Bhaktaraj Acharya: The Voice Full of Devotion and Melody
Singer Bhaktaraj Acharya, also known as “Bhajan Shiromani,” is among Nepal’s most respected and admired singers. His melodic bhajans and deeply emotional ghazals that resonate with the human soul captivated millions of fans. Bhaktaraj’s voice, rich in melody and filled with devotion and heartfelt emotion, remains as popular today as ever. However, his journey took a heartbreaking turn when, at the height of his singing career, he underwent tongue amputation due to cancer, and that sweet voice was never heard again. In honor of this legendary singer’s contributions, Biograph Nepal presents the Biography of Bhajan Shiromani Bhaktaraj Acharya.
- Full Name: Bhaktaraj Acharya
- Honorific nickname: Bhajan Shiromani
- Birth: 2 October 1942, Kurule Tenupa Dhankuta, Nepal
- Profession: Singer, Lyricist, musician
- Genres: Bhajan (Devotional song), Ghazal, Modern Nepali Songs
- Major Influence: Classical and devotional music
- Affiliation: Radio Nepal (Prominent singer and contributor)
- Notable Songs: “Hajar Sapanaharuko Maya”, “Jati Chot Dinchhau Deu Mayalu”, “Jahan Chhan Budhda Ka Akha”, Sab Nidaye Prabhu”, Many more.
- Health Struggle: Diagnosed with tongue cancer, leading to the loss of his voice
Early Life
Bhaktaraj Acharya, son of father Balbhadra Acharya and mother Renu Acharya, was born on 2 October 1942 in the Dhankuta district of Nepal. His family moved to Vasai in Kalimpong, North-Eastern India, to escape the outbreak of the disease epidemic in the said district.
Bhaktaraj Acharya was born into an ordinary family. At the time, his family was facing a serious financial crisis. Bhaktaraj was deeply pained by his father’s death at a young age. After the untimely death of Bhaktaraj’s father, his mother worked in a tea plantation and raised her son.
Bhaktaraj had been interested in music since childhood. So he wanted to learn music, but his mother did not like that her son should move towards music in this way because, at that time, it was not possible to make a bright future by moving towards music. Therefore, Bhaktaraj’s mother wanted her son to pursue higher education so that he could get employment.
On the contrary, Bhaktaraj emerged as a musician. Eventually, he became so fascinated by music that he left school and started accompanying music teachers.
Beginning Of Musical Journey
Bhaktaraj Acharya wanted to become proficient in Nepali music, but he was not getting good opportunities for that because music was not as developed at that time as it is today. Therefore, Bhaktaraj spent his time weaving his dreams with the help of a harmonium.
From Kalimpong to Kathmandu, searching for opportunity
At this point, Bhaktaraj planned to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal, home to Radio Nepal and a vibrant community of musicians, singers, and artists. Consequently, Bhaktaraj Acharya relocated to Kathmandu from Kalimpong with his harmonium. Though his financial situation was challenging, he held onto his dream and was ready to work hard to achieve it.
After coming to Kathmandu, Bhaktaraj sang his songs in various places, making his voice heard. But in a new place and environment, he could not easily make a field for a singer. In addition, he also had a problem with employment. The city life was expensive, and even the little money he had in Kathmandu was gone. Despite struggling with all these circumstances, after not getting any good opportunities and achievements, Bhaktaraj became very sad and returned to Kalimpong.
Bhaktaraj, who was interested in music and was looking for an environment he wanted, did not want to stay in Kalimpong again. Also, after he could not do anything, family conflict started. Finally, Bhaktaraj came to Kathmandu again. When he decided to go to Kathmandu, Bhaktaraj again told his family and village neighbors that he would not return home until he could become a successful singer.
Thus, Bhaktaraj Acharya came to Kathmandu again and went through a lot of pain and struggle to establish himself in the music field of Nepal. After returning to Kathmandu, his former colleagues know many stories of the hardships and efforts he faced to become a successful singer.
Singer Bhaktaraj’s hard work paid off
It is said that nothing is impossible for a hardworking person. Although success may be achieved a little late, it will definitely be achieved. Revealing this fact, spring also came to Bhaktaraj’s dream flower garden, and his struggle turned into victory.
In 1974, Radio Nepal was organizing an annual singing and musical competition. Singer Bhaktaraj Acharya participated in the national-level singing competition organized under this and won the gold medal. This success opened the door of his destiny, which allowed Bhaktaraj to decorate his beautiful musical flower garden.
After his outstanding success in the singing competition, Bhaktaraj also received other opportunities. As a result, he secured a job at Radio Nepal, marking the beginning of his flourishing music career’s colorful world.
Rising to musical fame
The following days of singer Bhaktaraj Acharya came as a new spring. Whatever he sang would have stayed in the hearts of his fans. At that time, mobile phones and the internet, like today, had not entered Nepal. The only entertainment or music medium for the common people was the radio.
Once upon a time, Bhaktaraj Acharya’s songs would be echoed on Radio Nepal for days. His songs were so popular that thousands of listeners would request Radio Nepal to listen to them. His songs stayed in people’s hearts. Even a child would know that Bhaktaraj Acharya was a modern Nepali singer.
Bhaktaraj had often sang modern songs. Because his interest was in classical music, he also sang Nepali ghazals. At that time, the songs sung by Bhaktaraj, such as “Jati Chot Dinchhau Deu Mayalu,” “Hajar Sapana Haru Ko,” “JJaha Chhan Buddha Ka Akha” (national song), and “Na yata Bhaye Na Uta Bhaye” (neither here nor there), etc. dozens of songs were most popular. They are liked by everyone from the young to the old.
Singer Bhaktaraj Acharya, established as a Bhajan Shiromani
The famous singer Bhaktaraj Acharya has not only sung love songs, ghazals, and national songs, but his bhajan singing is equally admirable and immortal. Dozens of bhajans sung in his melodious voice used to resonate on Radio Nepal and Nepal Television early in the morning. But today, there are hardly any such religious rituals in Nepal where the bhajans of the great musician Bhaktaraj Acharya do not resonate.
The veteran singer Bhaktaraj Acharya is not only called Bhajan Shiromani, but the simple, simple and devotional Bhajans in his Bhajans inspire the person’s mind to flow with spiritual feelings. He appeals to devote himself to the devotion of God and gives the devotees detachment.
It is said that music is a tool that can easily melt a person’s mind, seduce, and bring detachment. If there is also the magic of sweetness in the voice of the person who sings, the music becomes even more fragrant and remains forever alive as an immortal sign of that singer. Many of the Bhajan Shiromani Bhaktaraj Acharya’s Bhajans, including “Sab Nidaya Prabhu,” “Ram Yahi Chhan Shyam Yahi Chhan,” etc., are filled with the spiritual magic of this music..
The Tragic Turn: Losing His Voice
Thus, veteran singer Bhaktaraj Acharya was climbing the ladder of popularity and success. But fate did not allow this success to last, and suddenly, a tragic eclipse took place in his life. We are forced to write his life story here as a history filled with pain.
In the year 1990, an incident occurred; according to the sources, a tragic attack was made on singer Bhaktaraj Acharya. Due to this, he suffered a serious head injury. After that, he was immediately taken to Bir Hospital, and neurosurgeon Dr. Upendra Devkota performed a head operation on him. But it took him 12 days to recover. This incident suddenly created a crisis in the singing career of singer Bhaktaraj Acharya.
But 1993 an even more tragic eclipse entered Bhaktaraj’s musical life. The news was very shocking for all music lovers in Nepal. The day it was discovered that the small wound on the tongue of veteran singer Bhaktaraj Acharya was ulcerated, and finally, after re-examination, it was identified that his tongue was cancerous.
After that, his treatment began in a renowned hospital in India. However, the doctors advised that since the infection on his tongue was cancerous, it would be better to cut off the tongue. Otherwise, it would spread elsewhere in another part of the body and put the patient’s life at risk.
So, it was better to cut off the tongue than to risk his life, and finally, the tongue was cut off. Thus, we Nepalis were forced to see a veteran singer with a sweet voice who would never be able to sing again.
The silence of singer Bhaktaraj did not mark the end of his legacy
After that, singer Bhaktaraj Acharya could not even eat solid food, let alone sing, and for many years, he survived by eating milk or liquid. This tragic event left many of his aspirations unfulfilled. However, despite these challenges, he has realized his dream of contributing timeless songs to the Nepali music industry.
People used to say that a person with cancer would only live for a few years. But Bhaktaraj Acharya, due to timely and proper treatment and perhaps the love and goodwill of everyone, lived for another 30 years despite his cancer and got the opportunity to see many changes in Nepal.
Losing his medium of expression is extremely painful for any artist, but for Acharya, whose voice was a divine connection and source of inspiration for many, the tragedy was immense. However, his silence did not mark the end of his legacy.
Life Journey After loss of Voice
Despite losing his singing ability, Bhaktaraj Acharya remained inspiring in the Nepali music industry. His resilience and unwavering spirit made him an even bigger icon.
Singer Bhaktaraj Acharya was not a man who gave up on life, but fate cut him in half. In between, he lived through days of great disappointment and sorrow. But his beloved life partner, Susila, and his great sons Satya and Swaroop never let Bhaktaraj despair, providing constant care and encouragement, which enabled him to live for a long time.
His sons, Satyaraj Acharya and Swaroop Raj Acharya, followed in his footsteps and became singers, carrying forward their father’s musical legacy. Satyaraj and his brother Swaroop Raj Acharya reintroduced Bhaktaraj Acharya’s songs to a new generation.
A biographical film, Acharya (2011), was made to honor the life of the popular singer Bhaktaraj Acharya. It starred his son Satyaraj in the lead role and depicted his struggles, triumphs, and heartbreaking losses.
However, his musical career lasted only about two decades. Even before his surgery in 1994, singer Bhaktaraj Acharya gave his greatest gift to the Nepali people, singing over 450 songs and composing over two dozen songs during this period. His many music albums are released as presents for the Nepali musical Sky.
Although he could no longer sing, his wisdom and experience inspired young musicians and fans alike. Even in silence, his presence was enough to bring people to tears at music events.
Sadly, Demise: Singer Bhaktaraj Acharya, who won a deadly disease like cancer and remained a respected figure in the Nepali music industry for more than 3 decades, died at Nepal Medicity Hospital on February 26, 2024, due to health complications. Thus, we have lost the physical presence of Nepal’s melodious voice, the Bhajan Shiromani, and the veteran classical music singer forever.
Enduring Legacy and Influence
Despite the cruel twists of fate, Bhaktaraj Acharya’s influence on Nepali music remained unwavering. His songs were constantly appreciated, and his name was spoken with reverence. His struggle and resilience inspired many, symbolizing the impermanence of worldly blessings and the enduring power of art. Thus, singer Bhaktaraj’s legacy stands as a giant and immortal star in the firmament of Nepali music.
His son, Satyaraj Acharya, followed in his father’s footsteps, carrying forward his musical legacy. Through Satyaraj and other admirers, Bhaktaraj Acharya’s melodies continued to resonate, keeping his voice alive in the hearts of his listeners.
Even without his voice, Bhaktaraj Acharya remains immortal through his music, teachings, and the love of his countless fans. His life stands as a testament to devotion, perseverance, and the eternal beauty of art. He is an inspiration to all music students and an exemplary teacher who will live on forever.
Conclusion
Bhaktaraj Acharya’s life story is one of immense talent, deep dedication, and unparalleled resilience. Even though fate took away his singing talent, it could never silence his profound impact on Nepali music and culture. His bhajans and ghazals have become timeless treasures, inspiring generations with depth and intimacy.
Singer Bhaktaraj Acharya, an immortal star of Nepal, will continue to shine brightly in the Nepali musical sky. His legacy is not only in the songs he sang but also in the emotions he evoked and the devotion he instilled in the hearts of his fans. Even in silence, Bhaktaraj Acharya’s voice resonates through his music – always eternal, unwavering, and unforgettable.
The life story of the great singer Bhajan Shiromani cannot be contained in a few paragraphs on this page, and his contributions cannot be included in a few words of our praise. This is all the tribute from Biograph Nepal to honor him.
May the hymn Shiromani Bhaktaraj Acharya remain immortal forever!!
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