# Rachana Rimal

Rachana Rimal (Nepali: रचना रिमाल; born 13 August 2002), is a Nepalese singer. She is credited for singing over one thousand Nepali songs in less than two years, between the years 2020 and 2022. Came into recognition through singing reality show Nepal Idol in 2019, she has established herself as one of the leading singers in Nepal. Some of her songs include Photo Firimma, Unko Preeti, Paani Chhamkine, and Mineral Water.

## Early life

Rachana Rimal was born on 13 August 2002 in Tehrathum; her family moved to Jhapa when she was an infant. She has been singing since the earliest age she can remember. She used to sing Bhajan on local occasions in her hometown, Jhapa. She also competed in many regional competitions. The first competition she won was held in a Facebook group; one of her teachers recorded her performance and uploaded a video to the group. Rimal received the highest number of likes and won the competition receiving a harmonium as a prize. In another competition, she received five hundred rupees as prize money, which she has still not spent.

## Career

Rimal competed in the third season of singing reality show Nepal Idol in 2019. She placed in the top 8 position and set a record for being the highest-voted contestant three times in a row. She subsequently sang Photo Firimma, written and composed by Shishir Bhandari, a YouTuber and media personality and released in 2020. Since has also sung other songs such as Unko Preeti, Mineral Water, and Paani Chhamkine.
In early 2022, Rimal sang a remake version of Nabirse Timilai, originally sung by Anju Panta. The remake was not well received by some viewers and critics. Bipin Kiran, the song's author and lyricist, failed to acknowledge the original singer when the song was first released. Panta made a post regarding this matter on her social media account and claimed that the composer and arranger originally asked her to sing the remake version of this song, and she was also provided with a new arrangement of the song.
In 2022, Rimal posted a photo of herself attending a cricket match, and numerous news sources used the photo with a misleading title. This started a rumor that Rimal was invited to see a match by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). She stated that she had purchased the ticket to attend the game and welcomed as a special guest after being recognized by CAN officials. There was also a rumor that CAN asked her for an explanation for her sudden arrival to watch a match without following proper protocols. Rimal and CAN denied this, calling it a mass media fabrication.

## Selected discography

Rimal has sung over one thousand songs; the list below represents only a few of her popular songs.
| Year | Song | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) |
| 2020 | Rumala Chino | Basanta Sapkota | Basanta Sapkota |
| 2020 | Photo Firimma | Shishir Bhandari | Shishir Bhandari |
| 2020 | Mineral Water | Bhim Bista | Bhim Bista |
| 2020 | Unko Preeti | Madhav Prasad Ghimire | Narayan Rayamajhi |
| 2020 | Aayaun Cheli | Ghanashyam Oli | Dipak Sharma |
| 2020 | Hamro Maya Charkiyeko | Bimal Dangi | Bimal Dangi |
| 2021 | Paani Chhamkine | Samrat Chualagain | Samrat Chualagain |
| 2021 | Bhana Saila | Ramesh Raj Bhattarai | Ramesh Raj Bhattarai |
| 2021 | Yo Rato Gala | Deepak Sharma | Deepak Sharma |
| 2021 | Chahanchhu | Manas Bikram Thapa, Manisha Khadka | Saroj Pokharel |
| 2021 | Sunko Chandrama | Pushpa Acharya | Dipak Sharma |
| 2021 | Aau Hami Sangai Basaun | Yashoda Mahat | Debesh Rai |
| 2021 | Teejko Mahina Chha | DP Khanal | Nabin Karki |
| 2021 | Harle Nikhar Lyauchha | Dhanendra Rasaily | Babul Giri |
| 2022 | Hajur Musukkai | Suresh Adhikari | Suresh Adhikari |
| 2022 | Nabirse Timilai | Bipin Kiran | Mahesh Khadka |
| 2022 | Timle Soche Bhanda Dherai | B.B. Anuragee | B.B. Anuragee |
| 2022 | Dhunge Dhara | Shiva Akheli | Shiva Akheli |
| 2023 | Paisa Sapati | Badri Kumar Pangeni | Badri Kumar Pangeni |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Song | Result | Ref(s) |
| 2021 | National Entertainment Award | Best New Female Singer | Photo Firimma | Won | |