Natikaji awards, honours announced

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 19: Natikaji Smriti Samaj announced the Natikaji Rastriya Samman Tatha Puraskar amid a programme held at Natikaji Shrestha’s residence in Chabahil, Kathmandu, on Wednesday.

Various awards and honours were announced on the occasion of the 99th birth anniversary of music maestro Natikaji Shrestha. 

The awards are being presented every year to the creators who have made special contributions to Nepali songs and music.

The names of the awardees and honourees were announced based on the recommendations of the honour and award recommendation committee, chaired by senior singer Meera Rana, informed in the programme. 

 This year, the Natikaji Rastriya Bishishta Sangeet  Samman- 2080 will be presented to Nagendra Thapa, Bom Bahadur Karki, Dhana Lama, Prakash Sayami, Gyanuradha Gorkhali, Buddhabir Lama, Diwakar Khadka, Kiran KC 'Krodhi' and Yashodha Parajuli.  

Similarly, the Natikaji Rastriya Sangeet Puraskar will be given to singers Himal Sagar, Bindu Pariyar, B. Pandey, Ashish Aviral (Khim Bahadur Gautam) and Samrat Thapa.

The Natikaji Rastriya Pratibha Puraskar 2080 will be presented to Bhola Paudel, David Shankar, Smita Dahal and Kalyan Singh.

Furthermore, the Natikaji Rastriya Shastriya Sangeet Puraskar  will be awarded to Ramesh Pokharel while Lok Sangeet Puraskar will be presented to Ram Prasad Awasthi, Sushma Shahi Thakuri and Krishna BK.

 The Natikaji Rastriya Yogdan Honour will be given to writer Bimal Bhaukaji and the Sangeet Sadhana Pratishthan Nepal, Itahari.

Likewise, Sukreet Nepal, an arts journalist from Gorkhapatra, will be honoured with the Natikaji National Arts Journalism Award 2080. 

Society Vice-President Deepak Shrestha said that this award will also be presented to journalist Sushil Aryal, who has been actively contributing to arts journalism for over two decades.

During the programme, Society President Shambhujit Baskota highlighted the legacy and contributions of legendary Natikaji Shrestha, stating that annual honours and awards are given in his memory and as a token of respect.

Baskota also mentioned ongoing collaborations with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to preserve Natikaji’s legacy through various programmes, emphasising that the history of Nepali music would be incomplete without him.