Nepal, March 18 -- In the late 90s, music played a significant role in defining personal identity and interests. At least that's what the vocalist of the band Karma Surendra Man Singh says. A lot of this is still true today. Music makes us understand the world and ourselves better.

Inspired by this notion, Singh and his friend Prashant Maharjan decided to form a band in 1998. They searched for more members and took in Rabi Newa and Ranjit Newa. "At the start, there were just the four of us," says Singh, sipping his Americano in a restaurant in Jhamsikhel.

These four music enthusiasts had spent their childhood together. Despite a hiatus when Singh studied in India, upon his return, he discovered his childhood friends were also pursuing m...