The Lifetime Achievement Award of the 8th Xtreme Energy Radio Kantipur National Music Awards–2082 has been presented to artist Nir Shah. Shah was honored with the award, along with a cash prize of one lakh rupees, at Radio Kantipur’s 28th anniversary celebration held at The Plaza in Pulchowk on Friday. Along with this, Radio Kantipur also presented awards to the best male and female singers in 16 categories.

After the Lifetime Achievement Award, singers Shiva Pariyar and Salina Bibek performed songs by Shah in his honor. Now 73 years old, Shah has accomplished many creative works. He is a successful actor, theater artist, director, producer, lyricist, and poet. For his lead role in the recent film ‘Paran’ (2082), Shah also received the Best Actor award at the National Film Awards.

Shah began his acting journey in 2024 BS with the film ‘Parivartan’ directed by Hira Singh Khatri. He has delivered powerful performances in numerous films including ‘Kusume Rumal’, ‘Prempinda’, ‘Nata Ragatko’, ‘Balidan’, ‘Dhukdhuki’, ‘Yo Mayako Sagar’, ‘Badalpari’, ‘Arjun’, ‘Siundoko Sindoor’, ‘Jeevansathi’, ‘Gaunthali’, ‘Baksis ra Bacha Bandhan’, ‘Munamadan’, ‘Sano Sansar’, ‘6 Ekan 6’, ‘Wada Number 6’, and ‘Chhakka Panja 3’.

Shah is currently busy with the post-production of his latest directorial film ‘Kamala Miss’. Over his career, he has directed films such as ‘Seto Bagh’, ‘Basanti’, ‘Rajamati’, ‘Vasudev’, ‘Masan’, and ‘Pachhis Basanta’. Shah has always narrated stories from a different perspective than the prevailing trends in film direction. His songs like ‘Parkhi Base Auala Bhani’ and ‘Aankhaima Kasai Ko Tasbir Basechha’ are among many that are popular. Shah is also credited with the establishment of Nepal Television.

Similarly, the Best Lyricist Award went to Narayan Kumar Acharya. Acharya received the award for the song ‘Sunchhau Malai Kasam’. In the Best Lyricist category, Rajubabu Shrestha for ‘Jharile Katai’, Pratima Gurung for ‘Na Jyun Sake Na Marn’, Manoj Bhandari for ‘Antim Raat’, and Pushkar Pant for ‘Lakhau Lakh Patak’ were also nominated alongside Acharya.

The Best Composer Award was won by Nhyoo Bajracharya. He received the award for the song ‘Kasto Nasha’. In the Best Composer category, Rajanraj Shiwakoti for ‘Jharile Katai’, Gaire Suresh for ‘Bujhne Manche’, Reshma Pun for ‘Mayaka Geet’, and Kabindra Tamang for ‘Saath Kahile Samma’ were also in competition with Bajracharya.

Bajracharya’s musical journey began in the 2040s BS. He formally started his music career with the song ‘Kati Kati Manka Kurabata’ sung by Prakash Shrestha. His compositions ‘Sayad Timro Batoma’, ‘Orali Lageko Harinko Chal Bho’, and ‘Hasne Rahar Jindagile’ remain equally popular today. The song ‘Sayathari Baja Eutai Taal’ is a special work in his musical career. He was also active as a judge on the reality show ‘Nepal Idol’.

The Best Female Playback Singer Award was won by Jhuma Limbu. Limbu received the award for the song ‘Kafle’ from the film ‘Unko Sweater’. In the Best Female Playback Singer category, Rachana Rimal for ‘Dhagole Bateko’, Salina Bik for ‘Kun Hawale’, Sunita Thegim for ‘Yuma Hajuri’, and Samiksha Adhikari for ‘Natra Bhane Jindagi’ were also nominated alongside Limbu.

Jhuma is known for her research, exploration, and promotion of indigenous music. Although she began her journey with Nepali light and modern songs, she has recently been active in the excavation and preservation of indigenous music. Her albums like ‘Sounds of Mundhum’, based on the Kirat culture and Mundhumi philosophy of eastern Nepal, have brought indigenous singing styles such as Hakpare, Palam, and Khyal to life.

The Best Male Playback Singer Award went to John Chamling Rai. He received the award for the song ‘Maya Garnu La’ from the film ‘Jerry on Top’. In the Best Male Playback Singer category, Sharad Humagain for ‘Chahindaina Mahar’, Sairaj Khati for ‘Timro Malai Huni Man Chha’, Ketan Kshetri for ‘Dherai Bhayo’, and Pushpan Pradhan for ‘Kagazka Khata’ were also selected alongside John.

Along with this, John also succeeded in winning the Extreme Energetic Performance Award. John from Dharan had an interest in music since his school days. He used to post his singing videos on social media, which is how he became known to listeners. His formal musical journey began with his first official debut song ‘Prashna’, released in 2020. John has released popular songs through his band ‘John and the Locals’. His songs ‘Ko Chha Ra’, ‘Parkhi Rahechhu’, ‘Nihit’, and ‘Hawa Jastai’ are well-known.

Songs like ‘Sadhana’, ‘Farkanna Hola’, ‘Ke Garu’, ‘Bhan Na Matra’, ‘Bhagyamani Moh’, and the recent hit ‘Maya Garnu La’ have made him even more popular.

The Best Modern Male Singer Award was won by Shiva Pariyar. He received the award for ‘Timi Arkai Ko Bhaidiyaau’. In the Best Modern Male Singer category, Prabin Bedwal for ‘Sunchhau Malai Kasam’, Rajesh Payal Rai for ‘Harek Raat’, Swaroopraj Acharya for ‘Aama Ke Garera Tiraun’, and Sumankumar Shrestha for ‘Jharile Katai’ were also nominated alongside Shiva.

Singer Pariyar’s professional musical journey began in 2059/60 BS. At that time, he won first place in the National Modern Song Competition organized by Radio Nepal. Shiva made his formal debut in the music industry in 2005 with his first professional debut album ‘Moksha’. He became known in the Nepali music scene through the folk-modern fusion song ‘Fewatalma Sainli’ from the same album. Since then, many of his songs such as ‘Pilayo Sathi Le’, ‘Dherai Choti Mare Ma Ta’, ‘Kaha Thiyau Timi’, ‘Kya Dami Bho’, ‘Aansuko Artha’, and ‘Dhokebaj Hau Timi’ have become hits. Shiva, who has also sung playback for many films, is a voice that continues to resonate in the hearts of audiences and listeners.

The Best Modern Female Singer Award was won by Reshma Pun. She received the award for ‘Mayaka Geet’. In the modern music category, Sajja Chaulagain for ‘Kasto Nasha’, Rachana Rimal for ‘Aama’, Banika Pradhan for ‘Juni Pani’, and Smita Pradhan for ‘Halka Halka’ competed for the Best Female Singer award alongside Pun.

Singer Pun began her singing career with cover songs. In Reshma’s musical career, songs like ‘Chandrama’ by Artmandu, ‘Badalupariko Deshaima’, ‘Behuli Sang’ (Baru), ‘Shirko Phool’, and ‘Jyanai Silim Bho’ in collaboration with Shri Chamling Rai are popular. Similarly, her song ‘Kesari’ from the film ‘Kabaddi 4’ became very popular. Pun has now established herself as a prominent name in both modern and playback singing.

The Best Folk Male Singer Award was won by Arjun Sapkota. He received the award for ‘Jhaliko’. In the folk male singer category, Prakash Dutaraj for ‘Chhaina Ra Maya’, Basanta Thapa for ‘Yanimaaya’, Raju Pariyar for ‘Sani Nakhaya’, and Subash Khatri for ‘Shirma Shirbandi’ were also in competition with Sapkota.

Born in Syangja and raised in Nawalparasi, Sapkota was inspired by the musical environment of his uncle and renowned folk singer Yagya Sapkota. In 2013, at just 14 years old, he debuted in music by recording his first song ‘Ratilai Sathi Jun Chha’. His professional breakthrough as a singer and composer came in 2019 with the folk song ‘Banki Chari’, prepared in collaboration with Devi Gharti Magar.

Since then, he has released many popular songs in the Nepali folk market such as ‘Baschau Alakkai’, ‘Jhaliko’, ‘Pachyauri Lisyo’, ‘Dui Duna Char’, ‘Dukh Sataula Sukh Sataula’, and ‘Maury Rasaima’. Arjun is currently one of the busiest and most popular young singers in Nepali folk music. Most of his songs have succeeded in joining the ‘Million Club’.

The Best Folk Female Singer Award was won by Devi Gharti Magar. She received the award for ‘Yanimaaya’. In the Best Folk Female Singer category, Shantarani Pariyar for ‘Pokhara Prithvi Chowk’, Jyoti Magar for ‘Jhyappai’, Shantishree Pariyar for ‘Manang Kotai Ma’, and Tika Pun for ‘Laita Balera Her Mayale’ were also nominated alongside her.

Born in Baglung, Devi Gharti Magar was attracted to singing from an early age by the region’s rich folk culture and the environment of Roila/Salejo. She came to Kathmandu in the early 2060s BS. Initially, she sang folk songs at Dohori Sajh venues. Her first debut song was ‘Barkha Lagechha’ (in collaboration with Amar Birahi Gurung). However, the song that established her in the folk market was ‘Oralima Batti Baleko’ (in collaboration with Ramji Khan), released around 2063 BS.

Since then, she has contributed many popular songs to the Nepali folk music scene. Her list of popular songs includes ‘Udas Chhu Ma’, ‘Jhyalma Parda Chha’, ‘Rato Pachyauri’, ‘Luki Tuki Maya Nalau’, ‘Timi Mero Hun Paenau’, ‘Ke Bhanu Ra Oiliyeko Phool Lai’, ‘Banki Chari’, among others. Nowadays, she is also the first choice for collaboration among both new and old generations of artists.

The Best Pop Female Singer Award was won by Rachana Dahal. She won the award for the song ‘Aagya’. Rachana, an outstanding singer in the Nepali pop scene, is from Jhapa. Making Kathmandu her base from a young age, she began her formal musical journey with the release of the song ‘Bhumari’ in 2019. She is popular for her exceptional writing and unique singing style. Her songs such as ‘Dagbatti’, ‘Hey Bhagwan’, ‘Soch’, ‘Sapanako Raja’, and ‘Asambhav’ artistically present many unanswered questions of society and aspects of human psychology.

The Best Pop Male Singer Award was won by Sushant KC. He received the award for ‘Ji Chhanta Matina’. Sushant KC, a popular singer, lyricist, and composer in Nepali pop and R&B music, was born in Kathmandu. Fond of playing guitar and composing his own tunes from a young age, Sushant began his formal musical journey in 2016 with the song ‘Aama’. The song that brought him to the peak of popularity in the Nepali music market was ‘Sarangi’. His songs such as ‘Bardali’, ‘Sarangi’, ‘Risaune Bhae’, ‘Jhyalbata, Mayama’, ‘Aama’, ‘Sathi’, ‘Behos’, ‘Sataera’, ‘Gulabi’, ‘Muskuraera’, and ‘Mausam’ are popular.

The Best Band Award was won by Abhaya & the Steam Engines. The band received the award for the song ‘Hey Sainla’. The vocals and composition for this song are by Abhaya Subba.

Nepal’s ‘rock star’ in the rock and alternative music scene, Subba grew up in a musical environment from childhood. Born in Darjeeling and later making Kathmandu her base, she initially laid her professional musical foundation by joining bands such as ‘Red Eves’ and ‘Parijat’.

In 2003, she established the rock band ‘Abhaya & the Steam Engines’ under her own leadership. Abhaya’s songs such as ‘Laijau Malai’, ‘Hawahuuri’, ‘Sadhainbhari’, and ‘Bansko Ghar’ are widely known. She speaks out not only through her songs but also in her own life on issues of women’s freedom and rights.