A special program was held to commemorate Prof. Rajendra Subedi’s 82nd birth anniversary. The event, organized at the Rastriya Naach Ghar in Jamal, highlighted Subedi’s personality and achievements, and heartfelt tributes were paid to him.
On the occasion, this year’s Rajendra Subedi Art Award was presented to theater director Bhairav Bahadur Thapa. Similarly, the Rajendra Subedi Literature Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Dayaram Shrestha. Both awards, each with a prize of 21,000 rupees, were presented by the chief guest, former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal.
The awards are funded by the trust instituted by the late essayist and critic Rajendra Subedi’s family with seed money of one million rupees.
Chief guest Khanal remembered Subedi as a friend and colleague and paid his respects. He congratulated the awardees and expressed that the state should actively seek out and honor such talents.
Speaking at the program, award recipient Prof. Dr. Dayaram Shrestha recalled meeting Rajendra Subedi in his first year of teaching MA. He remembered Subedi’s help in researching Sanskrit literature and history. He also mentioned his current research on the history of the Nepali khukuri and Mount Everest.
Vice President of the trust, Dr. Ramesh Subhechha, presented the history and plans of the organization and summarized Subedi’s personality. Dr. Subhechha also mentioned that the organization would adopt Subedi’s method of talent selection for future awards. This time, Dr. Dayaram Shrestha and Bhairav Bahadur Thapa were selected as special talents in two categories.
The ceremony was attended by various writers, artists, professors, and literary enthusiasts. The program also included cultural performances and poetry recitation.
Professor Rajendra Subedi’s wife, Indira Subedi, and other family members were notably present at the event. Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts Naramuni Hartanchali, lifetime member Sita Subedi, Dr. Ramprasad Dahal, and Dr. Bhagwat Acharya addressed the program. Chief guest Khanal distributed certificates to the lifetime members of the organization. Chairman Jivendra Dev Giri concluded the event with a vote of thanks.
