Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

It was definitely an affair to remember. The much-awaited 7th Annual Image Awards kicked off magnanimously on the evening of May 28 at BICC. An evening with all the panache and oomph one could ever find and the galaxy of all the stars of Nepal. The show was a perfect podium for the talented stars of the music industry of Nepal to get acknowledgement and appreciation for the immense hard work and talent they have put in to make their music credible. The event started at around 4:30 pm by a sizzling performance by Nirnaya ‘Da Naughty Soul Kid dressed up in a hip-hop attire and then in ‘daura-surwal’ creating the perfect atmosphere for the audience to get grooving all through the night. The stage was decorated beautifully rendering the event an international look. The compéres of the show were VJs and RJs of Image Channel who did their job well leaving no chance for goof-ups. And can the over-enthusiastic crowd go unmentioned which was going ballistic and enjoying each moment to a crescendo?

It was interesting to watch the nominees, nervous and expectant to win as for the presenters, they hailed from diverse backgrounds. The most amazing thing about the whole event was the awesome performances put in by some of the most sought-after names of the Nepali music industry including The Uglyz, Sindhu Malla, 1974 AD, Axis Band, Kunti Moktan and daughters, Shivani and Sheetal Moktan, Karma Band, Raju Lama and the final performance by a group of young and vibrant artists. The enthralling part of the show was when the presenters of the awards shook a leg or two while giving away awards. A remarkable dance stunt by industrialist Rajendra Khetan was definitely an once-in-a-lifetime chance for the audience. And of course our very own superstar Rajesh Hamal also didn’t lag behind when it came to manifesting his dancing skills.

Amongst all the other categories of awards given, The Lifetime Achievement Award was definitely heart rendering. It was awared to Jana Kavi Keshari Dharma Raj Thapa for his unmatchable contribution to Nepali music.” “Phoolko Aankhama” by Ani bagged the Best Vocal performance from ‘Moments of Bliss’ and Udit Narayan Jha and Dipa Jha’s album ‘Upahar’ got the Best Album award.

Five other awards were also given felicitating the top five advertising agencies in Nepal.

Group A

• Best Vocal Performance (Male): Bachan Tode — Ram Krishna Dhakal

• Best Vocal Performance (Female): Phool Ko Aankhama — Ani Choying Dolma

• Best Album of the Year: Upahar — Udit Narayan Jha and Dipa Jha

• Best Song of the Year: Phool Ko Aankhama — Ani Choying Dolma

• Best Lyrics of the Year: Kahile Timro

— Raman Ghimire (Upahar)

• Best Music Composition of the Year: Phool Ko Aankhama — Nhyoo

Bajracharya

• Best Vocal Performance Pop (Male): Kina Malai — Deepesh Kishor Bhattarai

• Best Vocal Performance Pop (Female): Dherai Palta — Preeti Kaur

• Best Vocal Performance Rock/Others: Pinjada Ko Suga — 1974 AD

• Best Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo: Chhori Magna Janda — Dr Pilots

• Best New Artist of the Year: Aaja Bholi — Sudip Giri

• Best Vocal Performance with

National Feeling: Ma Nepali

— Nirnaya Shrestha and

Maushami Gurung

• Best Music Arrangement of the Year: Kati Ramro — Amul Karkidhali

• Best Song Recording of the

Year: Chhori Magna Janda

— Hemanta Shrestha

Group B

• Best Folk Album of the Year: Majhi Dai — Kalinchok Cassette, Milan Lama, Bima Kumari Lama

• Best Folk Song of the Year: Aakasaiko Kalo Badal

— Tulasi Parajuli, Loreto Singh

• Best Dohori Song of the Year: Majhi Dai — Milan Lama,

Bima Kumari Lama

Group C

• Best Movie Sound Track: Yani Maya — Suresh Adhikari Films, Aamako

Aashirbad

Group D

• Best Music Video: Adhuro Prem — SAV, Key Production, Pooja Gurung, Black and White

• Best Music Video Director: Sa Karnali — Bhushan Dahal, Bhedako Uun Jasto

• Best Music Video Cameraman: Aankha Bhari — Pramod Karki

• Best Music Video Special Effects: Aaudai Jadai — Empty Spaces, Rush

• Best Music Video Editor: Adhuro Prem — Sristi Gahatraj, Black and White

Group E

• Best Song of the Year (Nepali Bhasha): Musukka Nhila — Jujukaji Ranjit,

Sanjaya Shrestha, B Nanda Baidya

• Best Song of the Year (Maithili Bhasha): Hamare Daalaa Panpathiya — Rama Mandal, Rupa Jha