It is a new crop of popular artistes that the Nepali music scene has turned to, not hip-hop, rap or sappy romantic songs but soothing melodies with simple lyrics. When Ani Choying Dolma's debut album Moments of Bliss topped the charts for months, it came as no surprise for her record company Opal International. Now, they have come out with another album of the same genre: Dharma Dhwani by Dhilyag Subchu Rinpoche.

"I don't expect to become a phenomenon, I just want to share my prayers through music," says the Rinpoche who adores Pandit Jasraj and Karna Das as musicians. "Technology is a big platform, we can use it to share and inspire peace of mind."

Dhilyag Subchu Rinpoche, 21, became a monk at the age of six, growing up in Swayambhu which he says was also his home in his first life. Chanting for nearly 30 minutes each morning is the only musical training he has had but his voice has an energy that is quiet and soothing. Dharma Dhwani, his first album, comprises of prayers and chants in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Nepali. Initially, it was meant to be distributed only among fellow Buddhists and disciples but Opal International approached him and proposed to market it for a wider audience.

"Usually, this sort of music is targeted at the international market but we wanted to share it with Nepali listeners also. These are turbulent times and such soothing music restores our zest for life, giving us a positive attitude," says Anand Tuladhar, of Opal. "We expected the older generation of listeners to like it. When, to our surprise, the young Nepali audience took to Ani's album also, we realised that right now prayers are what we need."

The lyrics in all the eight tracks of the album Dharma Dhwani are simple. Some are one-line prayers, pure and beautiful. For the title song Dharma Ko Dhwani, Nhyoo Bajracharya and Durga Lal Shrestha, famous for their work in Phool Ko Aankha Ma have teamed up again. And again, it is geared to be a hit with its unobtrusive soothing melody. As clich? as it might have sounded, the lyrics with Bajracharya's music gives the words new meaning that it is hard to imagine any other voice singing it.

With the mesmerising sound of the sarangi and the flute, the music itself is a prayer. The musical experiment represents the essence of Buddhism with peace not only as its essential ingredient but also as the desired result. The album was released in Maitreya Gumba, Swayambhu where the singing Rinpoche learnt to chant. Proceeds from the sale of the album will go to the restoration of the Gumba.

Swayambhu, one of the eight cultural World Heritage Sites in Nepal, needs restoration work and better facilities. The butter lamps also need to be improved as a year ago, an accidental fire destroyed the ancient Pratapur temple. Two people were killed in a landslide on the northern side, and the eastern side remains in danger of collapse.

Dharma Dhwani is available in music stores for Rs 250.