Sajjan Raj Vaidya

Who Is Sajjan Raj Vaidya?

Sajjan Raj Vaidya (Nepali: सज्जन राज वैद्य) is a Nepali singer. He released his debut single, “Aaja Matra,” in 2014 and rose to prominence after the release of his singles “Hawaijahaj” (2016) and “Chitthi Bhitra” (2018). One of his most widely known singles is “Hataarindai, Bataasindai.”

His voice is warm. His lyrics are truthful. His music feels like a conversation with the most honest version of yourself.

Sajjan Raj Vaidya is a renowned Nepali singer, songwriter, and music producer celebrated for his fusion of acoustic pop and folk music. Born in Kathmandu and now based in New York, this multi-talented artist balances dual careers as both a musician and full-stack web developer.

Furthermore, in 2022, he achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the most-streamed Nepali artist on Spotify — not only within Nepal but also on an international scale.

His music video “Chitthi Bhitra” has received over 61 million views on YouTube.

Sajjan Raj Vaidya is not simply a Nepali singer. He is a cultural force. He is the voice of a generation navigating love, identity, and change — in Kathmandu, in New York, and in every city across the world where Nepali hearts beat.

Early Life: Born in Kathmandu, Built on Family and Music

Roots in Nepal’s Cultural Capital

Sajjan Raj Vaidya was born on September 10, 1993, and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Born in Kathmandu and growing up there during the late 1990s and early 2000s, he witnessed the country’s transformation from a traditional monarchy to a modern federal republic. This period of change would later influence his music’s themes of evolution and identity.

Kathmandu — Nepal’s ancient, vibrant, and endlessly complex capital — gave Sajjan a childhood surrounded by contrasts. Traditional temples and mountain valleys co-existed with rapidly evolving urban culture, international music, and digital connectivity. Furthermore, that environment of creative contrast became the very engine of his musical identity.

He was born under the Virgo zodiac sign. Virgo is traditionally associated with analytical depth, creative precision, and an extraordinary attention to emotional detail. All three of these qualities define Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s songwriting.

A Family of Music Lovers

Vaidya fondly recalls: “My story with music began with my family. My mother taught me how to sing, instilling in me a sense of melody and rhythm, while my father introduced us to the joy of music in all its forms — be it traditional Nepali tunes or international hits. My brother encouraged me to explore and grow with music, pushing me to embrace different styles and genres.”

His father particularly loved English pop songs and his mother listened to folk and Nepali pop songs. Perhaps that is how he brings the unique fusion of Nepali folk into the pop genre.

This family mosaic — folk from his mother, international pop from his father, and constant evolution encouraged by his brother — explains precisely why Sajjan’s music sounds like nothing else in Nepal. It is not one genre. It is a conversation between all the music his family ever loved.

Parents and Brother

Sajjan Raj Vaidya was born to his father Ramesh Chandra Vaidya and his mother Roshani Vaidya. He also has a brother named Sushen Raj Vaidya.

His brother Sushen — mentioned warmly in every interview about his musical origins — remains a central figure in Sajjan’s story. It was Sushen who pushed him to evolve, to experiment, and to grow beyond the familiar. Therefore, behind every bold creative choice in Sajjan’s catalogue is a brother’s encouragement.

Musical Influences That Shaped His Sound

Vaidya’s appreciation grew for a variety of artists and genres — from the melodic harmonies of The Eagles to the reggae rhythms of UB40, the passionate rock sound of Linkin Park, to the depth of folk influences.

He has covered songs by artists such as Adele, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, and Hozier.

These diverse influences — Western rock, folk, R&B, and reggae, layered over his Nepali cultural foundation — created the signature sound that millions of listeners now recognize instantly.

Education: From Kathmandu Classrooms to Manhattan College

Schooling in Kathmandu

He attended Aadharsha Vidhya Mandir during school.

He began his musical journey by performing at school events and later shared his compositions on Facebook.

These school performances — small, informal, and yet deeply formative — were where Sajjan first discovered the extraordinary feeling of singing his own words to an audience. School stages were his first concert venues.

Manhattan College, New York: A Bachelor’s Degree

He graduated from Manhattan College in New York with a Bachelor’s degree.

He moved to the U.S. for higher education and began experimenting with music production — combining Nepali language with Western indie-pop and R&B elements.

This move to New York was not just a geographical transition. It was an artistic one. In New York — surrounded by the world’s most diverse musical ecosystem — Sajjan found the sonic vocabulary that would allow him to tell Nepali stories in a language the entire world could feel.

KUSOM: Business and Technology Alongside Music

He studied at KUSOM.

KUSOM — Kathmandu University School of Management — is one of Nepal’s most prestigious academic institutions. Studying there gave Sajjan the business acumen and technological understanding that would later allow him to build his career as an independent artist with extraordinary commercial intelligence.

Full-Stack Web Developer: The Hidden Talent

He was also a full-stack web developer and worked at Infodevelopers Pvt Ltd. in Nepal. Sajjan has also done internships and work at KMPG as a strategic investment officer and at Morgan Stanley as a corporate tax officer.

In 2022, he achieved the milestone of becoming Nepal’s most-streamed artist on Spotify — a remarkable question many had asked: what happens when a software engineer from Kathmandu transforms into a musical icon?

This dual identity — software engineer and musical star — is one of the most remarkable aspects of Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s story. He did not choose music over technology. He mastered both. Furthermore, his technological understanding has given him a profound ability to manage his own digital presence and connect directly with his audience across every platform.

Career: From Cover Songs to Nepal’s Most-Streamed Artist

The Cover Song Years: Building an Audience From Scratch

He started his musical journey as a cover singer. He used to upload his cover songs on his YouTube channel, which got recognition from Nepali youngsters for his unique vocals.

Some of his hit cover songs include “Leho House,” “All of Me,” and “One” by Ed Sheeran.

These cover songs were not simply YouTube content. They were a training ground. Each cover refined his vocal technique, expanded his emotional range, and grew a loyal audience who came for the familiar songs but stayed for the extraordinary voice behind them.

Debut Single: “Aaja Matra” (2014)

Vaidya’s first major release was “Aaja Matra” (2014).

He debuted with “Aaja Matra” in 2014, which was not a hugely successful debut.

This honest acknowledgment — that his first original song did not set the world on fire — is part of what makes Sajjan’s story so compelling. He debuted. He learned. He came back stronger.

“Hawaijahaj” (2016): The Breakthrough That Changed Everything

His next single, “Hawaijahaj” (2016), was a breakthrough. The music video for the song was produced by Fuzz Factory Productions.

“Hawaijahaj” earned him some recognition in the music industry. He was publicly acclaimed for his vocals, lyrics, and composition. (Lyrical Sathi)

“Hawaijahaj” — which translates as “Aeroplane” — is a song about distance, longing, and the emotional weight of physical separation. It resonated immediately and deeply with Nepal’s vast diaspora communities. Furthermore, it introduced Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s name to an international Nepali audience for the first time.

2018: “Chitthi Bhitra,” “Mooskaan,” and “Anountho Mutu”

He later released “Mooskaan” (2018) and “Anountho Mutu” (2018).

His music video “Chitthi Bhitra” has received over 61 million views on YouTube.

“Chitthi Bhitra” — meaning “Inside the Letter” — is perhaps Sajjan’s most emotionally layered song. Its 61 million views confirm that it connected with audiences far beyond Nepal’s borders. Additionally, the song demonstrated a lyrical maturity and musical sophistication that placed Sajjan in the very top tier of South Asian independent music.

“Hataarindai, Bataasindai” (January 1, 2019): Nepal’s LGBTQ+ Anthem

On 1 January 2019, Sajjan released a single titled “Hataarindai, Bataasindai.” The screenplay features a straight couple and a gay couple, and the video depicts a gay couple kissing — which is uncommon in Nepali media.

Vaidya is one of the very few Nepali artists to represent the LGBTQ community through the video’s release. “When I wrote Hataarindai, Bataasindai, it was independent of the video concept. We decided that the underrepresentation of the LGBTQ community in Nepal was an important issue that needed to be addressed — and that is how the video came about.”

The 2019 single has been adopted by the LGBTQ community of Nepal as an anthem — featuring the song during the first pride parade of Nepal that took place in July 2019.

This is one of the most significant cultural moments of Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s career. A Nepali pop song became the soundtrack of a nation’s first-ever pride parade. Therefore, “Hataarindai, Bataasindai” is not simply a beautiful love song. It is a historical document of social change in Nepal — and Sajjan Raj Vaidya had the courage to create it.

The Katha Series (2018–Present): YouTube’s Most Intimate Music Series

Katha is a video series started by Vaidya in 2018. The series debuted on the artist’s YouTube channel. The video series features a live, acoustic rendition of a song published by the artist or other artists, and also includes a section discussing the origin and the composition process of the song.

Artists like Sarun Tamrakar and Yabesh Thapa are featured, and their songs and styles are explained in greater detail.

The Katha series is one of Sajjan’s most beloved creative projects. It is intimate. It is honest. It gives viewers a rare window into the private world of Nepali songwriting — not just the finished song, but the conversation, the doubt, and the discovery that brought it into existence.

“BLYHL” and “Phutki Janey Jovan” (2020): Pandemic Songs

His release titled “BLYHL” was released in February 2020. His song “Phutki Janey Jovan,” released on 16 May 2020, shows various clips of people during the COVID-19 pandemic all around the world — with a special emphasis on Nepali people.

The COVID-19 pandemic gave Sajjan his most globally resonant song. “Phutki Janey Jovan” captured a moment of collective human experience — isolation, yearning, and the fragile beauty of everyday moments — that transcended language and culture.

2021: “Lukaamaari,” “Ultaa Paailaa,” “Parkhaai,” “Naganya Maya”

He released “Lukaamaari” on January 1, 2021. After three months of “Lukaamaari,” he released his next song, “Ultaa Paailaa.” He also released the songs “Parkhaai” and “Naganya Maya.”

In 2021, he collaborated on a paid partnership with Toyota Nepal.

Four songs in a single year — each one building his catalogue and deepening his connection with listeners. Furthermore, a major brand partnership with Toyota Nepal confirmed that Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s cultural reach had translated into real commercial value.

2022: Most-Streamed Nepali Artist on Spotify

In 2022, he achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the most-streamed Nepali artist on Spotify — not only within Nepal but also on an international scale.

This achievement is extraordinary. Nepal is not a dominant force in global streaming culture. For a Nepali singer to become the most-streamed Nepali artist on a global platform — not just domestically but internationally — confirms that Sajjan Raj Vaidya has built an audience that stretches from Kathmandu to New York, London to Sydney, and every city in between where the Nepali diaspora calls home.

His 2022 releases — “Sasto Mutu” and “Ek Sarvanaam” — launched the year with immediate impact. (Spotify)

2023: The Most Prolific Year

In 2023, he delivered a series of hits: “Dhairya,” “Hyatteri,” “Aayen Ma,” “Nothing In My Head Besides Timi,” “Ujeli,” and “Suna Kaanchi.”

Six significant releases in a single year. This extraordinary output — each song crafted with the same lyrical care and sonic precision that defines his entire catalogue — confirmed Sajjan Raj Vaidya as one of the most productive and consistently excellent singer-songwriters in South Asian music.

2024: Tours, New Songs, and “9841”

In 2024, he unveiled “Malaai Chaana Na” and “Ghumi Phiri,” with his latest single “Nepali Angreji” showcasing his exploration of language.

Recent releases like “Nepali Angreji” explore themes of language and cultural identity — addressing the bicultural experience of being Nepali while living abroad. This theme resonates particularly with Nepal’s diaspora communities, who navigate similar identity questions in their daily lives.

Vaidya embarked on his “Ekaadeshmaa 2024 Nepal” tour, spanning multiple cities during the festive season. He released a lighthearted new single titled “9841” just ahead of the Ekaadeshmaa event.

2025 and 2026: Asia Tours and New Music

Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s official website confirms releases throughout 2025 — with songs released in January, February, April, May, July, August, and November 2025 — followed by a January 2026 release.

In mid-2025, Sajjan posted: “Half of 2025 has already passed, and the thing I’ve missed most is being on stage with you. I can’t wait to travel across Asia and sing with you all again.”

His 2025 Asia tour — bringing his music to audiences across the continent — is a powerful declaration of just how far Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s music has traveled from the school stages of Kathmandu.

Musical Style: Where Nepali Folk Meets Global Pop

Sajjan Raj Vaidya is a renowned Nepali singer, songwriter, and music producer celebrated for his fusion of acoustic pop and folk music.

He began experimenting with music production, combining Nepali language with Western indie-pop and R&B elements.

His unique blend of traditional Nepali music with contemporary sounds resonated with a broad audience, establishing him as a household name.

His songwriting process is equally distinctive. Sometimes a random thought or “condition” sparks the lyrics, while other times a melody guides the narrative. He also draws inspiration from friends’ stories.

Therefore, Sajjan Raj Vaidya’s music is never just about his own experience. It is a collective diary — carrying the stories of the people around him, shaped by the sounds he grew up hearing, and delivered in a voice that makes every listener feel personally addressed.

Personal Life: Love, Privacy, and a Grounded Identity

Partner: Arogya Khadka

Sajjan Vaidya is associated with Arogya Khadka, who is an artist manager at Team Sajjan Raj Vaidya.

Arogya Khadka has been identified as his partner. They have been seen together in social media posts and have been linked in various online discussions and fan interactions. Their relationship appears to be quite public on platforms like TikTok, where they have shared moments together.

This relationship — with a woman who is professionally his artist manager and personally his partner — reflects a deeply integrated life in which art, business, and love are all part of the same story.

Currently Based in New York

Currently, he lives in New York, San Francisco, USA.

Born in Kathmandu and now based in New York, his journey from Nepal’s capital to one of the world’s most creative cities mirrors the diaspora experience that feeds so much of his music.