POKHARA: Prem BK of Baglung has won the title of ‘First Gandaki Loktara’, a provincial-level folk singing competition organized by the National Folk and Duet Song Foundation, Gandaki Province Committee.
BK secured the top position by outperforming 17 other finalists in the grand finale held in Pokhara on Saturday. Along with the title, he received a cash prize of Rs 51,111.
Shila Gurung of Syangja secured second place and won Rs 31,111, while Bijay Pariyar of Myagdi placed third and received Rs 21,111. Dilip Manandhar received the consolation prize of Rs 11,111.
The Best Voice award went to Pawan Singh Pariyar of Gorkha. In addition to the cash prizes, the top three winners will be given the opportunity to record a song free of cost, according to Rajan Karki, Chairperson of the Foundation’s Gandaki Province Working Committee.
The competition was organized with the goal of promoting folk music and discovering new talent. A total of 18 contestants reached the finals after being selected through district-level auditions held in nine districts of Gandaki Province, excluding Mustang and Manang.
The judging panel included well-known folk singers Durga Rayamajhi, Purushottam Neupane, and others.
The event was organized to mark World Music Day, and was the first large-scale provincial folk singing competition hosted by the Gandaki Province Working Committee.
The competition was officially inaugurated by Bindu Kumar Thapa, Minister for Social Development, Youth and Sports of the Gandaki Province Government.
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