Neer Shah Honoured with Rs. 151,000 ‘Amar Bhawana National Creator Award’

Kathmandu: The Lyricists’ Association of Nepal (LAN) has celebrated its 17th anniversary with a grand awards ceremony and musical programme, honouring prominent contributors to Nepali music, literature and journalism.

The event, held on Sunday at Nepal Police Club in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, was attended by renowned lyricist Kiran Kharel as the chief guest and chaired by Basanta Bityasi Thapa, president of the Lyricists’ Association of Nepal.

Renowned lyricist Neer Shah was honoured with the ‘Amar Bhawana National Creator Award’, carrying a cash prize of Rs. 151,000, in recognition of his more than five decades of contribution to Nepali arts and music. He was presented with a certificate of honour, a garland and a traditional shawl.

Shah is widely recognised for his memorable songs, including Badal Banai Deu, Gahirai Ma Dubdai Nadub, Parkhi Base Aau La Bhani, Timisanga Dungama Ghumdai Phewa Tal, Hiun Bhanda Chiso, Aago Bhanda Taato and Aankhai Ma Kasai Ko Tasbir.

Six Creators Honoured with Awards and Recognition

This year’s ‘Diaspora Lyricist Award’ was presented to lyricist Neelam Angbuhang Rai, along with a cash prize of Rs. 15,000, in recognition of her continued contribution to Nepali songwriting while living abroad. Her popular songs include Purano Hudaina Maya and Pani Mitho Mero Hajur Ilam Bazar Ko.

The ‘Bishnu Mansara Ghale Mother Tongue Lyricist Award’ was presented to Lohrung Rai-language lyricist Naindra Lohorung Rai, along with a cash prize of Rs. 25,252, for his contribution to mother-tongue music.

The ‘Haribhakta Budhathoki Emerging Lyricist Award 2082’ was jointly awarded to lyricists Sushila Paudel and Arun Tiwari. Both received cash prizes of Rs. 15,000 each in recognition of their dedication and emerging contributions to Nepali songwriting.

The association also introduced the ‘Lyricists’ Association of Nepal Journalism Award 2082’ for the first time this year. Senior journalist Krishna Bhusal, deputy editor of Himalaya Times, received the award along with a cash prize of Rs. 5,555.

Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Neer Shah expressed his appreciation for the recognition and the association’s efforts to honour lyricists and promote Nepali music.

Literary and Songwriting Awards Presented

The ‘Jagat Mardan Thapa Annual Songbook Award 2082’ was presented to Kalpana Kharel for her work Nandini and Gyanendra Gadal for Bholiko Aasha Ujyalo Prakash. The awards carried a total cash prize of Rs. 57,000, as announced by the organisers.

Similarly, the ‘Bhairavnath Rimal (Kadam) Annual Song Award’, carrying a cash prize of Rs. 57,000, was presented to lyricist Dambar Yakso for Ma Timro Najarma and Prabal Bista for Bhulna Sakina.

The association also distributed membership certificates to newly recognised lifetime members and presented tokens of appreciation to individuals and organisations that supported the event.

Live Musical Performances of Timeless Nepali Songs

Alongside the award ceremony, the programme featured live performances of ten timeless songs honouring veteran Nepali lyricists. Popular singers performed the songs with live musical accompaniment arranged by senior music composer Ashok Kumar Rai and a team of 15 accomplished instrumentalists.

Singer Jagadish Samal performed Neer Shah’s philosophical song Gahirai Ma Dubdai Nadub, while Sanjay Tumrok presented lyricist Dr. Bhola Rizal’s emotional song Mero Pauwa Patilai.

In tribute to late lyricist Ganesh Rasik, singer Ashok Mukarung performed the popular eastern folk-modern song Dherai Samjhe Dherai Hunchha.

The romantic song Dhadkan Bhitra Lukaideu Na, written by lyricist S.P. Koirala for the film Grahhan, was performed as a duet by Rupak Chaudhary and Binusha Rai.

Singer Nisha Desar delivered an emotional performance of Amar Bantu’s song Aama, while Mandavi Tripathi performed poet and lyricist Basanta Chaudhary’s modern song Mero Pyaro Manche.

The well-known song Marne Kasailai Rahar Hudaina, written by the association’s founding president, Dr. Krishna Hari Baral, was performed by young singer Prem Pariyar, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Other notable performances included Badalharu Ho, written by lyricist Yogendra Mani Dahal and performed by Sanjay Tumrok; Timro Pani Ragat, a patriotic song by former association president Chudamani Devkota, performed by Sumit Khadka; and Timile Malai Chhadi Gaye, written by former president Shubha Mukarung and performed by Ganesh Parajuli.

The live musical arrangements were led by senior composer Ashok Kumar Rai, supported by a 15-member instrumental team featuring keyboards, violins, tabla, dholak, flute, madal, guitars and electronic percussion.

Rs. 115,000 Donated to Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund

Addressing the gathering, association president and programme chair Basanta Bityasi Thapa explained that the anniversary celebration had been postponed due to the devastating floods and landslides that struck Nepal on Bhadra 10.

In response to the natural disaster, the association had donated Rs. 115,000 from the budget originally allocated for the event to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, demonstrating solidarity with communities affected by the disaster.

Thapa reaffirmed the association’s commitment to preserving the dignity of Nepali lyrics, promoting songwriting and recognising the contributions of creators. He also thanked the artists, guests, supporting organisations and everyone who contributed to the programme’s success.

Prominent Figures Attend the Ceremony

The event was attended by several distinguished figures from Nepal’s music, film, literary and media sectors, including Brajesh Khanal, Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Music and Drama; Member Secretary Bhupendra Rayamajhi; Uttam KC, President of the Film Artists Association of Nepal; Milan Moktan, President of the Musical Association of Nepal; senior journalist Sanukaji Shrestha; and Radheshyam Lekhali, President of the Literary Journalists’ Association.

The gathering also included the association’s founding president and renowned lyricist Dr. Krishna Hari Baral, lyricists Dr. Bhola Rizal, S.P. Koirala and Rajendra Thapa, as well as Amar Bantu, Dinesh Adhikari, Subash Chandra Dhungel, Pramod Dhungana, Bhushan Kharel, Yogendra Mani Dahal, Shubha Mukarung, Sunil Maskey, Dr. Rajubabu Shrestha and Devendra KC.

Veteran singer Lakpa Sherpa, singer and creator Durga Rayamajhi, and numerous other artists and cultural figures were also present.

The programme was hosted by Hem Subedi, a media professional and lifetime member of the association. The event was broadcast live through Radio Aaha 104.5 MHz and its Facebook page.

The 17th anniversary celebration brought together veteran and emerging lyricists, musicians and cultural figures on a common platform, highlighting the importance of recognising creative contributions, preserving Nepal’s musical heritage and encouraging future generations of songwriters.