Gotta Be Love (Acoustic)

This week I am also revisiting “Gotta Be Love” which was the very first song I wrote for the album “Sabai Thikai Huncha”. I had just arrived in Kathmandu and I was ready to work on my debut Nepali album. I was just a kid, young with big dreams. I had this giant list of things to do, and one of them included writing my first radio “hit”. And just like that, one fine morning, inspiration struck. I want to thank you all for loving this song and for giving me my first unforgettable radio play moment, as “Gotta Be Love” went on to chart # 1 on all major radio stations in Kathmandu that year. I hope this song transports you back to 2009 like it transported me back in time and made me remember my teenage years.

Love,
Astha.

Harek Saas Sita (Acoustic)

This week I am revisiting ‘Harek Saas Sita’ from my second album, “Ma Ek Sapana." The emotion expressed in this song is the sadness I used to allow myself to feel only late at night, when the whole city slept, and I poured everything I had into songs. Perhaps it was my way of keeping my emotions to myself. Perhaps I didn’t want to burden anyone with them. But the 2024 version of me has realized that emotions, whether positive or negative, are always better shared, especially with those who love you. For those who’ve felt their sadness creep in, I just want you to know that it is okay to feel it and super healthy to express it. Whether you’re confiding in someone or carving your emotions into your art, I want you to know that you’re not alone, and emotions are what make us human.

Here's a 2 AM version of ‘Harek Saas Sita’ exclusively for you,
Astha.

Sabai Thikai Huncha (Acoustic)

This week I find myself revisiting "Sabai Thikai Huncha," the title track from my debut album. This song holds a special place in my heart, embodying hope, resilience, and unwavering optimism. Its message reassures and strengthens, reminding us that everything will be alright, no matter the challenges we face. The song brings back vivid memories of my younger self, poring over my mama’s tiny notebooks filled with her poetry, feeling inspired to transform her words into songs. To everyone who has reached out to tell me how much this song means to you, I see you, I feel you, and I reassure you that everything is going to be okay.

I was captivated by a beautiful hanging floating flower arrangement I came across on TikTok the other day. The delicate balance of the arrangement inspired me so much that I had to recreate it. I don’t know why, but this French blue is really resonating with me these days.

Love,
Astha

Khula Aakash (Acoustic)

“Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness and still become something beautiful” 🦋 - unknown

Our lives are filled with uncertainty, especially in times like these. These last couple of months have been a reminder that more than anything we all need to practice gratitude... for those risking their lives to keep us safe, for our health, for the food on our table, the shelter over our heads, and most importantly for the love we share and experience with our close family and friends.

Khula Aakash is a song about freedom and freedom truly is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. I hope that this song reminds us all that we are resilient and that we all will get through this.

Love,
Astha
#khulaaakash #freedom #asongforeveryemotion #asthaunplugged

Muskuraye (Acoustic)

I want to dedicate this song to my beautiful Mamu and Baba - for all the sacrifices you’ve made for us and continue to make - to give us the life we've always dreamt of. My mother pushed me to follow my passion and my dreams no matter what while carrying myself with grace, pride and humility.

My father taught me to be strong, balanced, independent and to be the empowered woman I am today. Hopefully, someday when I have children, I will be able to do the same for them. I wrote this song about 10 years ago when I was first visiting Kathmandu after many years of being away from home and growing up in Canada.

Performing this song for you all today has made me indulge in a lot of nostalgia and I'm very thankful for that :) 🌻.

Love,
Astha

#muskuraye #selflove #asongforeveryemotion #asthaunplugged