Identities behind Kutumba

Kutumba is one of the most popular folk instrumental bands in Nepal committed to the research, conservation and celebration of the diverse indigenous Nepali music. The band brings together traditional folk tunes and instruments with new and spontaneous sounds and ideas and is self motivated and self driven with every member having different roots and backgrounds in music.



The band consists of six members who are:

Arun Manandhar on Tungna and Arbajo

One of the few musicians who play the Tungna today, Arun Manandhar learnt to play the guitar from his elder brothers when he was young and when he joined Kutumba he moved on to learning the Tungna. The musician, who also likes to sing during his free time, mentions Deep Shrestha and Deepak Kharel as his favorite Nepali artists.

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Kiran Nepali on Sarangi

The third generation Sarangi player at home, Kiran Nepali literally grew up with music at home. Inspired by his grandfather, father and uncles who were all Sarangi players of their times, he had spent four weeks studying the Sarangi in a well known Gandharva settlement close to Pokhara, named Batulechaur. Besides Sarangi, he also plays guitar.

Pavit Maharjan on Percussion

He started playing the Madal since he was a child, however, he decided to start taking music professionally only after grade twelve and that too with friends’ influence. Then he picked up the keyboards and has since played in big events such as Shikhar tours, Kantipur TV, Taal, Sukrabar, etc. He also manages his shop, teaches keyboard at Shuvatara School and enjoy painting besides being involved with Kutumba.

Raju Maharjan on Percussion

One of the best percussionists in Nepal, Raju Maharjan was inspired by his father to enter into the field. He can play almost every percussion instrument from madal to khin, however, his specialty is the Tabla in which he has a Masters degree from Allahabadh. One who recorded few songs only for his personal interest loves upbeat folk tunes but enjoys singing slow melodious ones. He also teaches music at Shuvatara School.

Rubin Kumar Shrestha on Flute

A small boy of 12 took a fancy to the way Lord Krishna played the flute and today he is the flute player in Kutumba. Rubin started learning the instrument while in school and at the age of twenty, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in classical music. Besides flute, he plays about fifteen other instruments along with composing and arranging music. One who has also traveled across France, Norway, China, India and various parts of Nepal, Rubin teaches music to elementary school students for regular income and spends his remaining time composing and performing with Kutumba.

Siddhartha Maharjan on Effects

Siddhartha developed a taste for music from a very young age as his father owns a record lable and music shop in Thamel. One who plays the effects which include instruments such as ghunguru, murchunga, bhushya, sishya, etc., he joined Kutumba in 2005. He also loves sketching and painting and believes that there is great scope for art in Nepal. He studied at Srijana College of Fine Arts.