Bina Joshi Receives Madan Puraskar, Kiran Kharel Honoured with Jagadamba Shree Award

Lalitpur — The Madan Puraskar Guthi has presented the Madan Puraskar and Jagadamba Shree Award for the year 2082 BS. Guthi Chairman Kunda Dixit presented the awards to the recipients at a ceremony held in Lalitpur on Sunday, Ashoj 25, 2083 BS.

Writer Bina Joshi (Rajbhandari) received the Madan Puraskar for her book Newar Samudayaka Paramparagat Mukundonach (Traditional Mask Dances of the Newar Community), while lyricist Kiran Kharel, who has been active in songwriting since 2014 BS, was honoured with the Jagadamba Shree Award.

Each award carries a cash prize of Rs. 400,000.

The Madan Puraskar Guthi has traditionally presented the Madan Puraskar, established in 2012 BS, and the Jagadamba Shree Award, established in 2045 BS, annually on Ghatasthapana, the first day of the Dashain festival.

Award Recipients Share Their Views

Madan Puraskar recipient Bina Joshi expressed confidence that her 1,400-page book would serve as an authoritative reference for teachers, scholars, practitioners, and researchers of Nepali art and culture.

She said the recognition had entrusted her with the responsibility of bringing endangered indigenous traditions, valuable dances, musical instruments, and their underlying philosophies into academic discussions among younger generations.

Similarly, Jagadamba Shree recipient Kiran Kharel described songs as the heartbeat of the human heart.

"A songwriter creates a song just as a mother gives birth to a child. The composer nurtures and adorns it, and the singer gives it a voice. This is how a song comes into existence," he said.

Scholarly Address Highlights Social and Cultural Concerns

Delivering a scholarly address at the ceremony, Bipulendra Chakrabarti said the painful story of the relationship between the thinking of Nepal's people and the changing condition of its land had become a harsh reality of national life, requiring serious reflection.

He mentioned that certain incidents, including those in Kaptanganj, Sunsari, had brought embarrassment to Nepal internationally.

However, he emphasized that Nepali society and culture had long embraced equality and inclusion in pursuit of human compassion and welfare, overcoming divisions such as Arya and non-Arya, Shakta and Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shaiva, and Buddhist and Sanatani traditions.

The award ceremony was conducted by Sudha Ojha, a teacher at Rato Bangala School.

The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Guthi Vice-Chairperson Kalpana Parajuli.

Madan Puraskar 2082: Top 10 Shortlisted Books

A total of 298 books were submitted for the Madan Puraskar for the year 2082 BS. Of these, the following 10 books were selected for the shortlist:

1. Agyat — Keshav Raj Gyawali

2. Itha — Keshav Dahal

3. Utkarsha — Lalit Bista

4. Nepalmandalsanga Jodiyeko Simraungadhko Itihas — Roshan Kumar Jha

5. Newar Samudayaka Paramparagat Mukundonach — Bina Joshi (Rajbhandari) — Award-winning book

6. Paridhi — Uma Subedi

7. Mahayug — Seema Aabhas

8. Salah — Shrawan Mukarung

9. Swasparsha — Dr. Navaraj KC

10. Hiund — Nadish