Dinesh Gautam bagged the first prize of the Inter-Regional Open Modern Music competition held in Surket this week. The competition was organised to mark the 67th establishment anniversary of Radio Nepal, the country’s national radio station. 

During the event, Gautam, who sang the song Bayan Ke Garu by Mahendra Pratap Giri, beat 23 other contestants to win the title. Gautam walked away with a cash purse of Rs 10, 000. 

Meanwhile, Surket’s Anshu Singh and Banke’s Arjun Pun Magar stood at second and third position, respectively. 

The winners were selected by an adjudication panel comprising Pabitra Garti Magar, professor at Nepal Academy of Music and Drama; Prem Dev Giri, senior Instrumentalist and folk music collector; and veteran composer Bhim Bhadur Karki.  The country’s oldest and the only state-owned radio station, Radio Nepal, has been organising open music competitions since the year 1965.