The Padmashree Award which was announced last month was handed over to its awardee, Nawaraj Parajuli, for his anthology of poems—Sagarmatha ko Gahirahi, amid a function held at Russian Culture Centre in the Capital on Thursday. At the event, the Padmashree Sadhana Award was handed over jointly to Rochak Ghimire and Nagendraraj Sharma as well. 

Khemkala-Harikala Lamichhane Foundation, which presides over the annual literary award, had shortlisted five books—Kahar by Janakraj Sapkota, Ghatmandu by Kumar Nagarkoti, Chhaughar by Raj Sargam, Rolpa Suyeha by Nabin Bibhas, and Sagarmatha ko Gahirahi by Nawaraj Parajuli—for this year’s award. Sagarmatha ko Gahirahi, a poetry anthology with 36 poems, is Parajuli’s first book. The poems in the book cover an array of themes ranging from social issues and politics to philosophy and love. Parajuli, who ventured out into poetry with Slam Poetry, is also the winner of the All Nepal Poetry Slam 2014, and the recipient of Saatako Sahitya Puraskar. He is also active in Kathmandu’s theatre scene and performance arts.  

“It’s really a great honour to recieve such a prestigious award. Awards like these are really good for exposure and recognition as it helps new writers like me reach a wider audience,” author Parajuli had said upon receiving the award, “But when it comes to highest honour for a writer, I think for me it will always be my connection with the readers. For me, if the readers can relate to my poems and feel the emotions that I put into my work, there is no bigger honour than that.” 

Along with the award, Parajuli received a cash purse of Rs 200,000. 

Chirharan by author Neelam Karki ‘Niharika’ had bagged the Padmashree award last year.