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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

How a radio tradition became Nepal’s biggest music celebration

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Kantipur FM in Nepal pioneered paying artists for airplay in 1998, laying the groundwork for the National Music Awards.
  • The awards evolved from an airtime-based recognition to a formal ceremony with categories and a jury process in 2018.
  • The National Music Awards, revived after a pandemic hiatus, continues to support and celebrate the Nepali music industry.

What began as a modest initiative by Kantipur FM in 1995, initially borrowing airtime on state-run Radio Nepal, has blossomed into Nepal's premier music celebration: the National Music Awards.

At the time, it was three rupees per broadcast, then it rose to ten, and now it's fifteen. Five for the singer, five for the musician and five for the composer.

— Paramananda KhanalDescribing the initial payments made to artists for airplay.

The station's groundbreaking move in 1998 to pay artists for airplay, starting with a mere three rupees per broadcast and now at fifteen, planted the seed for this now-esteemed award ceremony. Initially, the "Music Honours" program from 1998 to 2004 recognized songs based solely on airtime frequency, without juries or ballots. "Whichever song was repeated the most on the radio was selected accordingly," explains Paramananda Khanal, Admin/HR head at KMG.

Whichever song was repeated the most on the radio was selected accordingly.

— Paramananda KhanalExplaining the selection process for early 'Music Honours' awards based solely on airtime.

The format transformed significantly in 2018, aligning with the 20th anniversary of Radio Kantipur. It evolved into a formal award ceremony featuring distinct categories, nominees, and a rigorous two-stage jury process. "We do not play any role in this process to avoid bias," Khanal emphasizes, highlighting the commitment to impartiality.

We do not play any role in this process to avoid bias.

— Paramananda KhanalStating the station's non-involvement in the jury process for the modern award format.

After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the National Music Awards returned, showcasing 75 nominations across 15 categories. The Lifetime Achievement Award, a marquee moment, was presented to veteran Kuman Basnet. The awards continue to be a vital effort "to add to the growth of the Nepali music industry," as stated in a 2018 press release, underscoring music's direct alignment with the radio station's core assets and popularity.

Music is directly aligned with the radio’s source and assets. Since its profit and popularity are generated by music itself, amplifying this sector is our duty. Therefore, the National Music Award is an effort to add to the growth of the Nepali music industry.

— Press ReleaseExplaining the rationale behind the National Music Awards in 2018.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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