This year’s National Kalashree Felicitation has been conferred to veteran writer and analyst Basudev Tripathi in honour of his contributions to the Nepali language, literature and culture. The award is given annually by Nepali Kala Sahitya dot com. Cultural expert Satyamohan Joshi presented Dr Tripathy with the award amid a programme held in Bhrikutimandap in the Capital.

Similarly, the National Kalashree Award was handed over to author Maya Thakuri. While, Sasidhi National Kalashree Yuva Puraskar, established by writer Momila Joshi and Ishwor Joshi to commemorate their parents, was given to journalist Mani Lohani. Likewise, the Badri National Kalashree Journalism Award was given to journalist and poet Mohan Duwal. Joshi handed over cash purses of Rs 100,000, 50,000, and 25,000 to Thakuri, Lohani, and Duwal, respectively.

At the event, a short documentary video celebrating Tripathy’s work was also screened. While Mahesh Paudel shed light on the personalities and background of all the awarded individuals. He also mentioned that Tripathy’s contributions to Nepali literature were “unfathomable.”

Cultural expert Joshi, speaking at the event, applauded the award organisers, but mentioned that “such initiatives should have come from the government’s side.” He also encouraged the organisers to come up with more brilliant works of translations like they have been doing.