# Narayan Gopal

_Nepalese singer (1939–1990)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/narayan-gopal
Last updated: 2026-10-31

> Narayan Gopal Gurubacharya (Nepali: नारायण गोपाल गुरुवाचार्य) (4 October 1939 – 5 December 1990) was a Nepalese singer and composer. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons in Nepal, he is referred to as Swar Samrat (Nepali: स्वर सम्राट; lit. Emperor of Voice) in Nepal. He also sang in Nepal Bhasa.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 4 October 1939 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Kathmandu ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P19))
- **Died:** 5 December 1990 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P570))
- **Place of death:** Kathmandu ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Nepal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P27))
- **Occupation:** singer; singer-songwriter; composer ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P106))
- **Education:** Tri Chandra College; Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P69))
- **Official website:** ngopal.com ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P856))
- **Awards:** Jagadamba Shree Puraskar ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728#P166))

## About

Owing to his vocal range he was capable of singing songs of every Nepalese genre. Often, his songs were accompanied by the sitar, harmonium and flute. He was also a music director from the 1950s to the 70s and belongs to the first generation of professional Nepali singers. His songs have been showcased in several movies and dramas across the country.

Narayan Gopal released more than 137 songs during his lifetime, his first few songs were composed by his friends Prem Dhoj Pradhan and Manik Ratna. Although several original recordings have been lost over the years, their lyrics and cover versions remain accessible online.

Gopal was one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century and received many awards during his lifetime.

## Questions

**When was Narayan Gopal born?**  
Narayan Gopal was born on 4 October 1939 in Kathmandu.

**Where did Narayan Gopal study?**  
Narayan Gopal was educated at Tri Chandra College, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Narayan Gopal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayan_Gopal) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikipedia (Nepali): नारायणगोपाल गुरूवाचार्य](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q425728](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q425728) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Narayan Gopal.jpg by Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Narayan_Gopal.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Narayan Gopal, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Narayan Gopal.jpg — Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Narayan Gopal". DigiNepal. Last updated 31 October 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/narayan-gopal. Retrieved 8 November 2026.