Kathmandu:

She is just 19, but has the voice that gives you goose bumps. Whether it’s a rock song or a melodious Nepali number, she can sing it with equal grace and vivacity. Bubbly and energetic, Ayesha Giri is a known name in the underground music scene. She has not only established herself as an upcoming female rocker, but also has been involved in field of glamour and fashion.

“People today see me as a singer, but few years ago I did not have the faintest idea of taking up singing as a profession,” she says with enthusiasm.

Growing up in a hostel she rarely had the time and opportunity to listen to music. “While I was doing my SLC from Pennwood Academy, my principal encouraged me to sing. Someone brought me this song Complicated by Avril Lavegne and I practiced it once and sang. She was so impressed that kept insisting that I not stop singing. She is my biggest inspiration ever,” she adds.

At that time she felt like “Kuwa ko bhyaguta (frog in well)” and decided to listen to more songs. Soon she was listening to Norah Jones, Joss Stones and Kelly Clarkson.

The turning point came when she was doing her +2 from Xavier Academy. Her friends gave her name during a talent show. “I was caught by surprise and I just asked if anyone knew how to strum the guitar to Knocking on heaven’s door. One of the guys volunteered and I sang on the spot and won. After that the principal of that school too encouraged me a lot,” remembers Ayesha.

Soon she participated in Yamaha Inter College Music Competition organised by Campion Academy. Her college band won and singing in front of Robin Tamang was like a dream come true. Since then there has been no looking back.

Apart from singing in commercial stages to performing on stages like of Women in Concert 2007 and Lakme Fashion Week 2007, she has made people scream for more. She has been involved with bands like Cobweb and now she is with the band Nebha. “Music has become the passion of my life. It is something that has not only given me a reason to do better, but has also given me chance to prove myself,” says Ayesha.

Apart from singing she has also participated in Lux Super Model hunt and has appeared in Sunsilk advertisement. She also coordinated Miss Nepal 2007.

Her happiest moment was when she was invited to sing for Lakme Fashion Week rather than walk the ramp. Apart from music and fashion, she is also very interested in reading and they inspire her to write, playing basket ball and riding her bike.

She is back from Singapore after a two month long guitar course. “I find it very awkward to ask someone to play the tunes for my own creation so I decided to learn to play the guitar,” she says.

Now she not only writes her own lyrics but also composes and sings them. She is planning to go to the Philippines for a pilot course, and as soon as she returns she will be coming out with her first album.