KATHMANDU, Nov 9: Laxman Ishar of Bright Future Higher Secondary School on Wednesday bagged the first prize at the three-day long National Solo Theatre Festival for Children organized by Kathmandu Pragya Kunja School at Shilpee Theatre.

Laxman was declared the winner for his set ‘Kaag Ra Kamila’ which he’d performed on the first day of the festival. Yubina Khadka, of United School, won the second prize for ‘Canvas’ and Rohan Tamang, of Sudesha High School, won the third prize for ‘Tato’.

Dilip Poudel (Sainik Awasiya Bidhyalaya, Pokhara) and Sushila Budhathoki (IJ Pioneer School) won the fourth and fifth prizes for their sets ‘Baideshik Rojgaar’ and ‘Where Is Your Homework’, respectively. The winners were decided by a jury comprising Harihar Sharma and Desh Bhakta Khanal. The participants were evaluated on the basis of their acting skills, overall performance and their connection with the audience.

The top five winners won a certificate, an award and cash prize of 5,000, Rs 4,000, Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000 from the hands of chief guest for the event and veteran actor Prachanda Malla.
A total of 32 students from 25 different schools of Nepal had participated in the competition. They performed their sets in various issues including social, political and everyday topics.

All participants of the Festival will now get a chance to take acting classes every Saturday at School Theatre Nepal in Maitidevi, festival director Tanka Chaulagain informed.