Natikaji Smriti Samaj has announced the recipients of the prestigious Natikaji National Honour and Award. The honours and awards were announced during a programme held at the residence of legendary music maestro Natikaji Shrestha in Chabahil, Kathmandu, on Wednesday. The event marked the 99th birth anniversary of the iconic figure in Nepali music.
These annual awards honor creators who have made remarkable contributions to Nepali music and songs. The awardees were selected based on recommendations from the Honour and Award Recommendation Committee, chaired by senior singer Meera Rana, as revealed during the programme.
This year, the Natikaji Rastriya Bishishta Sangeet Samman 2080 will be conferred upon Nagendra Thapa, Bom Bahadur Karki, Dhana Lama, Prakash Sayami, Gyanuradha Gorkhali, Buddhabir Lama, Diwakar Khadka, Kiran KC ‘Krodhi,’ and Yashodha Parajuli.
The Natikaji Rastriya Sangeet Puraskar will be awarded to singers Himal Sagar, Bindu Pariyar, B. Pandey, Ashish Aviral (Khim Bahadur Gautam), and Samrat Thapa.
The Natikaji Rastriya Pratibha Puraskar 2080 will recognize Bhola Paudel, David Shankar, Smita Dahal, and Kalyan Singh for their contributions.
Additionally, the Natikaji Rastriya Shastriya Sangeet Puraskar will be presented to Ramesh Pokharel, while the Lok Sangeet Puraskar will honor Ram Prasad Awasthi, Sushma Shahi Thakuri, and Krishna BK.
Writer Bimal Bhaukaji and the Sangeet Sadhana Pratishthan Nepal, Itahari, will receive the Natikaji Rastriya Yogdan Honour.
In the field of arts journalism, Sukreet Nepal of Gorkhapatra will be honored with the Natikaji National Arts Journalism Award 2080, alongside journalist Sushil Aryal, who has contributed to arts journalism for over two decades.
During the event, Society President Shambhujit Baskota paid tribute to Natikaji Shrestha’s unparalleled contributions to Nepali music. He emphasized that the history of Nepali music would be incomplete without Natikaji and highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to preserve his legacy through various initiatives.
Vice-President Deepak Shrestha expressed pride in continuing the tradition of recognizing excellence in music and arts in Natikaji’s memory, ensuring his contributions remain a guiding light for future generations.
