From National Awards to Using Music as a Tool for Well-being: The Musical Journey of Samprit Rai Bal Krishna Bhatta 

Kathmandu,September 21
 
For more than a decade and a half, guitarist and composer Samprit Rai has been reshaping Nepal’s musical landscape.

Known for his distinctive approach, Rai fuses the sounds of traditional instruments like the Singing Bowls, Tabala, Bansuri, Sarangi, with the contemporary guitar, producing compositions that speak both to Nepal’s heritage and to modern audiences.
 
Rai’s contributions have earned him some of the nation’s highest honors. He is the only guitarist to receive the National Music Honor and Award twice, first in 2022 and again in 2025. The award, presented annually by the Music Association of Nepal in cooperation with national cultural bodies, recognizes exceptional innovation and cultural impact.

Rai was the sole honoree in the Guitarist category on both occasions, an achievement that underscores the exclusivity and competitive nature of the distinction.
 
His influence extends beyond performance. Rai holds lifetime membership in the Music Association of Nepal (MAN) and is also a member of the National Creator and Performer Academy (NCPA). Both organizations reserve membership for musicians who have made nationally significant contributions and demonstrated leadership within the arts.
 
In addition to his artistic achievements, Rai has been entrusted with roles as a competition judge at major national events. In 2024, he served on the panel for the Virtual Battle of the Bands, a countrywide contest organized by Sangeet Pathshala and Nepali Guitar Tutorial.

The event attracted over 70 bands from across genres including rock, metal, fusion, and jazz. Rai and the judging panel evaluated performances on creativity, technique, and stage presence, ultimately selecting the winners. The competition was recognized for the outstanding quality of its participants.
 
Back in 2020, during COVID-19 pandemic, Rai was also invited to judge the Sadhana Online Talent Hunt, Nepal’s first major digital singing competition. Nearly 100 contestants took part, and the event was widely noted for the remarkable talent it showcased. His role in these contests reflects his recognition as a trusted authority in Nepal’s music community.
 
Rai has carved a unique path in the field of music by using his artistry as a powerful medium to foster mental health and well-being. Through his guitar and original compositions, he transforms sound into a therapeutic experience that helps individuals, particularly young people, cope with stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges.

His approach goes beyond entertainment, weaving together traditional healing concepts with modern music therapy practices to create restorative spaces for growth and recovery. Programs such as Sangitik Arogya showcase his vision, where music becomes a bridge to healing—helping children and adolescents regain balance, strengthen resilience, and find a renewed sense of hope in their daily lives.
 
His work has even reached the international development sector. Collaborating with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV), Rai composed and directed a fusion performance for International Volunteer Day. The presentation, featuring guitar alongside Tabala, sarangi, and vocals, conveyed a message of unity and volunteerism, and was broadcast nationwide on multiple television networks.
 
With a career that bridges tradition and modernity, performance and healing, national awards and global platforms, Samprit Rai stands today as one of Nepal’s most influential guitarists, advancing both the country’s musical identity and its cultural visibility on the world stage.