Shweta Punjali

Shweta Punjali primarily a Nepali Adhunik (Nepali modern/contemporary) singer and her songs generally use western musical instruments such as the keyboard, guitar, violin and percussion. In addition singing in Nepali language, she also sings religious (bhajans) and classical Hindi, Bengali and Pakistani Punjabi and Urdu songs. She also sings western pop and Indipop. She has trained under the highly respected music teacher Gurudev Kamat at the Nepal Music Centre in both classical and contemporary styles of Nepali singing. ==Career==

Reality TV Nepali Tara In 2006, Shweta Punjali auditioned for, and was selected as a contestant for the second season of Nepali Tara. She progressed through the competition, reaching the top-20 and then top-10 stages. Until the top-10 stage, decisions on retention or elimination were taken by a panel of judges however, once reaching the top-10, these decisions were taken through popular voting sent in through mobile short messages (SMS). Shweta was eliminated at rank 7, becoming just one of three female singers to reach the top-10 and the highest ranked female singer that year. Singing Debut album – Udaan On 4 April 2015, Shweta Punjali launched her debut album Udaan (translated: Taking Flight) in the Nepal capital Kathmandu's Theatre Village. The album was launched by renowned singer Deep Shrestha and the event was attended by the who's who of Nepal's music scene. The album was also simultaneously launched on iTunes Store, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer and other online music stores. Udaan was also the first mainstream Nepali music album (fully produced in Nepal) to be released online to a global audience. Udaan includes six songs, all of which are written by noted Nepali poet Durga Lal Shrestha and composed by master composer Nhyoo Bajracharya. Shweta won the Best New Talent award at the 2016 edition of Nepali Music Video Award for her song Achamma Lagyo Malai from Udaan. Second album In October 2015, Shweta Punjali announced that she is working on her second album, which would include songs written by Durga Lal Shrestha and Nepali poet and philosopher Viplob Pratik, and music composed by Nhyoo Bajracharya. Some of the songs featuring in this album include Aau Na Aau, Maile Palasha and Dekhnu Timilai. Singles Shweta Punjali has also released few singles by herself or in collaboration with other artists and musicians. Two prominent singles include: Sanchi Mero, a bhajan-inspired song, written by Ratna Shamsher Thapa and composed by Prabhu Raj Dhakal; and Ko Pase Chha, written Gita Pantha and composed by Deepak Jangam. Connecticut State, United States of America, and performed with musicians such as Nhyoo Bajracharya and singers like Babu Bogati. ==Discography and awards==

Shweta Punjali originally hails from the Nepali hill district of Arghakhanchi. She was born in Palpa and grew up in Pokhara and Bhairahawa before moving to Kathmandu for her master's degree at the Kathmandu University School of Management. ==References==