By Renuka Dhakal

Kathmanu, May 4: The ongoing nationwide lockdown has provided singers with a great time to relax their vocal.
Popular singer Melina Rai said that the lockdown had provided her plenty of time for vocal rest.
Rai is one of the best playback singers of the current generation. She said that the continuous function of vocal increases stress on the vocal cord so the singers should relax the vocal from time to time.
Prior to the lockdown, singers like Melina had to use their vocal so much and they didn’t get much time to give rest to their voice as they had to use their voice in diverse ways.
A singer’s daily life revolves around the voice whether it is a stage show, recording, riyaz, interview and so on which is directly associated with voice and sound. Therefore, for voice rest and better production of singing, a singer needs time for voice rest, said Rai.
During the lockdown, this sweet and melodious singer is honing her talent in cooking. Before the lockdown, she seldom used to get time to enter the kitchen but lockdown has provided enough time to cook various items which she has been enjoying.
She has also been writing songs and awaking people through the social media.
For her, music is a sharp weapon which teaches good things to the society.
“Music brings people together and it doesn’t discriminate against anyone. And during this pandemic also music has played a pivotal role to raise awareness among the people,” she said, adding that songs and music always vitalise people and help them cope up with the difficult situations.
Born in Kurseong, Darjeeling in India, Rai came to Nepal at the age of 10. Since then, she has been involved in Nepali music fraternity. She grew up in the surroundings of musical people. Her father Jibes Rai is a great musician and a music teacher. She has been taught about singing and music since her childhood by her father.
She first recorded a song composed by her father with title track “Himalko Kakha”, a national song, at the age of 11. She has so far sung more than 1,100 songs. Her song “Kammar Mathi Patuki, Patuki Mathi Ghaila” brought a turning point in her career. Her “Kutuma Kutu Supari Dana”, “Siraima Sirbandi”, “Timile Bato Fereu Aare”, “Kasari Kasari Kasari”, “Maya Jadau” along with singer Ram Krishna Dhakal and so on are the notable songs.
One of the finest singers of the present generation, Rai has sung various genres of music even though she thinks that rock music is not her genre and she likes soft melodies.
During this lockdown she has been revisiting the songs of Indian singer Sadhana Sargam and listening to old Nepali music. She said that old music gives nostalgic feelings and the lyric and melody of those times were heart touching.
Prior to the lockdown, she was busy giving her voice in an album and making her sentimental video song “Ujad Yo Mero Man” which have been halted and as soon as the lockdown is lifted she will resume her halted works, said Rai.