Shiva Shankar Manandhar was not only a renowned singer and music composer of Nepali songs but also the lead actor in the inaugural Nepali movie, "Aama." Over nearly half a century, spanning from 1950 to the late 1990s, his name echoed through countless books, journals, lectures, and conversations about Nepalese music, making him one of the most prominent figures in the nation's musical landscape.

His artistic journey encompassed a wide range of emotions, from love to tragedy, devotion (bhajan), and patriotism, as he pioneered various genres of modern Nepali songs. His musical compositions graced around 1,200 Nepalese songs, and he lent his own melodious voice to approximately three hundred of them. For his remarkable contributions, Shankar received numerous prestigious national awards, marking his indelible impact on the country's musical heritage.

Shankar embarked on his professional journey when he was recruited by Bal Krishna Sama, the eminent playwright of Nepal, to serve at the state-owned Radio Nepal in 1951. His responsibilities included identifying and nurturing new musical talents, overseeing the quality of songs recorded for radio broadcast, and mentoring emerging artists. Alongside his colleague Nati Kaji, he transformed Radio Nepal into an institution dedicated to fostering modern Nepalese music and songs. The institution not only nurtured homegrown talent but also inspired prodigious musicians from Darjeeling, India, such as Ambar Gurung, Gopal Yonzan, Aruna Lama, and others, to flourish in Nepal.

While at Radio Nepal, Shiva Shankar composed music for numerous celebrated Nepalese singers, collaborating with the likes of Tara Devi, Mira Rana, Nirmala Shrestha, and many more. He also collaborated with renowned lyricists like Ram Man Trishit, Kiran Kharel, and Laxman Lohani. His illustrious career spanned five decades and played a pivotal role in what is now referred to as the "Golden Age" of Nepalese music.

Beyond creating beloved melodies, Shankar was an innovator in Nepalese music, demonstrating how traditional folk songs, typically performed with simple instruments, could be enriched with modern orchestral arrangements. He introduced pop-style songs, catalyzing the emergence of contemporary Nepalese pop music. Despite embracing change and innovation, he remained a staunch advocate for preserving the unique essence of Nepalese musical traditions, ensuring that foreign influences did not overshadow the nation's rich musical heritage.

While Shankar gained recognition as the leading actor, portraying a "Lahure Dai" in the pioneering 1964 Nepali feature film, "Aama" (Mother), produced by the Government of Nepal, he chose not to pursue an acting career, with only a few cameo appearances in documentaries. Nonetheless, he made significant contributions by composing music for several early Nepalese films, leaving an enduring legacy in both the realms of music and cinema.