The 4th Annual Hits FM Music Awards

FROM ISSUE # 64 (April 2001) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Like everything else even music, in Nepal, has come of age. Being a witness to the recently held 4th Annual Hits FM Music Awards 2057, it's a proven fact that Nepalese music will receive the much deserved recognition, for their struggles. It won't be long before we can break our entry into the international music scene. We might even find our talented musicians nominated in award ceremonies like the Grammys. Who knows! What's the harm in dreaming? All we require is a little bit of patience and a whole lot of passion.

Love for music survives on passion, that's how icons are born and that's what gives rise to inspiration for the rest. All the contemporary artists that were nominated for the Hits FM Music Awards - Jems Pradhan, Nima Rumba, Nabin Bhattarai, Reema Gurung, Raju Lama, Ram Krishna Dhakal (just to name a few) have, one time or the other, sung praises of renowned musicians like Narayan Gopal, Aruna Lama, Ambar Gurung, Gopal Yonzan, Deep Shrestha, Kunti Moktan, Arun Thapa.

It's interesting enough that Reema Gurung and Kunti Moktan were nominated for the same category, Best Female Vocal Performance. And it was re-assuring to know that the juniors haven't forgotten the immense contribution made by their senior counterparts, towards Nepali music. And thus Reema Gurung's surprise when she emerged a winner in that category. She expressed her gratitude for having won the award despite tough competition. Her humility surpassed even the glitter of the silver statue.

For some time music enthusiasts had doubts. No one would be able to replace the fine musicians of our glorious past, and with the demise of Arun Thapa, the future of Nepalese music did seem a little bleak. But there's no cause for concern because in our midst is still the very dynamic Deep Shrestha, who has broken the silence of almost a decade with the finest album of recent times - Dhristi. An ode to his daughter, Dhristi walked away with the Album Of The Year. It was definitely his night as he managed to sweep three of the most coveted awards, including Best Male Vocal Performance and Record Of The Year.

With the young musicians getting a place in the sun, the older and more experienced are being appreciated for their timeless and tireless contribution to the Nepali music industry. This year it was 74-year-old, composer, lyricist, singer, Nati Kaji Shrestha who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. It was in the year 1948, 53 years back, when he recorded his first song. And now in 2001, he has yet again been reminded that his passion, his love for music hasn't gone to waste after all. The hall reverberated with claps while everyone gave Nati Kaji a standing ovation, one that comes out of respect and utter admiration.

It was a historic moment when Kshettra Pratap Adhikari won the silver statue for Song Of The Year. Jindagi Ma Dherai Kura Garna Baaki Chha was a song he wrote keeping Narayan Gopal in mind but unfortunately the lyrics didn't find a tune. It remained incomplete due to Narayan Gopal's death. Not knowing who to turn to, after that, he met Gopal Yonzan (a good friend of the deceased) and it was agreed upon that Gopal Yonzan would sing the song, with a slight change in the title - it was now called Narayan Gopal Prati Samarpit. But call it fate, call it ill-luck, the lyrics still remained without a voice as yet another renowned musician passed away. By now Kshettra Pratap Adhikari became a bit skeptical and wondered if he was ever going to find a voice for his words. He had thought of Aruna Lama but before he could pursue the matter, she was no more. This was getting stranger than fiction and so he laid the lyrics to rest, until Ram Krishna Dhakal visited his home, one fine day. So the man who's known to be Narayan Gopal's prodigy gave a voice to the lyrics, that almost lay dormant - it does seem like destiny was just waiting to play her part.

The entire award ceremony, was a pleasure to watch - the finesse, the professionalism, the music - as you must have watched it live on NTV (10th March ) or heard it on 91.2. If you didn't then maybe, from next year onwards, you would like to make your own little contribution by watching it and hence supporting the Recording Industry that has grown in leaps and bounds, in the coming years. Now musicians can choose not to go to Calcutta and have their albums recorded right here in Kathmandu, without having to compromise with quality. And that's the sole purpose of Hits Nepal Pvt. Ltd. Their efforts are commendable and their contribution will help preserve Nepali music for generations to come, long after we are gone.

The Winners:
Best New Artist - Eli Sherpa
Best Performance By A Group Or Duo With Vocal - Madhyanha
Best Vocal Collaboration - Uday/Manila Sotang
Best Pop Male Vocal Performance - Nabin K Bhattarai
Best Pop Female Vocal Performance - Kunti Moktan
Best Male Vocal Performance/Record Of The Year - Deep Shrestha
Album Of The Year - Dhristi (Deep Shrestha)
Best Female Vocal Performance - Reema Gurung
Lifetime Achievement Award - Nati Kaji Shrestha
Best Song Originally Recorded For A Motion Picture Soundtrack - Ranjit Gajmer (Darpan Chhaya)
Song Of The Year - Kshettra Pratap Adhikari