Gauchha Geet Nepali
by Ananda Karki, Kunti Moktan, Raju Lama
"Gauchha Geet Nepali" (गाउँछ गीत नेपाली) is an iconic patriotic anthem penned by Nepal's legendary national poet (Rashtrakavi), Madhav Prasad Ghimire, and composed by the revered Ustad Govinda Lal. Originally recorded by the Janardan Group, the most widely recognized studio version was released on July 14, 1999, as the title track of Music Nepal's celebrated compilation album. This definitive rendition functions as a grand choral performance, beautifully interweaving the voices of prominent artists such as Raju Lama (Mongolian Heart), Ananda Karki, Kunti Moktan, Mamata Dipbim, and Tara Thapa. The song's uplifting melody blends traditional Nepali folk instrumentation with classical orchestral layering, securing its place as an enduring symbol of national pride played at schools, public holidays, and state functions across the country.
The lyrics of the anthem paint a sprawling, poetic portrait of Nepal's cultural heritage, history, and geographical grandeur. The opening refrain, "Gauchha geet Nepali, jyotiko pankha uchali / Jaya, jaya, jaya Nepal, sundar, shanta, bishal", translates to "The Nepali sings, raising wings of light / Victory to Nepal, beautiful, peaceful, and vast." Ghimire’s verses celebrate the country’s major rivers—the Gandaki, Koshi, Karnali, Mechi, and Mahakali—and honor monumental historical and spiritual figures like Sita, Bhrikuti, Gautama Buddha, and Lord Shiva, establishing Nepal as the birthplace of ancient wisdom. By invoking the courage of the ancestors who extended borders from the Tista River to the Kangra Fort without ever bowing to foreign powers, the track instills deep patriotic devotion.
Chorus
गाउँछ गीत नेपाली ज्योतिको पंख उचाली
गाउँछ गीत नेपाली ज्योतिको पंख उचाली
जय जय जय नेपाल
सुन्दर शान्त बिशाल
सुन्दर शान्त बिशाल
गाउँछ गीत नेपाली ज्योतिको पंख उचाली
गाउँछ गीत नेपाली ज्योतिको पंख उचाली
जय जय जय नेपाल
सुन्दर शान्त बिशाल
सुन्दर शान्त बिशाल
Verse 1
गण्डकी कोसी कर्णाली मेची र महाकाली
लेक र बेसी बिउझाउँछन् लहर लाखौँ उचाली
हिमालचुली बोलाउँछ पहिलो झुल्का निकाली
सगरमाथा शिखरमा पुग्दछ पहिले नेपाली
सीताले सारा भिजाइन दक्षिण लंका-भारत
भृकुटी तारा उदाइन उत्तर चीन-तिब्बत
बुद्धले यहीँ पाएथे ज्ञानको पहिलो मुहान
शिवले यहीँ ल्याएथे सृस्टीको पहिलो बिहान
गाउँछ गीत नेपाली ज्योतिको पंख उचाली
गाउँछ गीत नेपाली ज्योतिको पंख उचाली
जय जय जय नेपाल
सुन्दर शान्त बिशाल
सुन्दर शान्त बिशाल
Verse 2
पश्चिम किल्ला काँगडा पूर्वमा टिस्टा पुगेथ्यौँ
कुन शक्तिको सामुमा कहिले हामी झुकेथ्यौँ
हामीले हिमाल उठायौँ एसियाको माझमा
सभ्यता बास बसेथ्यो आएर यहीँ साँझमा
यही नेपाली माटोमा दिलको फूल रोपेर
