Nima Rumba
Singer/Musician
We have been listening to his mesmerizing voice for two long decades. His smile, music, voice, lyrics and the way he moves when he sings is just awesome. Seeing him for the first time in his first music video, I too had drowned in the sea of his charisma. So, being his one of the die-hard fans, I had never ever imagined I would be interviewing him for the world to know him better and when I was asked to do so, it was like my dream come true.
He is in the industry since 1990, has given us number of hits, is one of the evergreen artists of our country and through this he is one among few to give a new shape to the Nepali music industry. “Be true to yourself, be sincere to your work, be loyal and humble to yourself, and mainly keep your eyes on the stars but keep your feet on the ground”, this is what he believes is his mantra for making him what he is today and here I am talking about none other than our own versatile singer “Nima Rumba”
“Back then, I remember how much I used to love to dance and through it the interest in music grew in me. While doing high school, I realized I loved music. Then I started taking music as a passion, a hobby and while taking the music further, it came to be a profession. So, here I am moving ahead with music and only music”, shared Nima when I asked him about how his involvement in the industry came about.
Started with a band in the beginning of his musical career, Nima said, “In past, there was a trend to form a band, to participate in live shows. So, I too used to participate with my brother’s friend’s band. My school was at Swoyambhu, Bijeswori and so was the band. After high school, I joined them and it was there where I learnt to sing and play guitar. Things were going on but one day there came a turning point in my life. So, I left my study and chose music to move forward with”.
Nima’s dad is a Thanka artist. He learnt painting from him and believes that painting is in his blood. He thinks that if he would not have been in music field then he too would be a thanka artist like his father. And, if not that,  he, surely, would be working somewhere abroad.
A nature lover at heart, Nima Rumba loves to visit within the country, especially around the rural areas which he wants to explore more about. Manang and Mustang are a few places he has visited alone and with his family.He has been to Pokhara, Chitwan, Kavre, Nagarkot, Tatopani, Dhulikhel .
About his most memorable moment he takes the competition in which his 2^nd band Peace had came in 2^nd on the RARA Nepali music competition as one and as for another one he believes it was when he became father.
Just 5-6 months back, Nima released his 8^th album. Every song he has released is special for him but among them the song “Happy birthday Samuel” from his album Lolita is close to his heart because he had missed his boy’s birthday and in order to make up for it, he wrote this song as a birthday gift for him.

When I asked him whether an artist could move on only by depending on music? He opined that, “Nepali music industry is on the verge of developing as compared to the past.  We have been seeing loads of changes too. In the past, there were only one radio and a TV station. If one song of an artist was played through it then it was like reaching the moon. Pay was low but now there are 300 plus FM stations and dozens of TV stations.  Nationally and internationally concerts are being held. So comparing to the past everything has improved and as Artists of that time survived without having opportunities like today then why can we not? I believe it all depends on one’s way of handling the things that life brings. It is true it is hard to move on in life with music only but if you can adjust the things or can react to the things calmly and seriously then surely anyone can”.
Nepali artists like Aruna Lama, Narayan Gopal, Arun Thapa, Dip Shrestha, Phattey Maan, Harish Mathema are some and internationally it is Michael Jackson, Bob Marely and JJ Kell who inspire Nima to be in music. He loves to tune FM while driving  and loves to watch Nepali TV channels, mostly News station.
About his view on the upcoming new artist, Nima shared “it is really a good thing for the industry that many young and talented artists are being born and are adding many hits to the chart list and it is just awesome. Everyone wants to be famous and popular but the competition is tough and to make it through is a real deal. Back then, I too was a new artist and now I am here, I can understand that struggling phase, that hard time, their feelings”.
He further added, “Time brings both positive along with the negative changes. There was a different kind of struggle back then. Before, there was only one TV station, only one radio to promote the artist. Or there was no media at all. Only platform we had was local stage programs and school, college programs. To play the song on TV and radio at that time was like one reaching moon. But now it is different and things have gotten better. Now, with development in media, anyone’s song is being played, everyone is appearing on TV and sometime it feels like this new platform is being misused. So. what lacks in today’s artist is struggle as a musician.
About the Nepali music industry Nima shared, “Showbiz industry is the richest industry in the worldwide but here in our country it is not like that. We cannot compare the recording level to others; our part is far behind from others. Market is small, there is no money here so may be due to that also the entertainment industry is lagging behind. Moreover, during the monarchy system, artists were taken only as an entertainment material, were taken for the personnel use, they were not given any value, respect and importance so may be due to these factors our talents have yet to come out from behind the curtain.
No one can reach  the depth of the music. Music is about continuity in exploring, creating and never stopping. Here I am in the industry for 20 years but I still am learning, providing the world what I am producing. The thirst never ends here, you create something and next time you want to do much better. There is no stopping in the field as diverse and creative as music.Stopping in the music means the death of the music. I believe I have a long way to go so keeping the hindrances behind that I get on my way I am moving ahead!!!”
Few things about Nima rumba

• Besides music Nima loves to travel new places.
• He adores to try new things, place, food, and new fashion trend.
• Loves to watch movie; can spend whole day just  watching TV.

Shout out to the Folio readers from Nima Rumba: Namaste to all of you. How much you listen to foreign artists or watch TV channels, you should also give priority to Nepali artists and talents. Our industry has always been dominated by our neighboring country and its, culture. I would like to ask Folio readers to be little more respectful to our own talents too. I would not say stop listening to them but still love and support our own artists, industry, players and all. Happy New Year to everyone, enjoy!!!
Edited Version
Ashish Aryal