Abhaya Subba

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Abhaya Subba Limbu

| birth_name = Abhaya Subba (Limbu)

| image = Abhaya Subba during local concert.jpg

| caption = Abhaya Subba during a local concert in Kathmandu

| birth_date = 11 June 1979

| birth_place = Darjeeling, West Bengal, India

| instrument = Vocals, Keyboard

| genre = Progressive rock, pop rock, soul, rhythm and blues

| occupation = Musician, singer-songwriter

| years_active = 2003–present

| label = 360^o Records, Yuva

| associated_acts = Abhaya & The Steam Engines, Parikrama, Red Skywalkers, Punchtatva

| website =

}}

Abhaya Subba (Limbu) ({{langx|ne|अभाय सुब्बा}}) is a Nepalese singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the front woman of the rock band Abhaya & the Steam Injuns. She is a former RJ of Times FM and Hits FM, and is famous for her progressive music and social initiatives. She is the founder of Women in Concert that gives a platform and creates a safe environment for upcoming female artistes.{{cite web |last=Gurung |first=Pravat J. |date=2008-12-08 |title=Abhaya & her life |url=https://www.wavemag.com.np/issue/article2956.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129201016/https://www.wavemag.com.np/issue/article2956.html |archivedate=2012-01-29 |accessdate=2012-07-31 |publisher=WAVE}}

Personal life and career

Abhaya completed her LLB studies from St. Xaviers, Mumbai. She worked as RJ in Times FM in Delhi and later with Hits FM in Nepal.

She started her music career with a local band Parikrama back in India, and was involved with it from 1993 to 1995. She was also affiliated with other Rock bands, Red Skywalkers and Punchtatva, respectively, before making it big with Abhaya & the Steam Injuns. She claims that her inspiration and the driving force is her father, who got her interested in music since her childhood.{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=Pinki Sris |date=2022-04-08 |title=Abhaya Subba has seen it all |url=https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2022/04/08/abhaya-subba-has-seen-it-all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806075853/https://kathmandupost.com/art-entertainment/2022/04/08/abhaya-subba-has-seen-it-all |archive-date=2022-08-06 |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=The Kathmandu Post |language=English}}

She later collaborated with the Image Channel as a producer and the judge of a local talent program, Sprite Band Challenge—Freedom to Rock{{cite news|url=http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/news/Entertainment/Abhaya-and-the-Steam-Injuns.html|title=Insight on the Rock band Abhaya & the Steam Injuns|publisher=DarjeelingTimes.com|accessdate=2012-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913005322/http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/news/Entertainment/Abhaya-and-the-Steam-Injuns.html|archive-date=13 September 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |date=2011-05-03 |title=Local rock star talent hunt in Nepal |publisher=Kantipur Publications |url=https://us.ekantipur.com/2011/05/03/entertainment/pokhara-based-band-claims-top-spot/333435.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121231336/https://us.ekantipur.com/2011/05/03/entertainment/pokhara-based-band-claims-top-spot/333435.html |archive-date=2013-01-21 |accessdate=2012-07-31}}

Her music is influenced by Led Zeppelin, Blondie, The Clash, Steely Dan and Green Day.{{cite web|url=http://www.nepalisite.com/artist_month/2005/abhaya_profile.cfm?artist_id=43&counter= |title=Online profile of Abhaya Subba |publisher=NepaliSite.com |accessdate=2012-07-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620172500/http://www.nepalisite.com/artist_month/2005/abhaya_profile.cfm?artist_id=43&counter= |archivedate=2012-06-20 }}

She has a son with her husband, Kai Weise, who is a local architect in Nepal.

=Mainstream success=

Abhaya claimed the commercial and critical success with her current band, Abhaya & the Steam Injuns. The band was formed on 2 January 2003. Initially they were involved in playing live gigs in hotels and lounge bars. It was essentially an acoustic blues band before it kicked off as a rock outfit. Abhaya Subba, the lead vocalist, is also the founder member and creator of the band.{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Abhaya+&+the+Steam+Injuns|title=Discography of Abhaya & the Steam English|publisher=Last.fm|accessdate=2012-07-31}}

She was judge in the rock band competition called Sprite Band Challenge—Freedom to Rock, and has judged it along with fellow Nepali musicians Robin Tamang and Dev Rana, where underground rock bands compete for an ultimate prize and a music contract.{{cite web |last=Glan |first=Latshering |date=2009-08-20 |title=Abhaya, new judge in Sprite Band Challenge |url=https://www.cybernepal.com.np/article.php?aid=3256 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015626/https://www.cybernepal.com.np/article.php?aid=3256 |archive-date=2019-02-07 |accessdate=2012-07-31 |publisher=CyberNepal.com.np}}

=Concerts & Tours=

Abhaya has participated in numerous concerts and international tours with her band, and other associated acts. She is also the founder and creator of Women in concert. A concert conceptualized to support rising Nepali female singers and musicians.{{cite web |last=Rai |first=Dinesh |date=2007-10-05 |title=Ladies Only Please!: Women in Concert |url=https://ecs.com.np/living_category.php?category=22&id=260 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008173448/https://ecs.com.np/living_category.php?category=22&id=260 |archivedate=2011-10-08 |website=ecs.com.np}}

= The Voice of Nepal =

Abhaya was one of the judges in the first edition of The Voice of Nepal.

Discography

File:Abhaya and the Steam Injuns.jpg

The Steam Injuns (2005)
Nayan (2008){{cite web|url=http://www.babbaal.com/musicupdate.php?id=753 |title=Discography of Abhaya & the Stam Injuns |publisher=Babbal.com |accessdate=2012-07-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122104253/http://babbaal.com/musicupdate.php?id=753 |archivedate=2010-11-22 }}

Other works

File:Abhaya Subba in local protest program.jpg (Activist)]]In May 2011, Abhaya participated in Nepal Unites via Facebook, an event organized to warn politicians about the statute drafting within the stipulated time frame, with musicians like Nima Rumba and Aani Tschoing Dolma.{{cite web|url=http://nepaliblogger.com/news/nepal-unites-via-facebook-and-speaks-up-at-khula-manch/2062/|title=Nepal Unites via Facebook|publisher=NepaliBlogger.com|accessdate=2012-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426082859/http://nepaliblogger.com/news/nepal-unites-via-facebook-and-speaks-up-at-khula-manch/2062/|archive-date=26 April 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web |date=2011-05-13 |title=Nepali Youths Speak up at Nepal Unites Event |url=http://nepalunites.org/nepali-youth-speak-up-at-nepal-unites-event/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711040225/https://nepalunites.org/nepali-youth-speak-up-at-nepal-unites-event/ |archive-date=11 July 2011 |accessdate=2012-07-31 |publisher=NepalUnites |df=dmy-all}}

She, along with Lamp Lights, organized Let there be lights, a protest-concert in Kathmandu, in February 2012, to solicit unity against the government's move on increasing load shedding.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/205234676242515/|title=Let there be Lights on Facebook.com|website=Facebook |accessdate=2012-07-31}}

In a post-program interview, she responded:

{{quotation|Our leaders made a pledge that power problems are going to improve within five years, but it never happened. So, here we are giving a wakeup call to all CA members to stop the blame game, and start taking actions as we have to bear the brunt of darkness and pain.{{cite web|url=http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=31999|title=Abhaya protesting against the government|publisher=MyRepublica.com|accessdate=2012-07-31}}}}