Anurag Elected Chairman of Lyricist Foundation, Aarju Honored with Lyricist Award

Pokhara,November 2. Anurag Adhikari has been unanimously selected as the Chairman of the Lyricist Foundation, Nepal.

Adhikari was unanimously elected to head the new working committee during the Foundation's Fifth General Assembly and Third Convention, held in Pokhara on Saturday.

The committee also unanimously selected Lal Karki 'Anjaan' as Vice-Chairman, Rupindra Prabhawi as Secretary, Adarsha Pokhrel as Treasurer, and Birsana Basnet as Joint Secretary. The members selected are Rajaram Paudel, Suraj Upadhyay, Resham Rachak, Jamuna Paudel Baral, and Ganeshraj Sadashankar.

The General Assembly, chaired by Foundation President Shital Giri, approved the progress report and the financial report. The election board, comprising lyricist Saraswati Shrestha 'Saru' as coordinator and Premraj Adhikari and Resham Giri as members, announced the new working committee.

On the same occasion, the Foundation presented the Lyricist Award 2082 to lyricist Aarju Bishta 'Salyani'. The honor, which includes a cash prize of Rs. 5,555, a certificate of honor, and a shawl (dosalla), was handed over to Bishta by former Chancellor of the Nepal Sangeet Tatha Natya Pragya Pratisthan, Sarubhakta, along with poet and lyricist Ramesh Shrestha and the Foundation's Founding Chairman, Harihar Khaniya, among others.

During the event, Sarubhakta stressed that no singer should consider themselves the be-all and end-all, forgetting the lyricist—the creator of the song.

He added that lyricists should not harbor any resentment, even if they feel unappreciated, stating that a lyricist is like a mother: a mother remains a mother, whether acknowledged or not. Sarubhakta suggested the Foundation publish a historical record of lyrical literature, noting that honoring a talented lyricist like Aarju also honors the institution itself.

Honored lyricist Bishta shared that an obstacle he faced while pursuing a singing career gave him the opportunity to focus on being a lyricist. He expressed that the award has filled him with enthusiasm to do more work in the field of music, even though he is a person who generally avoids the limelight. Bishta, who is also a media person, is known for popular songs such as Jit Matrai Kaha Ho Ra..., Jhyamma Jhyamma..., and Thokinda Thokaima.... About 300 of his songs have been recorded, and he has released two solo albums, Sagar and Jhyamma Jhyamma.

Lyricist and 'Bimbakavi' Ramesh Shrestha, former award recipient lyricist Saraswati Shrestha 'Saru', and President of the Nepali Lekhak Sangh, Gandaki Province, Dr. Ishwarmani Adhikari, among others, offered their best wishes.

Bishta was selected for the honor based on the recommendation of the Talent Selection Committee, which was coordinated by the Foundation's Founding Chairman, Harihar Khaniya, and included lyricist Saraswati Shrestha 'Saru' and Suraj Upadhyay as members, with President Shital Giri and Secretary Rupindra Prabhawi as ex-officio members.

The award, which is presented every two years to Nepali lyricists for their contribution to the field of songwriting, has previously been received by Prakat Pageni 'Shiv', Shital Kadambini, and Saraswati Shrestha 'Saru'.