This Year’s ‘Natikaji National Music Award’ Announced

The winners of this year’s prestigious ‘Natikaji National Music Award’ have been announced. The award will honor 10 outstanding music creators and one music academy for their significant contributions to the field of music.

The announcement was made at a ceremony organized by the Natikaji Memorial Society on Wednesday. Shambhujeet Banskota, the Chairperson of the Society, revealed the list of awardees, which includes renowned lyricists, folk singers, musicians, and music promoters.

This year’s Natikaji National Music Award recipients include lyricist Nagedra Thapa, folksinger Bom Bahadur Karki, artist Dhan Lama, music promoter Prakash Sayami, classic musician Gyanu Radha Gorkhali, lyricists Buddhavir Lama and Kiran KC (Krodhi), and singers Diwakar Khadka and Yashoda Parajuli.

The Natikaji National Contribution Award will be conferred on Sangeet Sadhana Pratisthan (Itahari) and writer Bimal Bhaukaji. Meanwhile, the National Music Award will honor singers Himal Sagar and Bindu Pariyar, lyricist B Pandey, musician Ashish Abiral, and arranger Samrat Thapa.

The Natikaji National Talent Award will be presented to recordist Bhola Poudel, singers David Shankar and Smita Dahal, musician Kalyan Singh, and Dr. Ramesh Pokharel for his contributions to classical music.

Additionally, folk singers Ram Prasad Awasthi, Sushma Shahi Thakuri, and Krishna BK will receive recognition for their contributions to national folk music. Journalists Sushil Aryal and Sukrit Nepal will also be honored for their work in art and journalism.

Chairperson Banskota emphasized that a special program would be organized to present the awards on the occasion of the 99th birth anniversary of Natikaji, honoring these exceptional individuals for their contributions to Nepali music and culture.