President Ramchandra Paudel honoured senior artists from various fields of music, drama, and dance during the Nepal Music and Drama National Academy Award Ceremony 2024 held at the Office of the President on Wednesday.
On the occasion, veteran singer Deep Shrestha received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Likewise, senior theatre artist Hari Bahadur Thapa was recognised in the drama category, while renowned singer Kunti Moktan was awarded in the music category. Senior dramatist Bed Kumari Neupane was also honoured in the theatre category, with senior dance director Bhuwandas Shrestha receiving the award for dance.
Additional honorees included Krishna Prasad Paudel for his contributions to dance research and exploration, folk singer Narayan Rayamajhi in the folk music category, Kusheshwar Rai in traditional and classical music, and senior instrumentalist Raju Agrawal in the instrumental music category.
In his speech, President Paudel spoke about Nepal’s rich and diverse culture. He said that the country’s many languages, ethnic groups, songs, and performances help bring people together. “Nepal is as diverse as its landscape. Here, music and drama are not just for entertainment—they are an important part of our identity,” he said. President Paudel also acknowledged that Nepal’s political changes have given rise to new perspectives on art, leading to the formation of institutions like the Nepal Music and Drama National Academy.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey also addressed the event, calling the awards historic tributes to generations of artists whose dedication has kept Nepal’s cultural legacy alive. “We are no longer limited to foreign tunes. Our own words, voices, and music are now being heard around the world,” he said.
