KATHMANDU: The Nepal Academy of Music and Drama (NAMUDA) honoured six veterans of different artistic fields amidst an event held in the Capital on June 27.
Vice President Ram Sahaya Yadav felicitated them with the Nepal Sangeet Tatha Natya Rastriya Pragya Puraskar-2079 on the occasion of NAMUDA's 13th anniversary, according to a press release issued by NAMU- DA The honourees included folk singer Nabin Kishor Rai (folk music), singer, musician and lyricist Ganesh Rashik (music), Bijay Kumar Shrestha (traditional and classical music), theatre artiste Bhairab Chhetri (theatre), dance director Kulman Nepali (dance), drama researcher Prof Dr Ramchandra Pokharel (drama), the press release informed.
The honourees received a cash prize of Rs 100,000 and a certificate each.
Addressing the event, Vice President Yadav said, "NAMUDA should revise, refine and broaden itself more as per the constitutional provision and work to prosper and advance the different forms (ancient, local, folk, tradition and classical et cetera) of songs, music, dance and drama that is Nepal's cultural identity."
Meanwhile, Nisha Sharma, Chancellor of NAMUDA was quoted as saying, "Art is static. It's the artistes who make it moveable."
One of the honourees, Rashik expressed his happiness over NAMUDA operating from its building. He also urged the NAMUDA to make the artistes - contributing to Nepali music, dance and drama for decades - its life members, the release added.
A version of this article appears in the print on June 29, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
