In Memory of the Melody Queen: Tara Devi

Turning the pages of the rich history of Nepalese music one meanders upon legendary names, each earning a spot as a legend to their contribution to music, amongst these illustrious names is the Late Tara Devi. Born in the year 1945 in Kathmandu, Tara Devi’s journey into music began early on at the tender age of 8 when she started singing for Radio Nepal making a name for herself in the music scene with her mellifluous voice and tunes. Throughout her wonderful music career Devi recorded more than 4,000 songs some of which still remain popular to date.

15 years after her death, the legendary voice dubbed the “Melody Queen” earned her moniker as the best female lead through grit and hard-work. Practicing her vocals daily at home from a young age, Tara Devi disliked going out much for gatherings and instead dedicated herself to music. Suman Kharel, a senior journalist and a family friend of Devi recalls Tara Devi as always being polite and humble despite her years in music.

Tara Devi throughout her life walked to and for her home in Baneshwor to Radio Nepal.

Despite her widespread popularity and status in the industry she had a sour relationship with another Legendary singer the Late Narayan Gopal. Tara Devi was fired from her part-time job at the National theater while Narayan Gopal was the General Manager of the Theatre. Ever since despite working on countless songs they never conversed with each other.

While recording for the Nepali Film “Sindoor” the producers had both singers come in at different times to sing their duet to keep them from meeting each other.

Tara Devi, primarily voiced the songs written by then Queen Aishwarya, immortalizing them forever in the history books. Tara Devi who enjoyed a rather joy filled life however faced tremendous sorrow in the latter end of it. It started with the death of her eldest son to blood cancer, then the death of her pilot husband during a flight to Mustang. She suffered from Alzheimer's at the tail ends of her life. She passed away in the year 2006

After her demise the Tara Devi Foundation was established in her memory, says Prakash Sayami, Senior Music Critic of the Foundation. Tara Devi may not be living today but her music lives on through the ages.