Gita Adhikari Honored with ‘Natikaji National Art Journalism Award 2081’

KATHMANDU. Art journalist and lyricist Gita Adhikari has been presented with the Natikaji National Art Journalism Award. During a special ceremony held at the Presidential Residence, Shital Niwas, on Friday, Honorable President Ram Chandra Paudel presented Adhikari with the ‘Natikaji National Art Journalism Award 2081’. Adhikari was honored along with a cash prize. She has been active in the field of film journalism for over two decades and is associated with the Himalaya Times National Daily and Milap National Monthly magazine.

In the ceremony, the ‘Natikaji National Distinguished Music Honor’ was presented to lyricists Narayan Kumar Acharya, Sabu Gadal Karki, and Birendra Pathak. The ‘Natikaji National Special Music Honor’ was awarded to Shashi Gurung, Ganesh Parajuli, Jujukaji Ranjit, Ashta Lama, Dr. Bhimarjun Acharya, and Nirwan Singh Gurung.

Additionally, the ‘Natikaji National Music Award’ was presented to Manoj Khadka, Roshan Gurung, Taraprakash Limbu, Sarita Shahi, Chand Sin, and Maheshwarman Rajbhandari, while the recipients of the ‘Natikaji New Talent Award’ included Bipana Tamang, Sahima Shrestha, and Suresh Lama.

Similarly, the Natikaji National Classical Music Award was presented to Pramod Upadhyay, while the ‘Natikaji National Art Journalism Award’ was presented to Ananta Wagle alongside Adhikari.

Shambhujeet Baskota, Chairperson of the Natikaji Memorial Society, mentioned that Natikaji used music not just as a means of entertainment but as a powerful medium for raising social awareness. Chairperson Baskota stated that this society, established in memory of the legendary figure of Nepali music, Sangeet Maharshi Natikaji Shrestha, has been presenting such honors every year for the recognition and encouragement of creators.

During the program, the honored and awarded artists performed popular songs of the late Natikaji live.