Prem Dhoj Pradhan (Nepali: प्रेम ध्वज प्रधान) is one of the veteran musician in Nepalese music industry. Born in 1938 in a small town 28 miles east of Kathmandu named Chautara, he was brought up in an environment where the music was profoundly valued . He is a singer, composer, and a regional playback singer. He sings in the two major languages of Nepal: Nepal Bhasa and Nepali. He is renowned for being the Golden Voice and King of Romantic Melodies of Nepal. Prem Dhoj is popular for being the first to perform with a guitar in Nepal. He was also the first Nepali singer to collaborate with Indian playback singer Usha Mangeshkar for the movie Maitighar in 1965. In 1985, he sang duet songs with Asha Bhosle for the movie Mayalu in Bombay, India. Prem Dhoj has varied his musical style throughout his career and recorded approximately 700 songs on Radio Nepal, including live broadcasting and recorded songs.
Early life
Mr. Pradhan received his first lesson of music from his mother, Pran Devi Pradhan & basic classical music from late Mr. Ganesh Lal Shrestha for 15 months from 1954.
In 1952, Prem Dhoj was barely sixteen when he participated in a voice test sponsored by Radio Nepal. The first song he sang was Yad Kasaikko Aairahecha Yo Andheri Ratama.
Prem Dhoj became the most sought-after artist by organizers of cultural programs in Nepal.
By 1957 he was still wavering between patriotic songs (led by songs like yo Nepali Shir Wuchali (this was the first Nepali (patriotic) duet song with Tara Devi ever recorded on Radio Nepal.) and between romantic melodies of lost love
In 1961, Prem Dhoj was physically compelled to stop singing as a non-malignant growth of polyp was detected in his left vocal cord. After a successful surgery he refrained from singing for two years. This was also a significant time in his career because it provided him the time to turn inward and reflect on his life passion. It was a landmark era for him, first because during the forced interval Prem Dhoj discovered the guitar and made it a part if his new style, and secondly because it was only after the operation that Prem Dhoj started recording his songs in earnest.
It was a landmark era for him, first because during the forced interval Prem Dhoj discovered the guitar and made it a part if his new style, and secondly because it was only after the operation that Prem Dhoj started recording his songs in earnest. With fresh areas of inspiration in store, Prem Dhoj had barely re-emerged on a local musical scene when He was awarded a prize for the best voice in the All Nepal Modern Songs Competition in 1963.
After having achieved a distinct technical surety Prem Dhoj produced a series of brilliant and successful recordings. It was in autumn of 1963 that his first ever L.P discs (two L.P discs 78 r.p.m with hit numbers like goreto tyo gaunko, Maya na mara mayalu, Ruka ya na ruka and Timi aayo mero dil ma, Rajamti, Wachu Gali, Wangu Lapte Etc) were recorded. By the end of 1969 he had already recorded 32 songs. He also worked 40 hours a week in Kathmandu U.S.I.S office to scrape a living while at the same time attending an evening college and graduated in an Arts degree in 1967.
Unable to find a sponsor he personally funded eleven out of his sixteen discs.
Towards the end of 1964 Prem Dhoj recorded a group of songs—eight in Nepali and six in Nepal Bhasa, his native language, several of which are well-known festival songs listened to this day
In November 1965 Prem Dhoj was invited by the celebrated Indian music director Jaidev to accompany Usha Mangeshker in a duet for the Nepali film, Maiti Ghar. Prem Dhoj’s duet with Usha, composed by Jaidev, is a classic in Nepal, particularly for its lyrical atmosphere of romance.
After having achieved a distinct technical surety Prem Dhoj produced a series of brilliant and successful recordings. It was in autumn of 1963 that his first ever L.P discs (two L.P discs 78 r.p.m with hit numbers like goreto tyo gaunko, Maya na mara mayalu, Ruka ya na ruka and Timi aayo mero dil ma, Rajamti, Wachu Gali, Wangu Lapte Etc) were recorded. By the end of 1969 he had already recorded 32 songs. He also worked 40 hours a week in Kathmandu U.S.I.S office to scrape a living while at the same time attending an evening college and graduated in an Arts degree in 1967.
Unable to find a sponsor he personally funded eleven out of his sixteen discs.
Towards the end of 1964 Prem Dhoj recorded a group of songs—eight in Nepali and six in Nepal Bhasa, his native language, several of which are well-known festival songs listened to this day
In November 1965 Prem Dhoj was invited by the celebrated Indian music director Jaidev to accompany Usha Mangeshker in a duet for the Nepali film, Maiti Ghar. Prem Dhoj’s duet with Usha, composed by Jaidev, is a classic in Nepal, particularly for its lyrical atmosphere of romance.