Narayan Gopal Guruwacharya (October 4, 1939 - December 5, 1990) was a prominent popular singer and composer of Nepali music. Regarded one of the most significant cultural icons in Nepal, he is referred as "Swar Samrat" (Nepali: स्वर सम्राट, meaning: Emperor of Voice) in Nepal. He is also known as "Tragedy King" owing to his numerous tragedy songs. He also sang in his mother tongue Newari.
Owing to his voice range he was capable sing songs of every Nepalese genre. Often, his songs were accompanied by the sitar, harmonium and flute. He was also a music director during the 1950s to the 70s and belongs to the first generation of professional Nepali singers. His songs have also been showcased in several movies and dramas across the country.

Narayan Gopal released 137 songs during his lifetime, his first songs were composed by his friend Prem Dhoj Pradhan and his teacher Manik Ratna.

Gopal is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century and received many awards during his lifetime.

Personal life
Narayan Gopal Guruwacharya was born into a Newar family in Kilagal Tole, Kathmandu, on October 4, 1939 (18 Asoj, 1996 B.S.) to father Asha Gopal Gurubacharya and mother Ram Devi Guruwacharya. He had six brothers and four sisters. He completed School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in 2016 B.S. and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities from Tri-Chandra College. He also went to Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in India to study classical Indian music but returned to Nepal without completing his studies. He married Pemala Lama in 1971.

Later he joined the Rastriya Naach Ghar (National Dance Theater) and rose to the post of manager (hakim). He also worked as the editor of a musical journal 'Bageena (बागीना)' for its first three issues. He became the managing director of 'Sanskritik Sansthan (Cultural Center)' and adviser to the Ministry of Communication and was an associate professor in Lalit Kala Campus. He wrote a musical drama titled 'Kanchi Masyang (कान्छी मस्याङ)'

Early career
The potential of his vocal talent was first recognized by his friend Manik Ratna Sthapit, who lived in the neighboring Pyukha Tole, and Prem Dhoj Pradhan, who lived in Bheda Singh Tole. The three friends would practice singing Hindi songs together in Manik Ratna's house which had become similar to a music school since his uncle, Siddhi Ratna Sthapit, was an accomplished instrumentalist. After completion of his SLC exams, Prem Dhoj Pradhan took Gopal to Radio Nepal for a voice test. He sang "Panchi ko pankha ma dharti ko diyo," written by Dr. Ram Man Trishit and composed by Prem Dhoj Pradhan himself. Gopal passed the voice test the very first time. Narayan Gopal's first public musical performance was during the 40th anniversary of Tri Chandra College in which he played the role of a tabla player.[8][9]