Singer Ale receives Saru Sangit Rastriya Puraskar

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, sep,1: The first Saru Sangit Rastriya Puraskar was presented to folk singer Kabita Ale. 

The prize established by Saru Sangit Ghar in memory of Saru (Saraswati) Niraula by her husband, singer Komal Niraula, sons Danny Niraula and Bhishan Niraula and daughter Jhuma Niraula carries a purse of Rs. 25,000. 

Senior musician Deepak Jangam presented the award to Ale during the fourth anniversary of Saru Sangit Ghar in Lalitpur on Saturday. Danny, Bhishan and Jhuma are also established singers.

Saru died in Ilam in August 2000. Her husband, sons and daughter set up a fund of Rs. 300,000 to present the prize to a singer aged over 40 every year.  Ale is the first recipient of the prize.

Saru Sangit Ghar teaches music. In four years, it produced about 500 students.  According to Danny Niraula, Director General of Saru Sangit Ghar, currently, 82 students aged between eight and 70 years are studying music in the institution. 

A large number of friends and students of Komal Niraula from Ilam, working and retired civil servants, and others attended the anniversary ceremony.