The Moustache That Made Him Famous: Tilakumar Thapa’s Unique Style

Kathmandu, September 26

Many men grow beards and moustaches, but in Kathmandu, Tilakumar Thapa has built a strong identity thanks to his distinctive moustache. That’s why many people know him not as Tilakumar Thapa, but as “Junge Thapa.”

Thapa, who lives in Subidhanagar, Tinkune, Kathmandu, has been carefully grooming his moustache for eight years. It is this moustache that has given him the opportunity to become known both nationally and internationally.

“Many people from within and outside the country come to meet me because of this moustache,” he said, showing pictures of prominent people who have visited him. “It was because of this moustache that I was able to meet Indira Ranamagar, Deputy Speaker of the Federal Parliament.”

Along with Ranamagar, Thapa has hosted figures like Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, the first president of democratic Nepal, senior artist Tulsi Ghimire, journalists Shrrishi Dhamala and other multi-talented personalities such as Sandeep Kshetri, and actor Sumit Dhungana.

He has decorated his walls with photos of these visits as well as numerous pictures of his moustache alone. “It was because of this moustache that senior artist Tulsi Ghimire came all the way from abroad to meet me,” he recalled.

His moustache is nearly one foot long. Normally, he styles it over his ears, but he can pull it down to show it to anyone interested. “This moustache has made me not just known, but famous, so I will never cut it. I will continue to maintain it,” he said. “Because of it, I am recognized not only in my neighborhood but across the country.” He does not grow a beard.

Maintaining the moustache is not easy, he explains. He regularly visits a hair and moustache salon (Sailung) to groom it. He also emphasizes that random oils should not be used. He spends around 10–15 thousand rupees monthly to take care of it.

“Because of this moustache, I have even given interviews on programs where people wanted to know more about me,” he recalled. Social media has also helped him gain nationwide recognition.

Originally from Manthali Municipality, Ramechhap, he joined the Nepal Police in 1999 (2056 BS). At that time, he had not started growing his moustache.

He served in the police for 18 years and was the driver for Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, Nepal’s first democratic president. He eventually left the police service, but maintains regular contact with Dr. Yadav even today.

Currently, he runs the Resunga Family Restaurant in partnership with others in Koteshwor, Tinkune, Subidhanagar, Kathmandu. He even features a photo of his moustache on the restaurant’s signboard. This has contributed to the restaurant’s popularity.

“Many people come just to eat while sitting with my moustache. Even if I am not there, they come just to see the photo of it,” he says.

While many men grow a moustache as a symbol of masculinity or as a hobby, it is rare to become as widely known as Tilakumar purely because of one’s moustache.