If you may not know the entire lyrics, “katar katar ma” is enough to have anyone singing along incessantly. “Timi chau ki sampati takne, swasni bhanda, dhan pyaro lagne, goru byaudaina, hoo goru byaudaina.” “Katar katar ma, timro jhilke jwai aayo motor ma,” these lyrics make your heart go warm and are still relevant if you’d like to banter with your potential in-laws. This song is neither about romance, heartbreak nor patriotism-it is a light-hearted number where a hopeless romantic is in a bid to impress his potential mother-in-law to give him her daughter’s hand in marriage. This song may not be as familiar with Nepali millennials as the others on this list, but if heard once, you’d want to hear it again. Ram Thapa and Tara Thapa’s Katar katar ma, even though it came out decades ago, is still a popular record for Nepali weddings, particularly for its banter between a mother and her son-in-law. Scored by Indian musician Jaidev, the song is smooth, taking you away to a dreamland of yesteryear. The classic duet with Nepali crooner Premdhoj Pradhan playing off of Usha Mangeshkar is romantic and playful. The song Na maana laaj estari, pictures a newly-married couple singing to one another. A fun fact, Maitighar is the first Nepali film where all three Mangeshkar sisters-Lata, Usha and Asha-lent their voices. However, for me, Na maana laaj estari-which showcases the romance between Sinha and Lohani and was sung by Bhosle’s sibling, Usha Mangeshkar-remains a favourite. The film’s title song-‘ Yo ho mero praan bhanda pyaaro, maitighar’, sung by the legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle, still remains a popular tune for dance performances in cultural shows. Maitighar, even after 53 years, remains evergreen, not just because of its plot and the crackling chemistry between co-stars Mala Sinha and CP Lohani, but also for its magical songs that remain popular with millenials. Maitighar was released in 1966 and went to become outrageously successful as the first Nepali film ever produced under a private banner.

Namana laaj estari-Premdhoj Pradhan and Usha Mangeshkar

Old nepali song lyrics