Interview by: Binju
Photos by: Kesh

The Band was near to disband after encountering failure upon failure. Supporters as well as team themselves were baffled when first album "Sahar Timro" flopped in market. They had already expensed a lot for first album that went in vain. Continuing the loss three members left band at the same time. SMS (Surendra Man Singh)  proved his musical ability during second attempt "Hukka". Here we bring Karma band and their musical upheavals.

Hello and welcome to babbaal talkies.
Thank you.

What was your exercise while forming a band?
SMS: Well, we were studying in school that time in Birgunj. While shifting here in Kathmandu from Birgung Prashant, Rabin, Rajit and me we four decided to form a musical band. After six months workout we launched the very first album in the market.

What made you to form a band? Why didn't you dare to sing single?
SMS: From my childhood, I came to experience music in a group. I got to understand music in band which incites us to form a band to expose our talent. This is my taste.

After forming a band how hard you workout to launch first album?
SMS: I used to perform from my school days so there wasn't problem for me. But some other friends practiced hard.

What type of band is Karma? How would you like to introduce it?
Pramod: It is fusion based folk rock band. Generally, we recognize as folk rock based. But we give verities as well. Normally our slow n' Karma flavor songs get into market.

What the word "Karma" stands for?
SMS: We believe in Karma so the reason our band is named as Karma. Particular style that listeners feel in our music or let's say fusion between traditional and western music. Our each album has Karma flavor songs as well as there is a solitary in our lyrics.

Why do you always sing love stories? Isn't there any other theme to sing for?
Pramod: While singing we have to mull over market too. In fact we have sung other theme too. In Karma album there is a song titled Karma, the song was about nationality. The song says besides of being Nepali, citizen of beautiful country why do we migrate abroad? This song is totally different, we have experimented few lines of lyrics with extended music track.
SMS: We can imagine so many things about patriotism listening this song.

"Suparidana" from new album Karma, what type of song is it? What message you are trying to convey in public from this song?
SMS: this song is especially for fun. By using typical Nepali words like "khar ko chhano", we are trying to revive such words that are being extinct amidst new generation.

Your fans complain, Karma has weak lyrics in their songs. What you say?
SMS: I don't think so. In my point of view, our lyrics are perfect. I don't think there's a weak point in our lyrics. We work hard to finalize it.
Pramod: Folk, fast track might be somehow weak but slow numbers like "maunta", "china maile timro chitta dukhayeko", "na lukau" they are strong by lyrics.Which is the perfect part of your songs lyrics or composition?
SMS: In my view all parts, music, lyrics all are equally perfect.
Pramod: Composition is best part in our songs.
Anel: As a whole music is the best part in our songs.

At the same time Karma is putting hands on so many things. One hand you are working to deliver songs on the other hand you are doing the job of video directors. Why don't you concentrate on delivering sound lyrics along with best composed music?
SMS: We need to look at our market first. If it would have been larger and prosperous one then we'd not have to do all these things on our own. Our musical market is not grown up yet. Is it? Being here, still we cannot approach standard life. In this case, we are compelled to be commercial one. And yes, interest is another reason.

Your best renowned songs "maunta" and "china maile timro", are directed by others. Why such beautiful numbers are given to others? Aren't you able enough to direct yourself?
SMS: At that time, we already have done "Hukka", "Suparidana", "Maryo Jiudai Maryo" so we wanted to taste others. We thought let's practice more and concentrate on music, that's why we handed these videos to others.

Karma is criticized for consistent singing style.
Anel: Let's check those who complained this. How many of them have our album in their home? Have they listen all of our songs? Rarely people buy cds, rest began to complain meaninglessly.
SMS: Up to Hukka and SMS, people haven't noticed us that way but after releasing "Suparidana" in Karma listeners perceive us unchanged. But we want to continue this. We want to continue Karma flavor.

What could be the reason for not buying your album? Is it because of your weak music?
Anel: People don't want to expense. They are guided by piracy and they don't want to uplift Nepali music. They watch music videos on television and start criticizing.

What is Karma flavor then?
SMS: Our own singing style, instruments we use, shooting venue in all these matters we continue to present our same style but different than others. As you said, similar type. This is Karma flavor.

Karma band is calculated as Newari special band. What you say?
SMS: It's not true! (laughs). All of our band members are Newar, being Newar I personally enjoy playing Newari musical instruments but we play madal, murchunga, panche baja, sarangi and others. If you listen whole songs of our each album then you will get sound of all these instruments. We are keen to continue our traditional music that is being extinct in new generation. We want to promote neglected side of Nepali music.

What different taste you are trying to give with fusion of western music and traditional Nepali music?
Pramod: Not just Karma, other bands also can use this type of technique. In fact some other bands are also doing fusion music. We want to deliver different taste to our audience. Until now, our audiences appreciate this fusion so this makes us continue. Except this we want preserve our typical music.

Which one is the most wanted album of Karma?
SMS: Commercially "Hukka" is the most sold album of Karma band. But considering the work level and perfection the latest album "Karma" is the best one.

What specialty comprise "Karma" album?
SMS: It is strongest from all stand view. Music, lyrics, composition everything has done beautifully. It is a standardize complete album. We haven't hired anything for this album, all things are done live and on own, nothing has synthesize.

Karma's stage performance is getting better comparing previous years. Why is so?
SMS: We six band members after the album "SMS" are the soul reason for this otherwise we don't practice much. We symbolically communicate on the stage, our team understanding as well as communication is better than before so team as a whole is doing good these days.

Three years before three members, two guitarists left band together. Was there any specific reason?
SMS: After our first album "Sahar Timro", two members left the band due to their personal reason. They headed abroad for study. Our first album flopped the market, personally I had ego to prove myself. Then we did "Hukka", it succeed so I was proved. Up to then we are about to collapse the band. We reach in conclusion that there is no future in music. By then almost all members were changed. Now we have better dedicated members.

What type of music you prefer to listen?
SMS: I listen rock music. Bad Company, Lenny Karavitz, Aerosmith etc are my selection.
Pramod: I listen jazz, blues and phunk numbers. Metallica, Rush. In Nepali I used to listen Narayan Gopal.
Anel: There are so many bands and artists.

Which is your favorite musical instrument?
Anel: Drum
Pramod: Sarangi, Drum, etc
SMS: Piano, Sarangi.

Here's a personal querry for SMS. In live performance, all band members get in the stage. Lately u join them in the posy way chewing bubble gum. Is that your style?
SMS: Chewing bubble gum is not common. May be sometime I have done that while performing live. But normally I do not chew that. Ya I join them late because they have to play the instruments so they need time to prepare first. What shall I do standing in the stage while tuning guitar and drum? It will look odd amidst audience.

Most of the time you keep on wearing black eyeglass, any specific reason?
Pramod: May be eyes are the ugliest part of his body that's why he hides them with glass (laughs). A joke cracker.
SMS: It is a kind of identity. From the beginning I wore glass, now if I don't wear it people can suspect. Most people do not recognize me in the street without glass. I can walk easily.

Will you carry on wearing this black glass?
SMS: Of course yes.
Pramod: May be he left it after the plastic surgery (laughs).

What type of tour you are planning?
SMS: It is promotional tour of band as well as the supporting musical company. We will be visiting Kathmandu, Pokhara, Dharan, etc.

What are up coming plans of Karma?
SMS: Recently we are planning for musical tour. Plus we are visualizing "Yani Maya" from Karma album.

Your message to your fans?
Pramod: Whether you listen others songs or not, do listen Karma.
Anel: Appreciate the music. Comment after listening whole album. Do not download music, buy it.
SMS: Love Nepali music.

Video Clip of the Interview

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