjoy it for the flavour but once it’s gone, you move on to the next. This approach is not sustainable. As artists, we must respect our audience because no matter how talented or creative we are, we can’t achieve success without them. Naturally, every artist wants their work to have lasting impact but that requires authenticity and genuine effort. Content created without authenticity won’t stand the test of time. Personally, I prioritise being authentic, knowing it will hold value in the long run. Over the next decade, both the music scene and audience preferences will evolve. The new generation, raised on platforms like Netflix and YouTube, will demand better, higher-quality content. That’s why our focus as creators should always be on quality. Of course, some factors are beyond our control. Algorithms play a significant role in determining the content people consume, often promoting trends that can have a profound impact on younger audiences. This creates a cycle that shapes how children perceive the world. Breaking that cycle requires a commitment to creating meaningful and impactful content.
In a world where everyone is trying to make it big, how do you stay grounded and true to yourself as an artist?
Success is a journey, not a destination. I have come to believe that mastering at least one instrument is essential for a musician. When I write songs, I want to sing them myself because that’s when they feel most authentic and heartfelt. I handle every aspect of my music – lyrics, direction, singing and video production. Not only does this approach bring financial benefits but it also allows me to stay true to my vision. Coming from the far-Western region, where many talented singers are emerging, I want to stand out by exploring fusion music. I am particularly passionate about blending folk and western styles to create something unique, as I have done with my latest song, Hirulal. For me, the true measure of success is knowing that my songs and videos have meaning and impact, even if it’s just for one person somewhere in the world.
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