Minister Kharel, artists feted

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 17: On the occasion of the 101st birth anniversary of the late Hari Prasad Rimal, Radio Nepal’s first singer, actor, and theatre artist, Hari Prasad Kalyani Rimal Natya Sangeet Pratisthan organised various programmes to commemorate his contributions to art, literature, and theatre.

Every year, on Rimal’s birth anniversary, Ashoj 2, the Pratisthan honours and awards distinguished personalities from the field of art, literature, and journalism. 

This year, the event, which had been postponed due to the Gen Z protest, was held on Thursday.

On this occasion, the pratisthan organised a Short Film Festival and honoured notable figures.

Among those honoured was Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel, along with various other distinguished personalities.

Minister Kharel was awarded with the Hari Prasad Kalyani Rimal Sanchar Sewa Samman, while singer Mira Rana received the Hari Prasad Rimal Natya Sangeet Samman.

Likewise, pop singer Dhiraj Rai was awarded the Hari Prasad Kalyani Rimal Bisesh Natya Sangeet Samman.

According to the Pratisthan’s member secretary, Samrat Sapkota, nine short films competed in the festival, selected from more than two dozen submissions. 

He said, “Since Guru Hari Prasad Rimal was also an actor, we decided to organise a short film festival. This event aims to encourage new talents.”

The top three films were ‘Sangini’ directed by Binod Lohar, ‘Colour of Tea’ directed by Raj Sargam, and ‘Antim Raap’ directed by Suresh Portel.

They received cash prizes of Rs. 100,000, Rs. 50,000, and Rs. 25,000, respectively, along with certificates of honour.

In the individual categories, six awards were given for Best Editing, Writing, Directing, Acting, Cinematography, and Screenplay, each carrying Rs. 15,000 and a certificate.

The jury panel included veteran actor-director Harihar Sharma, Nepal’s first actress Bhuwan Chand, and radio artist Madan Das Shrestha.

Speaking at the programme, Minister Kharel said that though he could not become a singer himself, he has followed the artistic legacy of Kalyani and Hari Prasad Rimal through journalism.

The Pratisthan had decided to honour him before his ministerial appointment. 

The event was made even more special by the presence of 94-year-old Kalyani Rimal, wife of the late Hari Prasad Rimal.