When an eight-year-old Manose Singh Newa first held a flute, he had no idea of the passion he would develop, nor that it would lead him to be nominated for a Grammy award. He is the first Nepali to accomplish such a feat on the world stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI developed a taste for flute by the grace of Lord Krishna,\u201d says the man, who considers his flute playing as a form of meditation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Newa has been nominated for ‘Best New Age Album of The Year’ for his album Deva,<\/em> which he produced in collaboration with German musician Deva Premal and England\u2019s Miten. The 41-year-old played flute in the hymn \u201cGayatri Mantra\u201d for the album, and has also contributed to the vocals and composition of the hymn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Born and bred in Boudha, Newa started playing the flute inside Boudha stupa and at the gates of Pasupatinath temple in Kathmandu before setting out to collaborate with international artists. But it isn\u2019t just the deft skills on the flute that led him to success, Newa believes, but also his approach to music and the instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor many, playing the flute is a hobby,\u201d he says, \u201cBut for me, it is a form of meditation that gives my soul immense joy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n His spiritual connection with music is what helped him transcend his humble beginnings, he says. While playing at the gates of Pashupatinath, Newa learned about the Kiranteshwor Ashram, where he met Guru Madan Dev Bhatta. Bhatta\u2019s teaching sharpened his skills and even won him the first prize in a children\u2019s classical music competition. He then received the opportunity to learn with other flute masters and eventually played at Radio Nepal and Nepal Television.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it was only after going on a tour with his musical group, Prastar, when he was just 16- or 17-years-old, that he realised the power of his flute. It was on that tour that he came to understand the west\u2019s affection for eastern music, its philosophy, and culture. Prastar consisted of Homnath Upadhayay, Dhruvesh Chandra Regmi, Atul Gautam and Pramod Upadhayay along with Newa. The group played Nepal\u2019s traditional music in Germany, Switzerland, and the US, among others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n