In a candid interview, Sujata Shah, the sister of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah, shared personal insights about his childhood, personality, and journey from a quiet student to a prominent public figure. Speaking with BBC Hindi journalist Imran Qureshi, she reflected on memories that reveal a thoughtful and determined individual long before he entered politics.
According to Sujata, Balen was never a mischievous child. Instead, he appeared unusually mature for his age. She described him as someone who behaved “like a little wise man,” often giving thoughtful responses even as a child. His clarity of thought and ability to make decisions early in life stood out among family members. She recalled moments when his answers surprised adults and drew laughter, yet demonstrated remarkable maturity.
Sujata explained that their childhood was not without challenges. Growing up without their father present at times created emotional hardships, but Balen remained composed and thoughtful. He rarely shared his inner struggles with the family, preferring to keep his feelings to himself. Even so, she said he always seemed clear about what he wanted to do in life and showed strong determination in pursuing his goals.
The devastating earthquake of 2015 also shaped parts of their family experience. During that period, Balen was working as a civil engineer away from Kathmandu while his sister remained in the capital. The continuous aftershocks forced people to stay outside their homes. Around that time, Balen travelled to Bengaluru to visit family members and developed a strong appreciation for the city’s family-oriented culture. It was also in India that he pursued further studies in structural engineering, motivated partly by Nepal’s vulnerability to earthquakes and his desire to learn how to design safer structures.
Despite later becoming involved in politics, Sujata said Balen rarely discussed political matters with the family in the past. She believes that his political thinking developed internally, as he often kept his deeper thoughts private. Before entering public life, he had already gained recognition as a rapper. Known for winning rap battles and producing albums, his music often addressed social issues and carried meaningful messages rather than offensive language.
Music, she explained, may have been influenced by their father, Dr. Ramnarayan Shah, an Ayurvedic doctor who enjoyed writing poetry and Sanskrit verses in his free time. Balen often memorized these writings during his childhood. His interest in rap music began while he was in the ninth grade, and his songs quickly gained attention among both young listeners and older audiences because of their socially conscious lyrics.
Sujata emphasized that Balen’s rap style stood apart from many others. While some rap music focused on romance or aggressive language, his lyrics addressed social problems and were written in a respectful tone. According to her, he used music as a way to express societal concerns and personal experiences in a constructive manner.
Reflecting on his political rise, Sujata said she never initially imagined that her brother would one day lead the country. However, after observing the changes he introduced as the mayor of Kathmandu—such as efforts to preserve heritage sites, temples, and cultural traditions—she began to believe he possessed the qualities needed for national leadership.
She also expressed optimism about Nepal’s relations with India, saying she believes Balen would handle such matters with understanding and diplomacy. For Sujata, her brother is not simply a politician but someone who focuses on his own path, avoids unnecessary conflicts, and works for the benefit of people around him.
When asked about her own political ambitions, Sujata said she has never been interested in politics. She suggested that Balen himself was not initially drawn to politics either, but circumstances and public expectations gradually pushed him in that direction. She also expressed concern that many capable young Nepalis are leaving the country for opportunities abroad, leaving Nepal with fewer skilled individuals to lead its development.
The interview concluded with a brief overview of Balen Shah’s life. Born on Baisakh 14, 2047 BS in Naradevi, Kathmandu, Balendra Shah is the son of Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Ramnarayan Shah and Dhruva Devi Shah. His ancestral home lies in Mahottari district, while his maternal family is from Dhanusha. He studied civil engineering at the White House Institute of Technology and later completed a master’s degree in structural engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, India.
Before entering politics, Balen was widely known as a rapper and social commentator. His early song “Sadak Balak” highlighted social issues and gained popularity. Over time, his public image evolved from musician and engineer to civic leader. In the 2022 local elections, he ran as an independent candidate for mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and won with a significant margin, defeating candidates from major political parties.
For many observers, his rise symbolized a shift in Nepal’s political landscape, where independent voices and younger leaders are beginning to challenge traditional party structures.
