Kathmandu: Creators, practitioners, and notable personalities from various fields who have long contributed to Nepali art, literature, music, journalism, film, and social sectors were honored on a single stage. In a special ceremony organized by Milap Monthly on Thursday in Kathmandu, various awards and recognitions, including the ‘Tika-Gopal National Song and Music Award-2083,’ were presented along with the exchange of best wishes for Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, and Nepal Sambat-1147.
The ceremony, graced by distinguished personalities of the Nepali art sector Tri-Devi Chaitadevi Singh, Basundhara Bhusal, and Bhuvan Chand, honored individuals who made remarkable contributions in the fields of Nepali art, literature, music, journalism, film, social service, and culture.
At the program, epic poet Khemnath Dahal was awarded the ‘Tika-Gopal National Song Music Award-2083’. The award, established in the name of their parents by popular singer and musician Kanhaiya Singh and Swara Madhuri Anjana Gurung, was presented to Dahal. The award was given to Dahal by the chief guest, editor of Milap Monthly and program chairperson Krishna Bhusal, along with Geeta Singh, president of the ‘Tika-Gopal’ Foundation, and veteran musician and advisor Santosh Shrestha, among others. The organizers stated that this award, given to Dahal who has contributed to various genres of Nepali literature and song music, further fulfills the purpose of honoring individuals dedicated to creative practice and the promotion of national song music.
At the event, personalities from various fields featured on the cover of Milap magazine were specially honored. Those who received the ‘Milap Cover Honor’ included Urmila Shrestha, Vikrambhakt Joshi, Raju Singh, Khemnath Dahal, Ambika Gurung, Uttam KC, Basanta Vityasi Thapa, Devendra Bajagai, Sumina Shrestha, Nishita Joshi, Rashmi Pandey, Raj Tiger, Sunita Kunwar, Manoj Pariyar, and Sandeep Bhujel.
Similarly, Dr. Mohanlal Ghising, Sitaram Pokhrel, RP Pant, Gopal Kaji Kayastha, Bijayaratna Tuladhar, Binod Devkota, Saroj Bastola, Manju Lawati, Shashi Lumumbu, Radhakumari Dahal, Yogaraj Pandey ‘Ranjan’, Ashok Baral, Shanti Gurung, Basanti Sada Shankar, Bindira Shrestha, Swastika Panthi, and Suman Sapkota, among others, who have been actively contributing in art, literature, journalism, social service, and various other fields, were awarded the ‘Milap Honor’.
The speakers at the program mentioned that Nepali art, literature, and music are important carriers of national identity, language, culture, and social awareness, and they emphasized that the contributions of creators should be properly recognized. They believed that programs honoring personalities who have long been dedicated to creation and practice not only enhance the dignity of the Nepali creative field but also inspire the new generation to move forward in art, literature, and music. The chief guest, Vasundhara Bhusal, highlighted the important role of creators in the development and preservation of Nepali art and said that honoring their contributions is commendable. She expressed confidence that such programs bring together active talents from various fields and promote mutual harmony and cooperation. Awardee Prasikriti Byaktitva Dahal expressed heartfelt gratitude to the organizers for presenting him the award and shared stories of both this world and the beyond. He mentioned that he had been continuously working in literature out of a passion for awards and recognition, and that he had received various awards and honors as a result.
Similarly, Radha Shyam Lekali, former president of the International Nepali Literary Society and president of the Literary Journalists Association, Ganesh Subedi, member of the Film Development Board, and Santosh Shrestha, advisor of the ‘Tika-Gopal National Song and Music Award’ and record-holding musician, expressed their congratulatory messages. They praised the work that Milap Monthly has been doing to promote Nepali art, literature, and music and to honor creators, while also sharing their views on contemporary issues.
At the event, Gita Adhikari, executive editor of Milap Monthly, delivered the welcome speech, while director Madhavraj Kharel hosted the program. Child artist Kabya Adhikari performed a welcome dance, making the event even more engaging. On this occasion, tokens of love were also presented to the chief guest and various distinguished personalities.
The ceremony was attended by senior litterateur Lekhnath Pokharel, Ramesh Dahal, General Secretary of the International Nepali Literary Society Nepal Chapter, senior journalist Sanukaji Shrestha, Tulsi Giri ‘Bhavuk’, Dabbu Kshetri, Nimesh Gautam, litterateur Shailendra Chapagain, Savita Behosi, senior journalist and songwriter Shantipriya, senior artist Lay Sangraula, actress and singer Sarika Ghimire, director Ramsharan Koirala, and actor Shridev Bhattarai, along with various distinguished personalities from the fields of art, literature, journalism, and entertainment.
Concluding the program, the chairperson and editor of the Milap monthly magazine, Krishna Bhusal, said that honoring the contributions of creators and practitioners is an important foundation for the preservation and promotion of Nepali art, literature, and culture. He expressed a commitment to continue Milap’s ongoing mission of connecting talents from different fields on a single platform and encouraging them, a mission the magazine has carried out continuously for the last 17 years. Photo: Surendra Thapa
