Buddha N. Shrestha has a voice that is as melodious in speech as it is when he sings. Compared to other great Nepali vocalists, including the former lead singer of 1974 AD, his tone and modulation are unique. Buddha's first step to fame stemmed from his highly commendable rendition of Arun Thapa's Ritu Haru ma Timi. Speaking of the favourable response, he says, "There have been several cover versions of that song and mine was one of the most well received. So, perhaps it's alright to think a little talent had something to do with it." And to hear of people talk of Buddha's forthcoming album, after four years, is to know that he has a following much larger than his modesty allows for. Simply put, people love him.
Talking of love, his next album is called O-Maya and begins with a track that is about love that transcends death. It is one of those songs that echo the saying 'the sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest things'. Appropriately enough, O-Maya also has a song dedicated to his mother and also to the country, the latter, titled Naya Nepal. This track got NTV Productions so excited they produced a video for it, a noteworthy compliment to Buddha as they generally don't do videos.
Buddha writes his own music but a number of lyricists and composers have worked with him on his new album. The sheer diversity of tracks on O-Maya are a revelation. Zindagi is one that concurs with Buddha's teachings: love for all living beings. Talking of his inspiration as a musician he acknowledges his mentor: "My guru was Bhim Bahadur Nakarmi who was a vocalist and a musician in Radio Nepal. He helped me to get where I am today, through networking, training and sheer persistence."
Apart from his engagements as a musician, Buddha is also an entrepreneur who has opened up a company to distribute not only his own albums but possibly that of fellow musicians. He's doing well, but as he readily admits, "It's a difficult line, music is a demanding field and most musicians have to struggle. I was one of the fortunate ones for whom it was not as tough."