June 30, 2026 
Kathmandu: The 13th Music Khabar Music Awards 2082 concluded successfully in Kathmandu, celebrating excellence in Nepali music while honoring veteran artists and encouraging emerging talents. Organized under the slogan “Honoring the seniors, encouraging the juniors,” the annual event was held at Baluwatar, recognizing winners across 33 competitive categories.
The ceremony was presented by Music Khabar and organized by Shubhakamana Media Solution under the chairmanship of award advisor Radheshyam Lekali. Nepal’s former Vice President Parmananda Jha attended as the chief guest alongside prominent personalities from the country’s music and film industries.
Veteran composer Shambhujit Baskota received the prestigious Music Khabar Lifetime Achievement Award 2082 for his decades-long contribution to Nepali music. He was honored with a certificate, a traditional shawl, and a cash prize of Rs. 51,000. Singer Tika Prasain paid tribute to Baskota with a special musical performance.
Renowned lyricist Unnati Shila Bohara was presented with the Music Khabar Shabda Shila Special Honor in recognition of her 35 years of contribution to music and literature, while senior lyricist Bijaya Shivakoti received the Music Khabar Silver Music Honor for more than 25 years of service to the Nepali music industry.
The Music Khabar Decade Music Honor was awarded to popular singer Shiva Pariyar and singer Kalika Roka Magar. Lyricists Purushottam Sanu and Sushila Poudel received the Young Music Honor, while US-based lyricist Pushpa Khanal was honored with the Diaspora Music Award.
Music journalism honors were presented to journalists Kuber Giri and Gopi Krishna Chapagain, each receiving a cash prize of Rs. 5,555. Young performer Yunish Ghimire received the Child Talent Award, while singer Nita Acharya was recognized with the Diaspora Singing Honor. Dr. Ranjit Jha received the Music Contributor Award, and journalist Uday Raj Sharma was honored for his technical contribution to media.
Among the competitive awards, Prabin Bedwal and Sarika Ghimire were named Best Male and Female Modern Singers for their songs Hridayama and Gun Bhulyau, respectively. Lyricist Dambar Yakso won Best Modern Lyricist for Muskan Chhaina Aaja, while Shankar Thapa Smile earned Best Music Composer for Mera Surharu.
In the pop category, Robin Shrestha and Ashra Kunwar won Best Male and Female Pop Vocalist, while Arjun Pokharel was named Best Pop Composer.
In the film music category, Suraj Pandit and Jhuma Limbu won Best Playback Singer awards for songs from the films Laj Sharanam and Unko Sweater. Thaneshwor Gautam was recognized as Best Film Composer, while Yubaraj Kafle received the Best Film Lyricist award.
The folk music section honored Arjun Sapkota and Laxmi Acharya as Best Folk Singers, while actor Paul Shah and model Narayani Khatri won Best Folk Music Video Model awards.
The event also featured musical performances by Paul Shah, Narayani Khatri, Tika Prasain, Dewan Khanal, Dhiraj Rai, Yunish Ghimire, and several other artists, making the evening a grand celebration of Nepali music.
