Melawa Devi Gurung was a pioneering Nepali singer, recognized as the first female vocalist from Nepal. She was born on June 15, 1902, in Rumjatar, Okhaldhunga, and made remarkable contributions to Nepali music and culture.

In 1928, Melawa Devi recorded songs in Calcutta, British India, and gained fame with her hit "Na Gharlai Ghar Kahincha Nari Nai Durbar Ho." She was celebrated for her beautiful voice and her ability to sing in various languages, including Nepali, Hindi, Newari, Bengali, and Urdu. Her songs often highlighted the social and cultural issues of her era, and she was a favored artist of Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Throughout her career, Melawa Devi earned numerous awards and recognition for her musical contributions. She also received classical music training from esteemed musicians such as Dunde Khan, Balaprasad Sharma, and Ganpat. Despite enduring personal hardships, including the loss of her two sons, she persevered in creating and performing music, leaving an enduring legacy in the Nepali music scene.

Melawa Devi Gurung passed away in 1955 at the age of 53, but her influence on Nepali music is still celebrated and remembered today.