Balendra shah

Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah, is a prominent figure in Nepal, renowned for his multifaceted career as a rapper, structural engineer, and politician. Born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu, Balen initially gained fame in the music industry with his impactful rap lyrics and dynamic performances in the Nepali hip-hop scene. He first caught public attention with his song "Sadak Balak" and later rose to prominence through the YouTube battle rap series, Raw Barz, in 2013.

Balen's educational background is equally impressive. He completed his higher secondary education at V.S. Niketan Higher Secondary School and earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Himalayan Whitehouse International College. He further pursued a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) in Karnataka, India.

His transition from music to politics was driven by his desire for social change. He was actively involved in the "We For Constitution" movement before the promulgation of Nepal's Constitution in 2015. Although he initially showed interest in running for mayor in the 2017 local elections, he withdrew his candidacy. However, in 2022, he ran as an independent candidate for the mayor of Kathmandu and won, defeating candidates from major political parties.

As the 15th Mayor of Kathmandu, Balen Shah has focused on addressing critical issues such as solid waste management and urban infrastructure improvements. His victory and initiatives signify a shift towards independent and youth-led governance in Nepal's capital city [❞] [❞] [❞].