Winner of Nepali Tara II, Santosh Lama was born at Ward No 4, Khatripauwa, Naubise to Surendra Lama and Maya Lama. Youngest to 3 brothers and 1 sister, Santosh Lama got schooled at Shree Chadika Nimna Madhyamik Vidhyalaya in Baaghbyanjyang. ‘Since I was brought up in the border of Kathmandu and Naubise, I was lucky to be schooled in a school established inside the Kathmandu Valley: Santosh Lama’. Santosh Lama continued his education at the school till class 7 and joined Mangalaya Devi School at Thankot. It was during that time when Santoh started to give his touch in music. He participated in Brighter Timro Sur Mero Sangeet. ‘I am brought up in a family where nobody belongs to musical background but it was my elder brother, Sashi Lama, who actually introduced me with the competition and persuades me to take the participation. He always wished to see me becoming a singer: Sanotsh.’ Santosh ascended up to top 3 level in the national kid vocal competition.
Santosh completed his SLC education and following his academic achievement, Santosh started to continuously participate in different vocal competitions. Santosh joined Ratna Rajya College to pursue his higher education. ‘During these 5 years of my academic education, I have not seriously attended my classes even for 5 months and because of that, I have just one friend, Dharmendra Sewan who is studying in the same college: Santosh.’ Santosh joined Do Re Mi Sangeet Vidhyalya to pursue his musical education. ‘I felt that I will not be able to get good education from the college so I preferred to join Do Re Mi Music School’ but my college is also dear to me.
Santosh learnt tabala in the first year and later shifted to take vocal classes from Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal in Do Re Mi Music School. It was during this time when Santosh participated in many competitions like ‘Swor Sangam’ in Image FM. Santosh won the title of the program getting an opportunity to record a song and finally recorded the song Euta Phool Sarau Ramro. Santosh participated in Nepali Tara I. He experienced a weak health condition due to which he had to eliminate himself from the top 20 position in the competition. Santosh then participated in Adhunik Geeti Pratiyogita, broadcasted from Radio Nepal and acquired top 10 position. Later he competed for Bagina music competition. ‘I was the time when the announcement for Nepali Tara II was broadcasted and my teacher Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal and Dharmendra Sewan suggested me to participate one again and I did it again’. This time Santosh won the title by giving up Bagina musical competition.
Soon becoming Nepali Tara II, Santosh received approaches from music companies and movie directors for playback singing. He released a debut album Batuwa that comprised of total 11 songs. The album ran with the songs like Batuwa, Heri Jasto, Sudaichu Timi Tado Jadaichau Re, Timro Yaad Haru, Lapsi Ko Danda, Yo Duri, Aankhan Ma Sajaichu, Mero Naam Ko Pachadi, Bani Parecha. He received good opportunity to work with Satya Swaoop, Dear KAlyan, Ranajan Bhakta Shrestha from his album. Santosh also appeared in collection albums like Rachana, Aafno Mann Bhitra, Murchana and others. Similarly, he also appeared in playback singing for the movies like Bhagwan Sabaiko, Nigrani, Ek Din Ek Raat, First Love, New Generation, Maile Man Paryo, Mriga Trishna, Bodygaurd, Black Mail and others. Santosh also appeared before stage hosting television reality show ‘Singing Star Season I’. Santosh was offered for the second season too but he denied the proposal to make himself more focused for his singing career rather than visual jockey.
