When did you go to USA and how do you like it?

I came to the US in 2002. Everyone in Nepal dreams of coming to US and I was not different I guess. I have no regrets. I have learnt a lot of positive aspect of American way of life.

When did you start your writing career?

I wrote my first recorded song almost a decade ago. I was a journalist prior to writing song lyrics. So writing was not a new thing to me. I just had to adjust to lyrical style of writing. When my first song “Sanjha Pakha Ekantama” became an instant hit, it provided me a platform to continue writing further.

We still remember your album "Anawaran" which was released on 2002 with famous artists on it; could you please tell us how did you end up bringing this album to the audience? And what was the public response to it?

When “Anawaran” made it debut, I already had more than five years of song writing experience behind me. Public had already credited me for writing numerous good songs by then. At that time I thought, it was the opportune moment to introduce a solo album. With coordinated efforts from singers and composers I was able to bring that album out. Infact, I was unveiling myself for the first time as a lyricist. The album had pop songs, modern songs and even classical songs. I wanted to show the music world that Manoj Acharya indeed was a versatile writer. The album had songs sung by Nabin K Bhattrai, Deepesh Kishore Bhattrai, Sunil Bardewa, Sukmit Gurung, Pramod Upadhay, Ram Krihsna Dhakal, and Pabitra Subba. The album also had a classical song from Nabin Bhattrai’s vocal guru Prabhu Dhakal. The album got good air time at the FM stations nationwide but the economics was not in sync with my expectations. Music lovers were not yet ready for the album of a lyricist. They tend to look at the singers face on the cover and pick up the album.

Normally your songs are sung by Nabin k. Bhattarai? Is it all coincidence or you think Nabin can best sing your songs?

Nabin was my fellow classmate at Budhanilkantha School from 4th grade. Since we were borders we developed a natural bond of friendship between us. Professionally, I could sense his vocal strength and he also new my lyrical power. So it was a good symbiotic working relationship that mutually benefited both of us. By working together we could bring the best out in both of us.

Could you please tell us something about one of your masterpieces "Sajha Pakha Ekanta Maa" which was sung by Nabin K Bhattarai? And how do you define this fascinating song?

In a way this is a tragic song, yet romantic. The song is tragic in the sense that someone dear has gone forever. It is romantic because the void created by the absence makes the person relate to the loving memories. People can move on, but their memories live on. There is life in the memory. The song really captures that imagination.

What are your views about releasing album by lyricist themselves and let different singers sing it? How do you think this would work?

As I have mentioned above, it is not an easy move if you are thinking of making financial gains by releasing albums. I can’t say for sure how the market has progressed in Nepal in the past five years, but relying on the hearsay information, the situation has not changed much. So, I would advise caution. However, it is a great step in establishing oneself in to the music scenario and a good publicity as well. The greatest achievement would be that you can claim that it is your product.  

Who is your most admired lyricist? What influences you about him/her?

Raman Ghimire has been my inspiration from inception. He has helped me in my writing and most importantly he is my greatest critic as well. There are many who say “Great work” but few are positively critical.  Raman Ghimire has guided me in the whole lyrical journey.

What sort of songs do you prefer writing and why?

I have written different kinds of songs: love, tragedy, situational, special events, social etc.  As a lyricist, my aim is to write different types of songs. When it comes to preferring, I prefer songs with message. I believe the lyricists have social responsibilities as well. So, I prefer to write songs with positive message. My goal is to give the listeners some positive things to think about after hearing my songs.

What are your recent and future projects?

I am writing songs whenever I get a chance. I wrote four songs for Nabin when he was here in US last winter. I hope those songs will be recorded soon. Recently my friend and singer Deepesh Bhattrai was in town and we planned to take out an album. Deepesh has agreed to do the composition and management of the album. He was very helpful in my first album as well and I have every reason to be excited that he is going to be a major player in my second album.  I am excited about it.

What are your thoughts about the role of lyrics on the fame of song itself?

No doubt when people listen to the song they first listen to the voice and the music composition.   Being a lyricist myself I do the same. I pay particular attention to the voice and composition first then only then I look into lyrics. But, when the song becomes hit, then the listener digs deeper in the lyrics. People look at the lyrics and determine whether the song is just popular or has weight to be a classical song. It’s like a difference between a shiny gold plated metal and pure heavy gold itself. Great songs with great lyrics fall into the latter category. The quality of lyrics is a determinant factor in making the song immortal.  The more you listen to Sajha pakha… the more you begin to appreciate the song.

Who are your best male and female Nepalese singers? What do you like about them?

Nabin K Bhattrai and Deepesh Kishore Bhattrai are two of my favorites. These singers have knowledge of music and they are versatile in their singing. They are star in their own right. However their path to stardom has been different. Nabin rose to a star in a short time while Deepesh had to work real hard and took more time.

As for the female artists, I have high regards for Reema Gurung. She has such a quality voice that she is one of the best in the business. She has a classical touch in pop songs. She is one of the female artists I would love to work with.

You are one of the responsible authorities of Nepalese lyrics world, don't you think you are missing in those scenarios?

I am and I am not. I am because I have not been able to actively involve myself as I was in the past. However, I am still writing songs and putting in effort to create good songs. So, in that sense I am still contributing to the Nepalese lyrics songs.  I have recorded more than two dozens songs after I came to the US. 

Did you ever make up your mind in writing songs which you want it to sing by any Nepalese legendary singers?

When I was planning for my first album “ANAWARAN” I wanted to have a song from Ram Krishna Dhakal and   Prabhu Dhakal.

I specially wrote the song “HASERA PANI” for Ram Krishna and I wanted to include the composition of Alokshree. They duo of Ram Krishna and Alokshree were at the top and I wanted to be a part of that combination matrix.   People do not know much about Prabhu Dhakal though he has extra ordinary talent in classical music. Prabhu sir, as I call him, is not only Nabin’s vocal teacher, he is a classical singer as well. I wanted to give him the best creation and that was how “Dadelo le manai khayo...” was written.

Will Nepalese audiences back in Nepal still be able to listen to the songs written by you?

I have not been actively writing songs recently due to some unavoidable circumstances. However, I have created song regularly and have released to the Nepalese audiences. In addition to that, as I said before, I am working towards my second album. So I think the Nepalese audiences will soon have opportunity to listen to my songs in the near future.

You have invested so much of your personal time in Nepalese music, is there any thing which you want to address to Nepalese people and whole Nepalese music industry itself which you really do not appreciate?

I give all the kudos to the music fans/audiences.  It’s because of them that we continue to have motivation and grow. They are the roots of our survival. Moving in to the music industry, However, I have a bitter experience.  Nepali music industry is full of opportunist and they are ready to make you “murga”. It’s very hard for the new comer as these people are always looking for victims. There is no professionalism in the industry, yet when it comes to money they act as if they are professionals. I am talking this from my own bitter experiences from the past.  I hope the situation will  change and professionalism will flourished. 

What do you think are the leading roles the Nepalese music artists staying in abroad are playing for the promotion of Nepalese music?

It is hard to dedicate solely to music itself in foreign lands. Truth is that we are on our toes all the time to eke out living. However, I have noticed lots of music artists have found a time to record and promote music. I have seen some people sponsoring albums as well. I think the continuity of the creativity of these artists in difficult circumstance is commendable.

What is Nepalese politics in your view and what do you think it should be like?

I consider myself as politically aware but not politically affiliated. I must say it was the voice of the Prashant Tamang, the winner of Indian Idol that united us (the Nepalese globally) rather than the empty rhetoric’s of Girija or Puspa Kamal. Music always trumps politics.

As being a writer how do you analyze our new national anthem?

I think I have not reached that level to critically evaluate the national anthem and will not do justice, if I tried doing so.  

Is there any message you want to pass on to your well wishers through neprocks.com?