Ramji Nepali: A passionate singer of national anthems of various nations

By Ram Bahadur Thapa

If you see a person walking along the bank of the Phewa Lake carrying the Moon-and Sun-spangled flag and a backpack, and trying to find a place for singing, he is no more than Ramji Nepali. Nepali is a world traveler on a mission of singing the national anthems of various countries.

These days Ramji can be seen singing the national anthems of different countries on the footpath along the bank of the Phewa Lake. There is movement of visitors in Pokhara as it is a tourist season in this lake city and Nepali does not want to miss this opportunity to present his singing talents before the domestic and foreign visitors.

He says he has been singing the national anthems of different countries on the Phewa bank targeting the foreign tourists. On Friday, Nepali reached the footpath at Hallanchok. The national flag of Nepal was fluttering nearby. After arranging the music equipment and sound system, the tune of Nepali national anthem could be heard and Nepali started singing it.

The singing of the national anthems of different countries started with the singing of Nepal’s national anthem. By the late afternoon, a cool breeze started blowing on the lake side and Nepali was still singing the national anthems of different countries. Tourists could be seen strolling around. And there were a good number of foreigners among them.

Wherever Nepali reaches within the country, he starts off by singing Nepal’s national anthem first and then those of other countries. He then sings the national anthem of India and China followed by that of other nations. Last Friday as well he did just that. As he started singing the national anthem of India, two Indian visitors stopped by as they heard their national anthem being sung.

People assembled at the spot and started keenly listening Nepali’s singing of national anthems of various countries. Many people clicked his photos and took videos on their mobiles. When he was about to sing the American national anthem, a group of British tourists arrived. Someone from the group whispered in Nepali’s ear to sing the British national anthem. The group also sang together with him. The Britons were amused to see a foreigner sing their national anthem in another continent.

Nepali has set off on a world national anthem singing tour to spread the message of world peace, friendship, cultural tourism and goodwill. Currently, he is touring various places within the country itself after his world to foreign countries was hampered by COVID-19.

“I have been moving ahead my world national anthem singing tour based in Pokhara of late as Pokhara is the ‘tourism capital’ of Nepal. I have been coming to the lake side almost daily these days as it is a tourism peak season,” he said.

As he said, he is on a mission to connect Nepal with the world market and promote tourism. “Although the goal of making a world tour singing the national anthems of all the countries is difficult, I am unwaveringly dedicated to my mission,” a determined Nepali shared on the occasion.

Nepali fluently sings the national anthems of 150 countries and has so far visited 11 countries in course of his world tour.

Three months back, he has been to the United Arab Emirates on his first foreign visit since COVID-19 pandemic. He is managing funds for the world tour on charity from his relatives, friends and well-wishers.

Nepali had started the world tour from Belgium in 2017. He recalled the moments singing the national anthem in various towns and public places in France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Singing French national anthem from the Eiffel Tower

When I was on the Eiffel Tower, I was singing the national anthem of France. My trip to Europe had been possible in coordination of Nepali overseas. Three years ago, I was on the Chennai-Himanchal Pradesh Trip in Nepal.

The nation anthem of Nepal lies in his heart and whenever he got ready to sing the national anthem of respective country, he first choose to cite the song expressing the Nepal’s identity that is “Sayaun Thunga Foolka Hami, Eautai Mala Nepali”.

COVID -19 pandemic postponed his goal of steeping on 232 countries in the world, singing the national anthems of 195 countries by 2025. In addition to this, economic issue is one of the pressing challenges he is facing at the moment to continue with his ‘journey with the purpose’.

Amidst multiple challenges, he is passionate in collecting national anthems of the countries in the world and continuing singing practice. “I am not deviated from my aim, I am focusing on it and waiting for a right time to cheer up,” he said.

Nepali, who was born in Bhurlangkhu of Baglung municipality-6 in Baglung, has dreamt of keeping the world record as the person with the abilities to sing the highest number of national anthems. On the top of it, he cherishes to promote Nepal’s identity as the nation of Gautam Buddha, Mt Everest and the nation blessed with natural beauty around the world.

“To promote Nepal’s tourism is one of the goals of my journey. I want to tell the people across the globe that Nepal is a beautiful country and request them to visit it at least once in their life.”

He said so far he received no official assistance for his trip. Nepali searches the national anthems of various nations and their music tracks with the help of ‘Google’, ‘YouTube’.

To sing the national anthems of different nations in different languages keeping their essence alive is really challenging, according to him. The singer says he will join the mainstream music once he completes his journey to the world.