KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has praised the outstanding role of musicians and singers to unite the country.

At a program organized in the President House on Monday on 96th birth anniversary of veteran musician cum singer Natikaji Shrestha, the President stated the Nepali arts and cultures as being profound in the world.

During the program organized to give away Natikaji National Music Award and Prize, President Bhandari stated that preserving the creations of veteran figures was the need of the hour while adding that Nepal was known across the world for its diverse cultures.

“Natikaji rose to prominence with the establishment of Radio Nepal. It is highly necessary to preserve the songs with national aspirations created by Natikaji,” the President said.

During the event, President Bhandari honored different personalities with letter of appreciation and cash prize.
Natikaji National Special Music Honour, 2076 was given to senior songwriters Bal Krishna Sajib and Chunamani Devkota, senior drummer Raju Agrawal, senior musicians Sunil Maskey, Raju Singh, Madan Singh Nepali and Manohar Sunam, academician Shantiram Rai and Mahesh Khadka.

Likewise, Natikaji National Music Prize, 2076 was given to singers Prashna Shakya, singer cum musician Chetan Sapkota, singer Dayaram Pandey and singer cum musician Sugam Pokharel.

Furthermore, singer Melina Rai, musician cum singer Basanta Sapkota, singer Suraj Kumar Thapa and song writer Harka Saud were honoured with Natikaji National Talent Prize, 2076.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prabat Gurung, Chancellor of Nepal Academy Ganga Prasad Upreti, Chairman of Natikaji Memorial Society Shambhujit Baskota, senior musician Prem Dhowj Pradhan, singers Kiran Kharel and Rajendra Thapa, among others were present at the program.
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