Prem Lopchan

Prem Lopchan is a renowned name in Nepali folk music, Tamang Selo songs, and traditional dance. He was born in Bhuvagaun. This village is located at Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality–3 in Sindhupalchok district. He has spent more than four decades contributing to Nepal’s cultural and musical heritage. Lopchan is known for his deep connection to authentic Nepali music and dance. He is not just a performer but also a singer, composer, model, dance director, and cultural preserver.

His lifelong dedication to promoting Tamang culture and Nepali folk traditions has earned him recognition as one of the most respected senior artists in Nepal.

Early Life and Childhood

Prem Lopchan was born into a culturally rich Tamang family. His ancestors originally came from Selang and later settled in the then Batase VDC. After his father’s marriage, the family moved to Bhuvagaun, where Lopchan was born as the middle child.

His childhood was deeply influenced by music. Both his parents were talented singers. And the music was part of daily life. In fact, his father won his mother’s heart through traditional Dampure songs. Growing up in that environment, Lopchan naturally became very interested in singing and dancing at a young age.
However, life was not easy. He lost his dad when he was young and had a hard time with money. At that time, even a little bit of money was seen as important. Even though he faced many difficulties, his love for music stayed strong.

Life in the village back then was really lively with lots of cultural activities. Festivals, fairs, and traditional events were filled with songs that carried deep feelings and important messages about love, life, and how people connect. Young Lopchan would frequently leave his house to go to these events. No matter if it was a wedding, a festival, or a community event, he was always there, singing and dancing with lots of energy.

He went to school in his village until grade three, but he wanted to see more of the world, so he left his home at a young age and went to Kathmandu.

Struggles in Kathmandu and Police Career

Around the age of seven or eight, Prem Lopchan came to Bhaktapur and later moved to Kathmandu. His early days in the city were tough. He had no proper clothes or shoes and faced many challenges just to survive.

In 2036 B.S. (around 1979 A.D.), he joined the Nepal Police. At that time, there were few opportunities, and the recruitment process was very different from what it is today. After finishing his training, he took part in cultural programs with the police force.

His talent quickly gained attention. He often performed in weekly cultural events and festivals, sometimes even taking on female roles for dance. His hard work and performance abilities earned him recognition and chances to join the Police Band and cultural unit. A key moment in his life came when he joined the Mahendra Police Club. There, he worked with famous artists like Gopal Yonjan, Rajpal Thapa, and others. It was also where he first got the chance to sing into a microphone and perform in a more professional environment.

His first recorded song, composed by Gopal Yonjan, was recorded at Radio Nepal. The song gained appreciation, and his performance impressed senior officials, leading to his promotion from constable to Hawaldar. It was a rare achievement earned purely through artistic talent. After serving for 34 years, Prem Lopchan retired from the Nepal Police as a Deputy Inspector.

Contribution to Music and Dance

In an era where very few artists were there in Tamang Selo music, Prem Lopchan contributed immensely towards the conservation of the genre and even promoted it along with other artists such as Kumar Basnet and Jayananda Lama.

While working for the police cultural unit, his job was to travel to different parts of Nepal, research the folk songs, and then teach them to other artists to ensure that they never get lost.

Prem Lopchan is very talented in performing different kinds of dance genres in Nepali culture, such as:

• Sorathi
• Maruni
• Sakela
• Ghatu
• Chyabrung
• Jhankri
• and many more

Albums and Musical Success

Prem Lopchan released his first album, Himalayan History, in 2042 B.S. Over the years, he has produced several successful albums that remain popular among audiences. Some of his notable works include:

• Damphu from the Himalaya
• Kodako Dhindo
• Darshan Part 1 & 2
• Mukti Sandesh
• Purano Dosti
• Hammai Lila Khailala
• Charila Kamai
• Selo Juhari
• Melody of Himalaya
• Chautara Dohori Why
• Prem Selo

These albums reflect his dedication to authentic music and cultural storytelling.

Film Career and International Journey

Apart from music, Prem Lopchan has also contributed to the Nepali film industry. He played a lead role in the movie Dang (Koshéli), and the song “Aap Mi Borji Daiva She” from the film became widely popular.

He has also appeared in modern Nepali films like Chhakka Panja and Karsang, continuing his artistic journey across generations.

As a cultural ambassador, Lopchan has performed in several countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Qatar, and the United States. He has also established his own production company and actively shares his work through his YouTube channel “Tamang TV.”