NAMUDA honour artistes with Rastriya Pragya Puraskar

KATHMANDU: Veteran artistes of music and drama — instrumentalist Gopal Nath Yogi, folk music composer Prachanda Bahadur Budhathoki, playwright Mahendra Malangiya and actress Shakuntala Gurung Sharma have been honoured with the ‘Nepal Sangeet Tatha Natya Rastriya Pragya Puraskar — 2072’. They were awarded with tamra patra and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,001 each for their contributions in their respective fields at an event held at Nepal Academy, Kamaladi on June 27.

Musician Yogi, who has composed the one and only authentic Nepali Aishwarya Raaga and has been creating and educating music for more than five decades, has been honoured in the category of instrumentals. Budhathoki was awarded in folk music category for his contribution to composing revolutionary songs of people, especially in the western region.

Malangiya has been honoured for his theatrical works in Maithili, Hindi and Nepali languages, and veteran actress Gurung Sharma was awarded

in acting for her contribution to Nepali theatre as well as films since the age of 11.

“Art and music are always integral culture of Nepali lifestyle while the artistes are treasures of the country who are preserving the art and culture of Nepal. We have to promote such culture and art for which Academy has been set up,” President Bidhya Devi Bhandari who bestowed the awards to the artistes expressed at the event.

The Nepal Academy of Music and Drama (NAMUDA) is the behind the Award and this is its second edition. For actress Gurung Sharma the honour means “today’s generation honouring the past generations of artistes and this is a really a moment to rejoice for us”.

NAMUDA is aiming to “promote and conserve art and artistes” as per Saru Bhakta, Chancellor of NAMUDA who added at the event, “We are honouring artistes who have contributed their whole life to create and promote Nepali art and culture.”

As per Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Aananda Prasad Pokhrel, “Nepal has diversity in tribe, religion and culture. Such artistes are promoting our culture through their compositions. I’m willing to make these artists able to live their life through their professions.” — HNS