The fifth edition of the Music Khabar Teej Music Awards, organized to promote Nepal’s musical and cultural traditions associated with the Teej festival, has been successfully concluded in Kathmandu.
The award ceremony was held at Crystal Party Venue in Baneshwor, where awards were presented in 22 categories to artists and professionals contributing to Teej music.
Singer Preeti Ale won the Best Teej Song Dohori Female Singer award, while singer Khuman Adhikari received the Best Dohori Male Singer award. The duo was recognized for their song Khadhi Janelai Bol. Similarly, Pujan Kafle won the Best Original Teej Song Female Singer award for Teejko Lahar Aaunda Barilai.
Two songs, Ranihaar and Teen Bahini, achieved multiple wins at the ceremony. From Ranihaar, Kishor Thapa won Best Mixing, Shankar Thapa Smile won Best Music Composer, and Sangita Bhandari received the Jury Award for Best Teej Song Female Singer.
Likewise, Teen Bahini earned several recognitions, with Ram Krishna Bom Malla winning Best Teej Dohori Music, Bishnu Sharma receiving Best Music Video Editor, and Aarti Pariyar, Tanuja Shahi and Parvati Acharya receiving the Encouragement Award.
Krishna KC was named Best Teej Song Music Arranger, while Jerry Bhandari won the Best Choreographer award. Anjita Bishwakarma received the Best New Talent in Teej Song award for Chekyo Barai Badalule.
In the music video categories, Narayani Khatri was named Best Female Teej Song Video Model for Karnali Salal, while Bhuwan K. Pokharel won the corresponding male category for Kammar Bhachaaula. Jharana Risal and Dipsha Karki won the Best Joint Model award for Maitigharko Aangan.
Purnima Acharya won the Best New Model award for Bullet Bike, while Nishan Baniya received the Best Teej Song Video Director award for Karmai Khoti Chha. Devraj Acharya won Best Teej Song Video Cinematographer for Saune Jhari.
Other major winners included Geeta B.K., who received an award for Yo Teejma, and Rita Burlakoti and Samiksha Adhikari, who won Best Joint Vocal Performance for Naach Chhamchhami. Krishna Lamichhane won Best Teej Dohori Lyrics for Yo Teejma.
In the original Teej song lyrics categories, Sarita Ghimire won for Naachau Na Chhamchhami, while Bipin Kiran received the award for Naach Chhamchham. Chandani Shakya won Best Teej Song Female Singer for Teej Aayo.
In the diaspora categories, Dr. Anitara Ranjitkar won Best Teej Song Diaspora Lyricist for Naachau Na Sangini, while Sharadadevi Adhikari received the Jury Award for Diaspora Song for Chhakkai Pariyo.
Usha Malaha won Best Teej Song for Chattai Parera, while Hamal Music was named Best Music Company for its work on Chekyo Barai Badalule. Deepak Sharma was named Popular Music Composer of the Year for Naurati Phuli.
In the jury categories, Sunil KC won the Original Teej Song Lyrics award for Karmai Khoti Chha. Radha Hamal Baniya received the Teej Dohori Female Singer Jury Award for Chari Bhaye Ta, while Bipin Acharya won the Music Arranger Jury Award for Naachau Na Chhamchhami.
Singer Asha Budha received the Public Choice Award for Bullet Bike. The Encouragement Award for New Female Singer went to Uma Shrestha for Rato Sari, while Rameshraj Bhandari received the Encouragement Award in the music composer category for Relimai Ghumaula Phiraula.
The ceremony also honored women who have made significant contributions to different sectors of society. Senior singers Yashoda Parajuli and Tika Pun received the Artist of Nepal Nari Ratna Samman. Kamala Risal was honored with the Artist of Nepal Literature Award, while actress Nancy Khadka received the Artist of Nepal Filmmaker Award.
Other honorees included Sojana Lohar for art journalism, fashion designer Kajal Sharma for fashion, Sheetal Sharma and Anita Kunwar for national singing, Srishti Ghimire for choreography, actress and mountaineer Chhiring Sherpa for art, and Jayanta Adhikari and Anju Pariyar for social service. Legal professional Kamalawali was honored with the Artist of Nepal National Service Award.
The event was presented by Artist of Nepal and organized by Shubhakamana Media Solution. Renowned singer Meera Rana attended the ceremony as the chief guest, while award organizing committee chair Sabita Pokharel presided over the event.
The ceremony was attended by prominent artists, musicians, journalists and cultural personalities, including Mohan Niraula, Madan Das Shrestha, Basanta Bityasi Thapa, Chandra Sharma, Chandramani Gautam, Devika Bandana, Shantipriya, Dabbu Chhetri, Ganesh Parajuli, Santosh Shrestha, Bharat Bamjan, Soni Karanjit and tattoo artist Sunita Kunwar.
Singer Preeti Ale and singer Khuman Adhikari also performed during the ceremony.
