Kathmandu– Singers and lyricists who have been active in Nepali music for a long time have received the ‘Natikaji National Music Award 2081’. The Natikaji Memorial Society presented the awards and honors at a ceremony held at the President’s Office, Shital Niwas, on Friday, presented by President Ram Chandra Paudel.

In the program, 9 individuals received the ‘Natikaji National Special Music Award 2081’. Those honored include lyricist Narayan Kumar Acharya, singer Jujukani Ranjit, lyricist Birendra Pathak, singer Shashi Gurung, singer Ganesh Parajuli, lyricist/singer/composer Dr. Bhimarjun Acharya, composer Nirvan Si Gurung, lyricist Sabu Gadail, and lyricist and composer Asht Lama.

Similarly, 6 individuals received the ‘Natikaji National Music Award 2081’. Those receiving this award include lyricist Manoj Khadka, singer Roshan Gurung, composer Tara Prakash Limbu, singer Sarita Shahi, arranger Chand Singh, and recordist Maheshwor Rajbhandari.

In the program, singer Sahima Shrestha, singer Suresh Lama, and singer Bipana Tamang received the ‘Natikaji National Talent Award 2081’, while Pramod Upadhyay alone received the ‘Natikaji National Classical Music Award 2081’ in the classical music category.

On the same occasion, two individuals from the journalism field, Ananta Wagle and Gita Adhikari, were awarded the ‘Natikaji National Art Journalism Award 2081’.

The society, established in memory of the towering figure of Nepali music, Music Maharshi Natikaji Shrestha, presents such honors every year to recognize and encourage creators, said the society’s chairman Shambhujeet Baskota.

During the program, the honored and awarded artists performed 4 popular songs by the late Natikaji live.