Surya Narayan Manandhar and Maya Manandhar at Paknajol, Kathmandu. He is the youngest in the family and has four other siblings and says that he spent his entire childhood in Kathmandu.
He informs that he was a mischievous kid. "I preferred reading comics rather than text books at school. At times, I was interested in art and I had a keen interest in acting as well!". As mentioned by him, he had loads of friends but used to get on very well with one of his eldest brothers -- Suresh Manandhar, who was 'more of a friend than a brother'.
He did his schooling from Shanti Bidhay Griya, from where he also received his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) as well after which, he joined People's Campus and pursued his education till Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA) Second Year.
ENTRY IN THE MUSIC SCENE
Since the time he can remember, Joheb says his interests lay in music. Before he started his career in singing, he loved to participate at various deusi bhailo sessions and even used to participate in a few programs...sing songs and also compose music. While in school, he did participate in school functions on numerous occasions. Remembering his yesteryears he gets nostalgic. "The memories are still fresh of the days when I sang songs and recited poems on Radio. That was while I was studying in class five!"
During those days, he started learning to play the drums. "After some years, we even formed a band 'Who Does' and used to practice a lot especially covers of English numbers. We wanted to excel in the field!" informs Joheb. Around that period, a collection album 'Talents First' was released and they sang "Mayalu Heri Deu" on it. But due to various unavoidable circumstances especially due to studies, 'Who Does' was disbanded after a very short stint. After completing his SLC, Joheb formed yet another band 'Kath Shine' The band members comprised of his big brother Suresh on drums, Purna Ghale on guitar and Joheb on vocals. In 1997, they released their first album 'Samjhanako Chautarima'. However, the album didn't do that well commercially. In 2001, they came up with their second album 'Kath Shine II'. One of the songs on it called "Ma Yesto Geet Gaunchu" was not only well-received but also introduced Joheb as a genuine talent in the Music Industry of Nepal. In 2003, they released their third album 'Kath Shine III'.
Joheb has traveled to most of the places in Nepal to perform at numerous programs. He has also been to India, Hong Kong and Dubai constantly in regard to doing shows. As of now, he is busy with the preparation of releasing his next album 'Revive' to be released under the Maha Boudha Records label within this month itself.
BESIDES MUSIC
Since the past three years, Joheb has been working on his music career simultaneously along with his businesses. With his elder brothers, he has been operating a Nepali restaurant in Dubai and hence, requires him to travel constantly from Nepal to Dubai and vice versa. Besides this, he is also into Carpet and Pashmina products. He mentions that Nepalis living in Dubai are doing fantastically well for themselves further adding, "The Nepali musicians are quite in demand in Dubai. So as to do a show there together with business calls, he will be again going to Dubai on August 8."
ME/MYSELF
I am a reserved person and have this habit of trusting people very easily...in just one go. I am not someone who can talk on myself...but I have my own identity in my own circles.
LOVE/MARRIAGE
Love is all about trust and when it is there, "love" is everything but when the trust part is lacking, it is nothing. Marriage on the other hand is all about understanding. "I believe that marriages are made in heaven!" claims Joheb.
After three years of courting Liza Dali, Joheb and Liza decided to get married. "Five years back, I saw Liza at a supermarket in Kathmandu... at one of my friend's shop. We got introduced soon after and now, as the saying goes, the rest is history! Since then, we have been living together...happily!