Musician Dr Samar Bahadur Malla received ‘Natikaji Rastriya Visisṭa Srasta Samman’ with a cash prize of Rs 20,001in an event organized by Natikaji Smriti Samaj. The organization felicitated those who have contributed in Nepali music fraternity, on the occasion of 95 th birth anniversary of Natikaji Shrestha.

The special function took place on Thursday at the office of Vice President of Nepal, Kathmandu. In the event, other eight artists/musicians — Karma Yonjan, Jagatmardan Thapa, Bharati Upadhaya, Tirthakumara Thapa, Shambhu Rai, Ck Rasaili, Milan Moktan, and Mohan Krishna Dhili—  were felicitated with ‘Natikaji Rastriya Visesh Sangit Samman.’

Likewise, Suresh Adhikari, Yam Baral, Pramod Dhungana and Rekha Shah were felicitated with ‘Natikaji Rastriya Sangit Puraskar’ along with a cash prize of Rs 11,111 each. Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, felicitated them in the event.

Moreover, Musician Manraja Nakarmi, Lyricist Bhupendra Khadka, Singer Pralahaad Timalsina and Singer Tika Parsain were honored with ‘Natikaji Rastriya Sangit Prativa Puraskar’.

Speaking at the event, Pun said government has not been able to do anything to encourage new artists and to promote their work. President of Natikaji Smriti Samaj and senior Musician Sambhujeet Baskota said, “We have been organizing this event for past few years now. And it aims at remembering the contribution of Natikaji Shrestha in Nepali music industry.”

The felicitation event was followed by different musical performance by artists like Yam Baral, Tika Parsain, and Unnati Pandey.