Indira Joshi is a popular Nepali singer, Nepal Idol judge and celebrity. She’s known for many hit songs like Chaubandi Choli, Girlfriend, and Jau Ki Na Jau. Joshi was one of the judges in the first edition of Nepal Idol.
Here are five things that you didn’t know about Indira Joshi. 
#1
I participated in a regional folk singing competition when I was young. I was never into folk songs so it was pretty strange for me that I was representing my school. My school had decided to put me in the competition because of my singing talent. It was the first time in my life that I was in an actual competition. And, to my surprise, I won the second prize. I was elated. It was an unbelievable experience for me to know that I could actually sing well and compete at the same time. I believe it was from that moment that I loved to be on the stage and sing for the audiences.
Although I haven’t done many folk songs till now, it was quite an experience. I can never forget that competition which helped me to soar high in Nepali music industry.
#2
I come from a big family. You will be surprised to know that I grew up with six siblings (We are seven children in total. I wonder how our parents managed to glue the family together). I am the fifth child and I tell you it’s just amazing.
I have a ‘dharma dai’ who first introduced me to singing. He has been my mentor since then. It’s been twenty-three years that we are still celebrating ‘bhai tika’ together. His name is Ashok Shrestha and lives in Parasi, Nawalparasi. He runs a care center and has been mentoring other kids just the way he mentored me. I owe him a lot and I don’t think I’d be here without his mentorship.
#3
I am the owner of a social networking site called Nmag. It’s a cool site where you can create a profile just like on Facebook. Also, it’s an e-commerce online site where you can buy and sell products easily. And, you can open an online store to showcase your products and businesses. Isn’t that amazing? Also, we have an app for the social site which can be downloaded from the Google store for free. I believe it’s a great app for everyone in Nepal. Let’s use Nmag!
#4
I’m nothing without my fans. I am here because of my lovely fans and I’m lucky and proud to say that I have been blessed with lots of admirers. It’s overwhelming at times that I can’t even count my fans on my fingers but they are precious like the stars of a beautiful night.
I will give you an example. There’s this amazing person who owns a magnificent truck. It’s the epitome of love and admiration I’d say. Every time I have music shows in the eastern region of Nepal the owner of this vehicle comes to my concert along with the truck. Isn’t that amazing? I never knew about him and his truck but one day I met him in person in Hetauda. That meeting moved me. I couldn’t control myself and my heart jumped with joy and tears of happiness. That day, I felt, I had lived my life well for myself and others–of course, by singing. It also taught me how much my fans admired my work. I cannot explain it in few words.
You can check the photo below.
#5
I love fruits and people who know me personally are aware that I am fond of a fruit called ‘bayar’. I am not sure what they call it here. I vividly remember that there used to be huge farms in Parasi. The fields were rich with various fruits like mangos, bananas, bayar, and salipha. I miss those field–the soft winds running through, gently caressing your whole existence. It is unexplainable. It’s sad that I cannot experience that in Kathmandu.
Anyways, back to the fruit! When I was young I used to break into others’ farms along with my friend, only to steal bayars! Those were the days when I felt free and did what we wanted to. I’m not encouraging stealing but that experience of getting what you love taught me life lessons. And I still use that when I’m faced with problems. Did I digress again? To make the story short, whenever we were in the field there was one particular guard who used to chase us with a stick whenever he knew what we were up to. Luckily, he couldn’t catch us, ever. Sometimes I remember that incident and laugh a lot. I wonder where the guard might be and miss my friends too.
I’ve learned that in life one needs to seek, strive and yearn and not to yield. That’s what I’ve been doing so far.
Check out Indira Joshi’s photos:
Some of her hit songs:
