Profile

Naresh Dev Pant, one of the most sought after lyricists today and grandson of the late great Shankar Dev Pant was born on February 20, 1974 to Basu Dev Pant and Chandra Pant at Putalisadak, Kathmandu. He did his schooling from Padmodaya School, Putalisadak from where he also received his School Leaving Certificate (SLC). Later he joined Shankar Dev Campus from where he completed his Masters in Business Administration. Since his childhood, Naresh was of a happy-go-lucky sort of a person. He always preferred hanging around with his friends but was never mischievous until he completed his SLC. Without hesitating a slightest bit he shares, "During my younger days, I indulged in every possible deed...good and bad! But no grievances and no regrets! When I think about those days, I tend to take it as a part of growing up."

Right from a tender age, reciting poems on radio, doing theatre and acting on TV serials had always been his favorite indulgences.

ENTRY IN THE MUSIC SCENE

So far, Naresh has written lyrics for over 100 songs. He informs that he prefers writing songs based on reality. In 1996, with the song "Bajaunda Bajaundai", he introduced himself into the Music Industry of Nepal. The song was written by him and was sung by singer Nabin K Bhattarai. By the way Naresh and Nabin are childhood friends. With time, Naresh excelled in his writing skills and on the other hand, his best friend Nabin was making excellent strides on the pop circuits.

Naresh's lyrics have been chosen by most of the popular and happening artists of the Music Industry. Some of his songs awarded by Hits FM at their annual Music Awards are "Na Aue Mero Nagik" sung by Tsering Bhutia and Sukmit Gurung, "Goreto Ani" sung by Sunil Bardewa and "Dobato" sung by Nabin K Bhattarai. Besides these, there are countless number of songs which have been awarded by other radio and TV stations.

Before he started writing songs, he had kept himself busy by writing poems for children and writing dialogues for plays for the Radio. It was only after his friends continuous encouragement that he decided to take up writing songs. So far, he has released three albums which comprises of only his lyrics. One of them is 'Sagarmatha' which consists of six numbers, all of which is sung by Thupden Bhutia and Lasimit Rai. The other album is 'Yathartha' which Naresh informs us that all the songs on it are based on the realities of life. His last album is '100 % Pure Hits'. This album has six of his earlier numbers and six from his new collection. The positive factors regarding his lyrics is that they are not complicated and are mostly based on day to day happenings and the words used are also very simple and easy for one to understand them. Naresh feels that a song is appreciated and receives recognition only if it carries a sentiment. While writing songs, he never categories it as pop or a modern number, further adding, "If that number is sung by Nabin it becomes pop and if the same number is sung by Phatteman Raj Bhandari it becomes a modern track!"

Naresh opines that one cannot lead a decent life by just writing songs. However, he shares that he is content with what he has managed to achieve so far and especially when he is talked about in certain gatherings. "When an artist comes looking for me to write lyrics for them, I feel good on my achievements. I believe that we, the present generation of lyricists need to create a platform for others to follow. So that the coming generation can make their living out of this profession". However, it has its limitations. He shares, "I hate it when someone tends to ignore you even if you have done so much for him/her. A person always has to be down-to-earth. Just because you have become a star does not mean that you have to forget where you come from and the humble beginnings. People who become friends for a purpose and then dump you. I have come across artists who begged me to write songs for them and once they make it, act as if they don't know me and pretend I do not exist even when I am right in front of them."

For a few years, he worked at Hits FM as a radio jockey, and is now, one of the directors at Green Productions Pvt. Ltd. , one of the leading event and logistic media management houses in Kathmandu. Besides his hectic schedule, he also takes time out to direct and produce documentaries and short movies. To his credit, he has already made this excellent short movie called 'Job Application'. In fact 'Job Application', was recently screened at 'Cannes Film Festival'. These days he is quite occupied with organizing 'Short Movies Festival' in Nepal and doing research work on documentary productions.

Of all his work, he states that he prefers writing down songs the most, as he feels that writing songs is what introduced him and has given him the recognition. He says that he has been inspired to write because of Swor Samrat Narayan Gopal and Gopal Yonzon. He has decided to take a break with writing songs these days though, but promises to begin writing again soon.

ME/MYSELF

I don't like tensions. I like to live life with a positive attitude. I believe and I think that I am a very co-operative and a helpful person ! I am a lover of art...any art.

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

"Unless and until a couple don't understand each other fully...it cannot be termed as love. That sort of relation should be best termed as infatuation. Love is something which is pure, where there is no pretence and no selfishness." claims Naresh. As for marriage he agrees with the popular saying -- "Marriages are made in heaven". He got married four year back. It was in 1990 that he first met his wife Nira. The meeting later turned into something else and then eventually love. After 10 years of courting each other, they decided to tie the knot. They now have a son Aamurt, who is two years old. "I am happy with Life" states the 'young' old man