9th National Inclusive Music Award (NIM Award) 2026 Concludes Grandly in Kathmandu

Organized by Power International Media Nepal (PIM Nepal) and managed by Era Production, the 9th edition of the National Inclusive Music Award (NIM Award) 2026 concluded grandly amidst a ceremony held in Kathmandu on Sunday. In the ceremony, awards, honors, and prizes were presented to artists, creators, and authors who have made significant contributions to the field of Nepali cinema and music.

The program was completed in the presence of distinguished personalities from the Nepali artistic and social sectors, under the chairmanship of veteran film director and PIM Nepal advisor Mohan Niroula, and the chief hospitality of Film Development Board Chairman Dinesh D.C.

During the ceremony, legendary singer Devika Bandana was honored with the 'Rajat Sadhana Samman 2082'. This honor was presented to Bandana, who has been active in the Nepali singing sector for a long time. In the program, senior actresses Basundhara Bhusal, Bhuwan Chand, Chait Devi, Film Development Board Chairman Dinesh D.C., and legendary artist Mohan Niroula, among others, honored Bandana by presenting her with flower garlands, khada, and a certificate of honor.

Similarly, senior lyricist Suresh Ghimire was honored with 'Bishistha Geetkar Samman 2082', Shikhar Jangam Shrestha with 'Sangeet Patrakarita Puraskar 2082', Krishnadeva Rupakheti with 'Digdarshan Sadhana Samman 2082', Maheshraj Thapa with 'Samajik Byaktitwa Samman 2082', Binod Devkota with 'Patrakarita Samman 2082', cinematographer Salikram Dulal with 'Kala Samman 2082', Deepa Thapa with 'PIM Nepal Shikshya Samman 2082', Sachin Bhattarai with 'Yuba Kalakarita Samman 2082', Ranajit Kumar Jha with 'PIM Nepal Sangeetkarmi Samman 2082', and Sunita Kunwar with 'PIM Nepal Kala Samman 2082'.

The program, chaired by Madhav Raj Kharel and coordinated by Kamala Joshi, was directed by Sanam Kathayat. The jury members of the award were Santosh Shrestha, Jugal Dangol, Bijay Ratna Tuladhar, Sahas Shakya, Prakash Mishra, Ramesh Dahal, and Asha Bhusal.

Organized with the objective of honoring music from diverse languages on a single stage, the National Inclusive Music Award (NIM Award) 2026 presented Popular, Jury, and Encouragement awards across 30 different categories. Alongside the Nepali language, songs and videos from various languages and melodies spoken in Nepal, including Bhojpuri/Maithili, Nepal Bhasa, Tamang, Tharu, and Deuda, were awarded.

Winners of NIM Award 2026:
Best National Sentiment – Puran Chhetri : Dhartiko Chhano
Best Ghazal – D.P. Khanal : Bekar
Best Pop Singing – Ananta Ajay : Ananta Darpan
Best Lyricist Male (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) – Dr. Rudranath Adhikari : Aama
Best Lyricist Female (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) – Gita Adhikari : Matoko Sugandha
Best Composer (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) – Shankar Thapa 'Smile' : Behaal
Best Singer (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) – Indra RP : Garo Launa
Best Female Singer (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) – Babita Manandhar : Kaliyugki Radha
Best New Talent Singing – Bipana Shakya : Timro Yaad
Best Lok Dohori Lyrics – Prajan Basnet : Pardesh
Best Lok Dohori Melody/Composition – Rishi Khadka : Pardeshi Huna Man Chhaina
Best Lok Dohori Singer – Sanjay Thapa Magar : Galbandi Ra Pachheuri
Best Lok Dohori Female Singer – Devi Gharti : Kholi Salala
Best Duet Singing – Sharmila Bardewa/David Shankar : Kashmir Gamcha
Best Original/Language Song – Nirmala Ghising : Janamaya (Tamang)
Best Diaspora (Creator/Artist) Composer – Jiban Sharma : Matoko Sugandha
Best Diaspora (Creator/Artist) Lyricist – Sakriya Shrestha : Garo Launa
Best Deuda Melody Song – Mahadev Bhatt : Meri Putkyauli
Best Nepal Bhasa Lyricist – Machakaji Maharjan : Wanenu Re
Best Nepal Bhasa Composer – Gujay Malakar : Jhigu Nagade
Best Nepal Bhasa Singing – Rajkumar Manandhar : Kagati Pause Chwang
Best Maithili/Bhojpuri Song – Rahman Khan : Kaile Badnaam Pagali
Best Music Video Direction – Rahul Shah : Oh Priyasi
Best Music Video Cinematographer – Rupesh Thapa : Chhaindaina Sampatti
Best Music Video Model (Male) – Aryan Sigdel : Bani
Best Music Video Model (Female) – Sristi Khadka : Pardesh
Best Music Video New Model (Female) – Upashana Pathak : Nayan
Best Music Video New Model (Female) Deuda – Sanjivani Khanal : Pirimka Khel
Best Music Video New Model (Male) – Aarav Upreti : Khelaun Khelaun
Best Nepal Bhasa Video – Ramkrishna Khadgi : Dhyawa
Best Maithili/Bhojpuri Video – Badri Sah : Gajab Ke Rog
Best Fashion Designer – Shambhu Puri : Wari Bar Pari Piplu

Towards Popular and Jury Awards:
Best Composer (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) Popular – Rajendra Bajagai : Putali
Best Lok Dohori Female Singer (Popular) – Sushma Shahi Thakuri : Daryam Daryam
Best Lyricist Male (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) Jury – Bholanath Pathak : Radhika
Best Singer (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) Jury – Ram Bhandari : Sapana Dekhai Kohi
Best Female Singer (Modern/Sugam Sangeet) Jury – Manmaya Pangenii : Saptarangi Phool
Best Music Video Direction (Jury) – Puja Thakuri : Dur Dekhi Aaye Priye
Best Music Video Model (Male) Jury – Prajwal Raj Bhatt : Dil Aafnai Thiyo
Best Music Video New Model (Female) Jury – Sapana Chhetri : Ekai Pal Pani

Towards Encouragement Awards:
Best Deuda Melody Song Singing (Encouragement) – Pramod D.G. : Rupasya Patali Suwa
Best Music Video Editor (Encouragement) – Ayusha Gautam : Charitra