Rama Adhikari, TGT
Kathmandu, March 13
Nepali Kalasahitya Dot Com Pratisthan, a premier Foundation working in the field of art, culture and literature, distributed Kalashree Honor and Awards for the year 2020-21 to various writers and artists in Kathmandu on Friday. In the twelfth cycle of such awards, progressive singer and composer Raamesh was decorated with invaluable Rashtriya Kalashree Honor. Playwright and director Ashesh Malla received Rashtriya Kalashree Award with citation and one hundred thousand rupees cash, while young poet and journalist Thakur Belbase was honored with Sa-siddhi Rashtirya Yuva Sahitya Puraskar, dedicated to young writers. The last named award consists of a citation and seventy-five thousand rupees cash.
Senior literary journalist, writer and publisher Laxmi Uprety was honored with Badri Rashtirya Kalashree Patrakarita Puraskar, an award with a cash of fifty thousand rupees, dedicated exclusively to literary journalists. Singer Milan Newar bagged Padmanetra Rashtirya Kalashree Lalitkala Sangeet Puraskwar with a cash prize of fifty thousand rupees for her contribution to Nepali music while artist Bidhata KC was honored with Thir-Chhaya Rashtriya Kalashree Lalitkala Puraskar, dedicated to fine artists. The award also consists of fifty thousand rupees with citation.
Starting with this year, the Foundation has also started managing the distribution of two other awards which other organizations and people had been distributing in the past years. Yogeshwar Wangmaya Puraskar, established and managed by poet Rajeshwar Karki in memory of his father, was conferred on Dr. Madhusudhan Giri for his contribution to creative and critical writing. Gregory Kalasanskriti Puraskar, an award dedicated to the veterans of art and culture, and established by American researcher Gregory Maskarinec, was conferred on writer and researcher Manohar Lamichhane. Both these awards carry a sum of twenty-five thousand rupees each.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest, senior cultural expert and writer Satya Mohan Joshi said, development and happiness won’t materialize with physical development alone, until art and literature receive optimum attention. Singer Raamesh criticized the opportunist establishment for overlooking artists while playwright Ashesh Malla lauded the awards as public endorsements of their works. Poet Thakur Belbase thanked the organization for boosting his morale and inspiring him to be more responsible, while singer Milan Newa, in an emotional overtone, said, it was a dream-come-true on her part to be awarded from the hands of veterans like Satya Mohan Joshi and Momila. She sang the song “Yo Karma Bhoomiko Aanganma” and entertained the audience. Singer Sishir Yogi sang a song penned by Satya Mohan Joshi and composed by Raamesh.
Welcoming the guests, vice-president of the Foundation, poet Rajeshwar Karki outlined the achievement history and philosophical landscape of the Foundation that combines literature, art and music, while its Patron, poet Bimal Koirala, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to continue the good work in the best possible way from a public end, in spite of material constraints. Lecturers of TU, poet Keshab Sigdel and Mahesh Paudyal briefly introduced the awardees.
Speaking from the position of the chair, Foundation’s chairperson Momila expressed happiness at the overwhelming support the Foundation has been receiving from donors, sponsors and well-wishers. “We always feel honored, when the names we pick for awards are endorsed by the public in an overwhelming way,” she said.
The event was held at the auditorium hall of Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu.