On the vibrantly lit stage of this year’s ‘Xtreme Energy Drink Presents National Music Awards’, pulsating beats, dazzling lights, and applause merged into an evening of memorable performances that brought together the most celebrated names in the Nepali Music Industry.

As performers, guests and fans gathered at The Plaza in Lalitpur on Friday, anticipation and excitement filled the venue as the show kicked off at 3 pm. The programme was broadcast live nationwide on Kantipur TV and Kantipur Max.

From the opening lights to the final bow, the night carried a remarkable energy with a palpable buzz in the crowd.

Several veteran and emerging artists, including Neer Shah, Abhaya Subba, Bhuvan KC, Keki Adhikari, Kunti Moktan, and Buddhi Pradhan, were present at the show to celebrate the evening dedicated to Nepali music.

Guiding viewers through the performances, Prajwol Khadka and Mahima — from Radio Kantipur anchored the evening as hosts, keeping the energy high between performances and award segments.

Followed by the national anthem, the night’s first live performance by Deepak Bajracharya and The Rhythm Band immediately set an electric tone for the evening. With songs such as ‘Mayako Dorile’, ‘Man Magan’, and dance performances of Lakhey and Jhakri, the band brought two of the most powerful cultural icons on stage. For the audience, dancing along was almost entirely irresistible.

Continuing the event’s legacy, 16 awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, were presented to honour emerging talent, writers, and producers. Gradually, anticipation built for the first award of the night.

Among the nominations, Dileshwar Pariyar took home the Best New Artist for ‘Mutu Jaley Pachi’, stepping into the spotlight with warm applause from the crowd. Narayan Kumar Acharya was named the Best Lyricist for ‘Sunchhau Malai Kasam’, and subsequently, Nhyoo Bajracharya was named the Best Music Director for ‘Kasto Nasha’, reassuring that every contribution behind a song is valued.

Sammriddhi Rai, with her dynamic and powerful energy, entered the stage with the buoyant group of contemporary dancers. Performing her songs ‘Tarera Karnali’ and ‘Rockstar’, while projecting her music videos onto the stage screen, Rai’s presence was uplifting.

Snapping back to the award distribution, Best Lok Singer Female Award was given to Devi Gharti Magar for ‘Yanimaya’, and Arjun Sapkota received Best Lok Singer Male for ‘Jhaliko’.

VZN then took the stage for the night's Xtreme Performance segment with his songs ‘Basanti’ and ‘Uttaulli’, which lived up to the show’s high-energy branding, full of pounding rhythms and synchronised visuals.

Jhuma Limbu was named Best Playback Singer Female for ‘Kafle’, and John Chamling Rai took home Best Playback Singer Male for ‘Maya Garnu La’, reminding the audience how significantly playback singers shape the emotional core of Nepali

Ujan Shakya and his band Wo: Emerge continued the momentum, leaning into rhythm and crowd interaction with his iconic Newa songs, drawing on the folklore of Taleju Bhawani. His song ‘Kumari’, adorned with the melodies of the flute and madal, followed by the funky, seemingly nostalgic beats of ‘Maicha’ and the all-too-familiar echoes of ‘Baby’, filled the audience with wonder. As the rhythms echoed through the venue, the crowd’s energy was carried into the next segment of the show.

Subsequently, Rachana Dahal won Best Pop Singer Female for ‘Aagya’, while Sushant KC bagged Best Pop Singer Male for ‘Ji Chanta Matina’. Abhaya and the Steam Engines was named Best Band for ‘Hey Saila’, recognising the chemistry and consistency that come from years of performing together.

Comedy duo Prabhat Lama and Karma Sing Lama stepped in to lighten the mood. Their interlude drew genuine laughs from the crowd, inviting a change of pace in the programme. With quirky remarks, Prabhat Lama entered the stage as Muna Madan Shrestha, and Karma Singh Lama followed, impersonating the famous ‘Kavreli Samdhi’, eagerly wanting to win an award.

A dialogue following Samdhi’s dream of becoming just as famous as the band John and the Locals, Prabhat Lama’s rebuttal, “Oh, so I have to transfer the boiler to local,” brought a loud, hearty laugh from the audience. The comic performance concluded with a meaningful exchange between the two, which uncovered the impact of Artificial Intelligence on creativity.

Recognition continued with the Adhunik and R&B/HipHop categories, spotlighting some of the more contemporary corners of the industry. Shiva Pariyar won Best Adhunik Singer—Male for ‘Timi Arkaiko Bhaisakyau’, and Reshma Pun took home Best Adhunik Singer—Female for ‘Maya Ka Geet’, and Ujan Shakya or ‘Baby’ was named Best R&B/Hip-Hop Singer.

The event’s most anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the veteran actor, director, and lyricist Neer Shah, honouring his journey with a tribute video that traced his career across cinema, composition, direction, and production, silver-lined by his poetry recitation and reminiscing about his mother. He stepped onto the stage to a standing ovation, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and a purse of Rs100,000.

A tribute medley was performed by Salina BK, Shiva Pariar, and Yaman Shrestha, honouring Shah’s presence in the industry. With songs including ‘Parkhi Basey Aaula’, the stage carried a sense of reverence, paying homage to the awardee's perseverance in the music and cinema industries.

Making history with two consecutive awards, Ujan Shakya won the People’s Choice Award, a fitting nod to an artist whose popularity has only grown. “This award isn’t just mine; it is for my entire team,” Shakya said while inviting his team on the stage to collectively receive the award.

Finally, yet importantly, John Chamling Rai was named Xtreme Energetic Performer of the Year. Rai, too, made history by receiving two of the most anticipated awards at the awards ceremony. While receiving both awards, Rai brought his band onto the stage, sharing every high and low leading to this moment of hard-earned recognition.

Immediately after receiving the awards, the band, John and The Locals, presented one of the evening's most celebrated performances, blending styles and voices. Their songs ‘Maya Garnu La’, ‘Ko Cha Ra Timilai’, ‘Nihita’ brought every audience on edge, with the captivating charm compelling them to capture the moment on their phones.

Right after the electric performance by John and The Locals, the twenty-six-year-old Mantra Band, all the way from Darjeeling, brought their signature energy to the stage as they delivered a set full of driving rhythms and crowd-pleasing hooks with songs such as ‘Bir Gorkhali’, ‘Sadhai Sadhai’.

At the end, as the winners were celebrated and the thriving Nepali Music Industry as a whole was recognised, it was evident that the Xtreme Energy Drink Presents Radio Kantipur National Music Awards 2082 had delivered a night to remember.