Melina Rai
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Who is Melina Rai?
Melina Rai (Nepali: मेलिना राई), is a well-known singer in the Nepali music industry, celebrated for her melodious voice and significant fan following.
She has performed over 600 songs and contributed to the soundtracks of more than 30 films. She also serves as a coach on the reality show “The Voice of Nepal”
Quick Details
| Full Name | Melina Chamling Rai |
| Nepali | मेलिना चाम्लिङ्ग राई |
| Birth Name | Anjuli |
| Date of Birth | December 7, 1993 |
| Birth Place | Kurseong Darjeeling, India |
| Hometown | Morang |
| Nationality | Nepalese |
| Current Residence | Kathmandu Nepal |
| Birthday | December 7 |
| Age | 31 |
| Height | 5 ft 3 In |
| Weight | 63 kg (approx) |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Education | Arun Jyoti Vidya Mandir Kathmandu, Nepal (Primary Education) BA Sociology (TU) |
| Parents | Jibes Rai (Music Composer) |
| Sister | Junu Rai (Singer) |
| Partner | Dhruba Gurung (married 2025) |
| Best Outfit | One Piece Shirt Pant |
| Best Place | National: Pokhara; International: Singapore |
| Best Food | Typical Nepali Daal Bhat |
| Hobbies | Drawing, Travelling, Dancing |
| Favorite Male Singer | Narayan Gopal, Gopal Yonjan, Bhakta Raj Acharya |
| Favorite Female Singer | Aruna Lama |
| Profession | Songer |
| Genre | Pop, Classical |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| First Song | Himalko Kakh Ma Cha Yati Sudar Desh (as chorus singer) |
| Debut Song | Kammar Mathi Patuki |
| Awards | Best Playback Singer 2016 by Kantipur FM |
| Social media | Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X |
Early Life & Education
Melina Rai was born on December 7, 1993, in Kurseong, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. However, her family resides in Morang. Her birth name is Anjuli. She spent her early years in Kurseong with her grandmother and attended school there until the third grade. At the age of 10, she moved to Kathmandu with her father.
She continued her education at Arun Jyoti Vidhya Mandir in Jorpati, completed her intermediate studies in Kathmandu, and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Tribhuvan University. Passionate about singing from a young age, she was known for her cheerful and playful nature. Reflecting on her career, she once stated, “If I weren’t a singer, I would have become a dancer.”
Career
Melina’s passion for music began in her childhood, and she started participating in singing competitions. Her father, Jibesh Rai, a musician and teacher, greatly supported and inspired her musical journey. Melina started learning music at the age of 10. By 11, she sang Himal Ko Kakh as a chorus singer, which was later featured on Radio Nepal in 2065 B.S. A year later, at 12, she officially launched her career with the song Kammar Mathi Patuki in 2015.
She participated in the National Modern Song Competition organized by Radio Nepal, where she emerged as the winner. Some of her most popular songs include Timle Bato Fereu Arey, Shiraima Shirbandi, Chapakkai Ful Fulyo, and recent hits like Kutu Ma Kutu and Machhile Khane Kholiko Leu.
Kutu Ma Kutu became a massive success, surpassing 200 million views on YouTube and setting a record as the first Nepali video to reach 100 million views on the platform.
Melina’s exceptional talent was recognized when she won the Best Playback Singer (Female) award at the Radio Kantipur Awards in 2017, further cementing her place in the industry. She continued her streak of success with the release of Kati Ma Samjhu in September 2018.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated with renowned artists such as Rajina Rimal, Nepathya, and Sanjeev Singh. These collaborations have expanded her reach and solidified her reputation as one of Nepal’s leading pop singers. Her distinctive voice, combined with the unique styles of her fellow artists, has created musical masterpieces and earned her a dedicated fanbase.
Personal Life
In April 2022, Melina Rai revealed her engagement to Sanjeev Baraili, a fellow artist from the Nepali Music Industry. The announcement shed light on her personal life, showing a promising path ahead both professionally and personally.
“It was a few months back when I announced my engagement. It was a serious decision in my life. We had thought to spend our life together. However, there is a clear difference of opinion between us on the ideological side, that is, our views could not match. So I decided to break the engagement after thinking a lot. All engagements are not turned into marriage. In the meantime, I apologize for the emotional impact on all well-wishers, and I also express my commitment to continue serving the country through the music field by working harder in the future,” she explained.
Melina Rai married Dhruva Gurung on Friday, January 17, 2025, in a traditional ceremony held at the Himali Ghar Resort in Gokarneshwar. Dhruva Gurung, who is from Ilam, works as a member of the British Army.
