Menuka Poudel, a singer from Jhapa, has become an international sensation after her incredible run in the Indian Idol season 14.
Poudel, currently 26, gained prominence after participating in Nepal Idol in 2018 and securing the 11th position. Menuka, a native of Jhapa, has spent significant time in Kathmandu and different cities in India, amassing fans everywhere she goes.
Menuka, who has been visually impaired since her birth, has not let this condition affect her way of life. Moreover, thanks to her incredible voice, she has been able to not only make up for her condition but become very successful in something that she loves doing.
Poudel has captured the hearts of millions across Nepal and India with her soothing voice and never-give-up personality.
Menuka gathers hundreds of people everywhere, given her popularity from the reality television show Indian Idol season 14. That being said, many fans still do not know about Poudel’s struggles during her days before her fame and success.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Menuka Poudel, the singing sensation from Jhapa.
Key Takeaways:
- Menuka Poudel, a singer from Jhapa, is only one of the two who have participated in Nepal Idol and Indian Idol.
- Poudel was born in Haldibari-4, Jhapa, in 1998 to her parents, Pamphadevi and Tikaram Poudel.
- Menuka, who is the eldest in the family, was visually impaired from her birth.
- Poudel made it to the top 11 in Indian Idol season 14 before elimination.
Menuka Poudel’s Early Days Struggle As A Visually Impaired In a Middle-Class Family
Menuka was born in Haldibari-4, Jhapa, Nepal, in October 1998 to her parents Pamphadevi and Tikaram Poudel.
She is the eldest daughter in her family, and her birth was the best news for her parents. However, Pamphadevi and Tikaram had not expected their first daughter to have complications with her vision.
It took Menuka a few days after birth for her eyes to open. Pamphadevi saw that they were gradually expanding up. Ten or twelve days later, Menuka’s eyelids opened.
Still, the eyes were white and crimson, and Pamphadevi was unable to decipher what that meant. When Pamphadevi saw the white net, her heart thumped. Pampadevi arrived at the health post in front of the house with her daughter in tow, terrified by the sight of the white web.
After looking closely at both of his eyes, the doctor observed, “The eyes are completely white.” After two or three months, Pamphadevi, with her daughter, arrived at Birthamod’s eye camp, followed by Bhairawa and Birganj.
The doctors all confirmed that Menuka’s Jyoti-vein was dried up. With their daughter in their arms, Pampadevi and her husband Tikaram continued to run, caught in a narrow circle of hope that occasionally went around this corner and occasionally around that corner.
Pouldel’s mother, Pamphadevi, recalled those days during an interview with Kantipur, “An eye camp doctor concluded – Menuka’s eyes do not have lenses; she cannot see.” The doctor’s words profoundly touched Pamphadevi, who was startled to see the white mesh of her eyes.
Thinking, ‘What happened?’ Menuka’s mother, Pamphadevi, took her back to the eye camp when she was 10 or 11. The doctor requested previous records and asked her to return with the old diagnosis.
Remembering the hassle of going to the doctor often, Menuka says she prayed she did not want the sight anymore as she had never seen anything.
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Menuka Made the Most of Her Childhood Despite Her Visual Condition
Menuka was visually impaired from her birth. However, this did not limit her from living her life to the fullest.
According to their mother, Pamphadevi, Menuka would dance and clap her hands when she was brought to Bhajan Kirtan when she was three or four.
On one regular morning in 2060, Pamphadevi led Menuka and Durga to the summit of Garamani, the highest mountain in the region, which was about an hour’s drive from her hometown, Haldibari.
At the Garamani, Khilprasad Sivakoti, a teacher, asked Menuka, then 5-year-old, ‘What do you like to do?’ Menuka responded: “Sing bhajans.” She professed, ‘I like to sing bhajans,’ with a lovely heart, having heard people sing them numerous times. Thus, she performed on “Indian Idol.”
Menuka was introduced to music early on. She remembers listening to the harmonium for the first time at age seven and starting to practice the instruments when she was eight.
Poudel attended Durga Higher Intermediate for her schooling, where 16-17 visually impaired kids accompanied her. Menuka stayed in the school hostel until she passed her SLC. Her mother motivated her to follow her passion and engage in music and bhajan.
After completing her SLC in 2070, Menuka moved to Kathmandu to study music at Srijan College of Fine Art, Tribhuvan University. Moreover, she later joined S.N.D.T. Women’s University, Sir Vithaload Thackerset Vidyavihar Junu Campus Mumbai.
Menuka Participated In ‘Nepal Idol’ Before Making A Run In Season 14 Of ‘Indian Idol’
Menuka is the only person in history, along with Prashant Tamang, to have participated in both Nepal and Indian Idol.
She won first place in Radio Nepal’s modern singing competition in 2072. Moreover, Menuka competed in “Nepal Idol” when she was eighteen, but the public vote forced her to be ousted after she placed in the top 11.
It would not diminish her passion for singing. Later, she auditioned for the Indian reality show Saregamup from the Kathmandu audition; she traveled to Calcutta and Mumbai.
In that event, Menuka made it to the top 11. Thus, Menuka’s journey in the fourteenth season of “Indian Idol” started when prominent singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani, and Kumar Sanu greatly admired her.
Nepal’s President Ramchandra Poudel honored the famous singer, who placed in the top 10 on Indian Idol. At a grand ceremony at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu, President Poudel presented Menuka with the award.
President Poudel praised Menuka’s commitment and skill, saying she had made all Nepalis proud. He acknowledged her ongoing efforts and emphasized that practice makes perfect.
Moreover, the rural municipality of Haldibari awarded her a monetary prize of Rs. 60,000 and mentioned that singer Poudel has acknowledged the country’s identity internationally. Vice Chairman Laxmi Mainali and Chairman of the Rural Municipality Rabindra Lindgen contragtulated in the program.
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Menuka Poudel Recently Had An Eye Surgery
The 26-year-old singer from Jhapa had a delicate eye procedure earlier in May 2024. This treatment, named “Cosmetic Prosthetic,” was carried out by Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology senior oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Purnima Rajakarnikar.
Poudel’s vision remains unchanged despite the prosthetic’s implantation. Prominent ophthalmologist Dr. Sanduk Ruit stated that this prosthetic is purely cosmetic, improving her eyes’ look without impairing her vision.
The operation makes Menuka more comfortable by removing the need for glasses, even if it doesn’t improve functionality.
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Bidhya Sagar Shrestha is an experienced content writer with a solid content creation and digital marketing background. His majors in entrepreneurship and marketing give him a deep understanding of business environments and marketing strategies.
Over his two-year career, Bidhya has worked with many clients, from startups to established businesses, producing over 700 blog posts and news articles. His passion for writing has driven his professional path and personal aspirations.
