Anjita Pradhan

Kathmandu:

Come 2005 and Hits FM - 91.2 - again pulled up their bootstraps and brought in one of the most happening and prestigious music awards in the country. Hits FM have presented the award ceremony eight times in a row and from the show it was evident that it’s getting better each time. Hits FM Music Award 2061 was held at Birendra International Convention Centre on January 14.

The programme had more to offer than just awards. The star-studded afternoon was made even brighter by programmes squeezed in between the awards. As a surprise package, the entire Moktan family was there to enhance the quality of the afternoon. This was the first time that the whole family was performing together.

Garima rocked the crowd with her songs - “Rock Me” and “Slide”, which were nominated for Best Song in a Foreign Language. Nominations were announced amidst applause, happy and sad faces. Tulsi Parajuli - famous for his folk songs - performed beautifully before the audience, balancing the happy and sad moments.

Music is the sustaining soul of Hits FM. As a tradition they pay tribute to great musicians who are no longer with us. This time Hits FM paid tribute to the music legend Arun Thapa. Walking down memory lane Mukunt, Udesh and Anmol performed Arun Thapa’s melodies for the audience. Not to forget the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was dedicated to Ratna Samsher Thapa whose contribution towards the music industry has been immense.

The ceremony rocked with male vocals performing the numbers that had got them nominated for the award. To put it in a nutshell, the programme was crisp and entertaining.

• Best New Artiste: Bharat Sitaula

• Best Song in a Foreign Language: Garima Gurung for “Slide”

• Best Music Video: Alok Nembang for “Dubna Deu”

• Best Rock Composition: 1974 A.D for ‘Pinjadako Suga’

• Best Pop Composition: Anil Singh for “Dubna Deu”

• Best Composition: Karna Das for “Pardesh Bata”

• Best Song originally Recorded for a Motion Picture Soundtrack: “Aankha Bharika” - Ranjit Gazmer-Dui Kinara

• Best Vocal Collaboration: Udesh Shrestha/ Bhugol Dahal - ‘Yo Junima’

• Best Performance by a Group or Duo With Vocal: Nepathya for ‘Sa Karnali’

• Folk Album of the Year: Subi Shaha and Friends for ‘Hamro Sanskriti’

• Folk Record of The Year: Dinesh Kafle/Gita Devi for ‘Bhannu Nabhako’

• Best Pop Vocal Performance (Female): Sukmit Gurung for “Pal Pal”

• Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male): Anil Singh for “Dubna Deu”

• Best Female Vocal Performance: Sukmit Gurung for “Yo Mayalai”

• Best Male Vocal Performance: Karna Das for “Pardesh Bata”

• Song of the Year: BB Thapa for “Pardesh Bata”

• Album Of the Year: Udit Narayan Jha for ‘Upahaar’

• Record Of the Year: Udit Narayan Jha for “Kahiley Timro”