Kathmandu, Sept 6: The Madan Puraskar 2082, one of Nepal’s most prestigious literary honours, has been awarded to Traditional Mask Dances of the Newar Community, written by Veena Joshi (Rajbhandari), for documenting and archiving the traditional mask-dance heritage of the Newar community, known as Khyaapah Pyakhan.
The Madan Puraskar Guthi announced the award following its general assembly meeting held on Bhadra 21.
The Guthi has also conferred the Jagadambashree Award 2082 on veteran lyricist Kiran Kharel, who has been dedicated to Nepali songwriting for the past six decades.
A total of 298 books published in Nepali in Nepal and abroad were submitted for this year’s Madan Puraskar. Ten books were shortlisted for the ‘Madan Puraskar Shrestha Suchi 2082’, with Traditional Mask Dances of the Newar Community ultimately selected for the award.
The other shortlisted books were Ajñat by Keshav Raj Gyawali, Itha by Keshav Dahal, Utkarsha by Lalit Bista, History of Simraungadh Linked with Nepal Mandala by Roshan Kumar Shra, Paridhi by Uma Subedi, Mahayug by Seema Aabhas, Salah by Shravan Mukarung, Swasparsha by Dr. Navaraj KC and Hiund by Nadish.
At the same meeting, the Guthi expressed profound condolences to those who lost their lives in Nepal and abroad in the devastating floods and landslides of Bhadra 10. It also extended sympathy to bereaved families and wished for the early rescue of those still missing and speedy recovery of the injured. The Guthi paid tribute to all those involved in rescue and relief efforts in the affected areas.
Established in 2012 BS, the Madan Puraskar was first awarded in 2013 BS to three works: Hamro Lok Sanskriti by Satya Mohan Joshi in prose, General Bhimsen Thapa ra Tatkalin Nepal by Chittaranjan Nepali in social sciences, and Adhikavibhab Sthirbidyut Utpadak by Balaram Joshi in science.
The Jagadambashree Award was established in memory of Rani Jagadamba following her death in 2045 BS. Narayan Gopal was its first recipient.
The Madan Puraskar is awarded annually to a book published in Nepali in Nepal or abroad, while the Jagadambashree honours individuals or institutions making significant contributions to the advancement of the Nepali language, literature and culture.
