12 Facts About Amber Gurung

Shree Amber Gurung was a Nepalese composer, singer, and lyricist.

Amber Gurung was born in Darjeeling, India, where his father and former soldier in the British Indian Army, Ujir Singh Gurung, from Gorkha district, Nepal, served as a policeman.

Amber Gurung's mother encouraged him to sing and compose as a child, and he taught himself to play Nepali, Chinese, and Western instruments.

Amber Gurung studied at Turnbull School, Darjeeling, where he fell in love with music while singing Bible Hymns.

Amber Gurung became the headmaster of Bhanu Bhakta School, founded by Giri, and pioneered the Art Academy of Music.

Amber Gurung recorded his most famous song "Nau Lakh Tara" in the early 1960s, written by Giri.

Amber Gurung's students included musicians and singers such as Karma Yonzon, Aruna Lama, Sharan Pradhan, Peter Karthak, Indra Gajmer, Jitendra Bardewa and Ranjit Gazmer.

Amber Gurung worked as the Music Chief of Folk Entertainment Unit, Government of West Bengal, Darjeeling from 1962 to 1965.

Amber Gurung was barred from singing or recording songs outside the unit.

Amber Gurung later moved and settled in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1969.

Amber Gurung was invited by Nepal's King Mahendra to return to Nepal to establish and chair the music department of the newly founded Nepal Academy of Arts in 1968, where he served as Music Director for nearly 30 years.

Amber Gurung was appointed the founding Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama in 2010.