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The 15th edition of the Bindabasini Music Awards held at the Rastriya Nach Ghar featured awards in 17 competitive categories, five special honors, and 10 musical performances.

Folk singer Arjun Sapkota bagged the Best Folk Singer (Male) award for his song ‘Basyau Alakkai’, while lyricist Santosh Sapkota won the Jury Award for Best Song for ‘Dukha Satmala’, marking some of the major highlights. The song ‘Jun Maya’ was declared the Best Song of the year. In the Sugam Sangeet (contemporary music) category, Raj Singdel won Best Male Singer for ‘Hridayama’, Usha Gajurel was awarded Best Female Singer for ‘Mausam Aaula’, Shridhar Adhikari bagged Best Music Composer for ‘Chhau Ni Timi Aaha’, while Baikuntha Mahat and Benisha Poudel won Best Duet for ‘Pirim Gadi’. Binod Shrestha and Usha Subedi were honored as Best Model Duo for the song ‘Bidaai 2’.

In other folk categories, Kabita Khatri received Best Folk Singer (Female) for ‘Namaste Dhogdiyaa’, Khem Pun was awarded for Best Folk Tune with ‘Marne Sui Laideu’, Narayan Gyawali received Best Folk Lyrics for ‘Kanya Rashi’, and Nishan Baniya won Best Folk Video Director for ‘Bhagyamai Runa Lekheko’. 

Bishal Ghimire won Best Modern Video Director for ‘Meri Bathi Maya’, Amrit Chapagain won Best Video Editor for ‘Mayalu’, and Pawan Susling was honored as Best Cinematographer for ‘Mayalai Panko Paat’. Prem Sapkota Sonu received the New Singing Talent Award for ‘Aru Ta Ke Bhanu Mayalu’. Juna Bishwakarma received the Public Choice Award for ‘Maya Aune Bus’, while Anil Poudel won the Popular Song Award for the same track.

Jury Awards were also presented during the ceremony. Smriti Timilsina won Best Director for ‘Nepalma Rail Kahile Aaulaan’, Sanjay Devkota was awarded Best Male Singer for ‘Kura Bujhideu’, while Bikram Budhathoki and Elina Rayamajhi received the Best Acting Duo award for ‘Hare Maile Mayama’. Khem Century was honored as Best Music Composer for ‘Tallo Bato’.

The 15th Bindabasini Music Awards 2081 has announced its top five nominations across various categories, honoring excellence in Nepali music. In the Best Lok Dohori Singer (Male) category, the nominees are Kushal Belbase for Feriyau Mayalu, Arjun Sapkota for Basyau Alakkai, Subash Khatri for Timrai Maya Chha, Chetan Gautam for Haseko Photo, and Mahesh Kumar for Badhai Chha Baimani. Similarly, the Best Lok Dohori Song category includes Kanya Rashi by Narayan Gyawali, Feriyau Mayalu by Shiva Subedi, Dukha Satamla by Santosh Sapkota, Ma Ta Marne Ho by Anish Dhawadi, and Hiyarai by Binod Bajurali.

In the Best Lok Dohori Music category, Prasad Lamichhane’s Bhagyama Rahechha, Arjun Sapkota’s Basyau Alakkai, Mukunda Poudel’s Hulaki, Khem Pun’s Marne Sui Laideu, and Khem Century’s Tallo Bato have made it to the nominations list. Likewise, the Best Modern Music category features Chhau Ni Timi Aaha by Shreedhar Adhikari, Yeuta Majhi by Saroj Koirala, Yo Chhoto Jindagi by Dipakraj Bishwakarma, Ma Kholiko Bagar by CL Sharma, and Rimai Sailee by Nayan Sharma.

In addition to celebrating new and popular talents, the awards also recognize individuals who have made lifelong contributions to Nepali music and culture. This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Rajendra Thapa. Sangeeta Shakya will receive the Sangeet Sadhana Samman, Shirish Devkota will be honored with the Jhalakman Lok Sangeet Samman, Nisha Deshar will be recognized with the Premdhoj Sangeet Ratna Samman, and Sharada Thapa will be awarded the Kala Patrakarita Samman. The Bindabasini Music Awards continue to stand as a prestigious platform that uplifts and honors the rich musical heritage of Nepal.

Singers Arjun Sapkota and Samjhana Bhandari have released their latest song, ‘Kyari Bhulam Mero Man’. The song’s official music video premiered on Samjhana Bhandari’s YouTube channel on Thursday morning. The song captures the emotions of love and heartbreak, with lyrics penned by Santosh Sapkota. Arjun Sapkota has composed the music, while HBN Kismat handled the arrangement.

The music video features Sapkota and Sarita Dhungana in lead roles. Speaking about the initial response, Arjun shared that the song has been gaining traction on TikTok and receiving positive feedback on YouTube. Directed by Bishal Ghimire, the video is shot by Buddha Thapa and edited by Anish Mahat. Since its release on Feb 27, the song has garnered over 400,000 views.

The filming of ‘Pahad’, directed by veteran filmmaker Tulsi Ghimire, has resumed after being temporarily halted due to his health issues. The shooting, which began on Feb 4 with a formal inauguration, was paused from the second day following Ghimire’s illness. After his recovery, the production resumed on Feb 21 in Gorkha as per the pre-planned schedule.

According to Ghimire, who is also the writer of the film, ‘Pahad’ portrays the harsh realities of depopulated mountain regions due to youth migration, along with the social and economic consequences it brings. “The film captures the story of uninhabited highlands, depicting our responsibilities and the country’s needs. We have carefully selected actors to align with the theme, and I am excited to work with talents from both the old and new generations,” he said.

Now back on set, Ghimire expressed his enthusiasm for the project with renewed energy. The film is produced by Ojaswi KC, while Pramod Pradhan handles cinematography. Pradhan, who has previously worked on films, web series, and television productions in India, collaborated with Ghimire in Anyaya, Koseli, Chino, and Dakshina. After 30 years, Pradhan has returned to Nepal for this film project.

The filming schedule includes 25 days in Gorkha and surrounding areas, followed by 15 days in India, according to Ghimire. Under the Bhagyaratna Films banner, the movie features a star-studded cast, including Bipin Karki, Sunil Thapa, Madan Krishna Shrestha, Renunath Yogi, Arun Kshetri, Ravindra Singh Baniya, and Salona Bajracharya.

A special highlight of ‘Pahad’ is the debut of Panchami Ghimire, the director’s youngest daughter, in a lead acting role. Additionally, his eldest daughter, Bhavana Ghimire, serves as the film’s production designer.

The movie’s technical team includes Ranjit Gazmer as the music director and Bharati Ghimire as the creative director. Rimpoche Lama Thing and Suresh Lama Thing are co-producers, while the film’s Nepal distribution will be handled by Venkatesh Entertainment, and Seven Seas International Films will manage its international release. Royal Bhimsen and Trident Concept are responsible for publicity design.

Following his last directorial venture, Darpan Chhaya 2, Ghimire had taken a brief hiatus from filmmaking. ‘Pahad’ marks his much-awaited comeback as a director.