KATHMANDU, July 19

President Ram Baran Yadav on sunday said religion, philosophy, art and culture descended from our ancestors as identities bearing national life.

The president made the remark at a special ceremony in Shital Niwas to honour four artists that have made significant contribution to the country’s music and drama. On the occasion, President Yadav conferred ‘Nepali Sangeet and Natya Rastriya Pragya Award’ on senior drama director Hari Prasad Rimal, senior music director Chandra Raj Sharma, senior dance director Bhairav Bhahadur Thapa and senior player of folk musical instrument Nhuchhe Bahadur Dangol.

The award carries a purse of Rs 100,000 each and a copper plaque.

President Yadav said Nepal had the diversity not only in nature but also in culture. “Various ethnic communities living in Nepal’s mountainous, hilly and Tarai-Madhes regions for hundreds of years have been preserving their traditional cultures,” President Yadav added.

He added that it was time for the intellectual society to preserve the invaluable art and culture of the country.

At the function, Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music and Drama Saru Bhakta said Nepal was not only rich in terms of natural beauty and bio-diversity but also in cultural beauty and literary diversity. Academy Vice Chancellor Shambhujit Banskota said the Academy was active in preserving Nepal’s music, culture and dance.