Picture Courtesy: cybersansar.com

Amber Gurung is a composer, singer, and lyricist of the Nepalese music industry. He hit the height of his popularity after composing the new national anthem of Nepal on 3 August 2007. He was born to Ujir Singh Gurung, a British Indian army serving in Darjeeling as a policeman from the brave Gurkhalands, in Darjeeling on 26 February 1938. He learned to play various Nepali as well as western musical instruments on his own.

Amber Gurung started his career as a professional musician after recording his first song “Nau Lakhey Tara”. He worked as the music chief at Folk Entertainment Unit, Darjeeling. He also served as a music teacher at Dr. Grahams Home in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and served as the music director of Nepal Academy of Arts and Literature on the request of Late King Mahendra as well. Currently, he has been serving the nation as the Chancellor in Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, Kathmandu, Nepal since 2010.

He has been entitled to numerous prestigious awards and was also nominated for awards like Hon. Colonel of Nepal Army for composing "Rato ra Chandra Surya" in 2011, Uttam Shanti Sahitya Puraskar, Kantipur FM Lifetime Achievement Award, Hits FM Lifetime Achievement Award , Madhurima Phulkumar Mahato Puraskar, Tuborg Outstanding Award , Image Award, Image TV, Kathmandu, Jagadamba Shree, Kathmandu in 1998,Bhupal Man Singh, Kathmandu in 1998, Sha-Shanka, Jhapa in 1996, Indra Rajya Laxmi Pragya Puraskar, Kathmandu in 1987, Chinalata Puraskar, Kathmandu in 1983, Gorkha Dakshina Bahu, Kathmandu in 1971, Gold Medal, Radio Nepal, Kathmandu in 1970.

He was most recently honored by the Nepal Police on Wednesday in his own residence at Budhanilkantha with a cash prize of Rs. 500,000 after his recovery. Gurung had been hospitalized in Delhi-based Medanta Hospital. He traveled to the hospital a week ago for the treatment of Parkinson’s and diabetes. He was first taken to Kathmandu-based Grande Hospital after suffering from digestion and nervous system-related problems. He was later referred to Medanta Hospital.