The Legendary Prem Dhoj Pradhan – King of Golden Voice of Nepali Music
Prem Dhoj Pradhan is a Nepali musician born in 1938 in Chautara, a small town 28 miles east of Kathmandu in Sindhupachowk district. Brought up by his mother at a time in Nepal when music was synonymous with meaningful living, Prem Dhoj grew up to love it. His mother, Pran Devi Pradhan, a talented singer in her own right, taught him his first lessons of music. For the most part, Prem Dhoj remains a self-educated artist because for him music is both discipline and relaxation in a constant journey of self-expression.
Prem Dhoj Pradhan lived with his father and helped him with his businesses after his parents got divorced in 1944. Though he lived with his father, he spent a few hours every day with his mother to have his music lessons. In 1967 he decided to build a house for his mother who was renting a house in Jamal. To buy the land and construct a house he needed money, so he decided to organize a solo musical concert named “Sanjh Ko Rimjhim”. It was a three-day-long show where Nati Kaji, Tara Devi and several other artists supported as guest performers. He completed the house in 1969 and left for Bombay soon after for one year to learn light music (Sugam Sangeet) from music director Jaidev. A few years after returning from Mumbai, he sold the old house and built another house in Bagbazar and moved in with his mother.
Prem Dhoj started singing at Radio Nepal in 1952 and worked in United States Information Service (USIS) Kathmandu; retired from the USIS, 1994;
P.S. A vegetarian by choice Prem Dhoj loves curd and stays away from salt on Sundays, which he believes has been very beneficial for his health.
