The fifth edition of the National Music Awards was held on Thursday, marking Radio Kantipur’s 24th anniversary. The nominees for the awards were selected by assessing songs featured on the radio station from August 2021 to August 2022.

Kiran Nepali and band started the event with a harmonious sarangi (a traditional four-stringed instrument) performance. What followed was an opening speech from Kantipur Media Group (KMG) Chairman and Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya. Singers Shiva Pariyar, Shiwani Moktan, and Pradip Rodan lent their voices to the starting performances.

Seventy-five artists were nominated for awards in 15 different categories, including Best New Singer, Best National Song, Best Music Group, and Best Music Director, among others.

Best New Singer of the Year was awarded to Suraj Pandit for his song ‘Rail Ko Bato,’ whereas Hark Saud won Best Lyricist for ‘Ghumi Ghumi.’ Similarly, Hari Lamsal won Best Music Director for ‘Kharpanma Boki.’

Prakash Saput bagged the award for Best Singer: Male-Folk for ‘Pir’, and co-singer Samjhana Bhandari took home Best Singer: Female-Folk. Raj Sigdel won Best Singer: Male-Adhunik for ‘Afno Bato’, and Rachana Rimal took home Best Singer: Female-Adhunik for ‘Ajjai Pani.’

Shantiram Bhattarai won Best National Song for ‘Aja Malai Yehi Mato.’ Under the Best Band category, Anuprastha triumphed with their song ‘Samjhera Malai.’

Mahesh Kafle and Asmita Adhikari were awarded Best Duet Song for ‘Lajjawati Jhar,’ whereas Asmita Adhikari won Best Playback Singer: Female for her song ‘Babari Rang Ma.’

Ravi Oad won Best Playback Singer: Male for his song ‘A Mero Hajur’ in the movie ‘Krishna-Leela.’

Subani Moktan took home Best Pop Singer: Female for ‘Maya Ho Ki,’ and Swoopna Suman won under the male category for ‘Baacha Bhayo.’

Lastly, Sushant KC won the People’s Choice Award for ‘Risaune Bhaye’.

The event also honoured veteran director, writer, poet and lyricist Yadav Kharel with a Lifetime Achievement Award. A household name, he has recorded over 500 songs, with an experience of six decades in the music industry. Along with that, Kharel has written 16 books, directed nine movies, and produced 15 music albums.

Indian Idol winner Salman Ali also performed in the event. Between the award announcements, popular contemporary singers like Swoopna Suman, Samir Shrestha, Prakash Saput, Shankar BC and Losina Lamichhane, Raj Sigdel and Sujata Verma sang their well-known songs. Comedian Sandip Chhetri added some humour to the show, making the audience chuckle with his stand-up comedy.

The award show’s closing performance was by Sushant KC, who performed many hits, concluding with his newest release ‘Sarangi.’