Writer Veena Joshi (Rajbhandari) received the Madan Puraskar for 2082 BS for her book on the traditional Mukundonach dance of the Newar community at a ceremony in Kathmandu on Sunday. At the same event, Madan Puraskar Guthi chair Kunda Dixit presented the Jagadamba-Shree Samman to lyricist Kiran Kharel.
Joshi’s book selected from 298 titles
The Guthi’s general assembly, held on Bhadra 21, selected Joshi’s work from among 298 books published in 2082 BS. The award recognises her book’s focus on Mukundonach, a traditional dance associated with the Newar community.
The selection followed consideration of the books published during the year, with Joshi’s work ultimately chosen for the Madan Puraskar. The award was formally presented at Sunday’s Kathmandu ceremony. The information released about the award identifies the book’s subject but does not specify its title.
Kharel receives Jagadamba-Shree
The ceremony also honoured lyricist Kiran Kharel with the Jagadamba-Shree Samman. Dixit, in his capacity as chair of the Madan Puraskar Guthi, conferred the recognition on Kharel during the same programme.
The two awards went to recipients working in different areas of Nepal’s literary and cultural life: Joshi for a book documenting a traditional dance, and Kharel for his work as a lyricist. The Guthi’s announcement placed both honours within the same ceremony in Kathmandu.
Award decision and presentation
The timing of the decision and the presentation are distinct parts of the award process. The Guthi’s general assembly on Bhadra 21 selected Joshi’s book from the 298 titles published in 2082 BS; the public presentation took place on Sunday. The ceremony brought the selected writer and the Jagadamba-Shree recipient together for the formal conferral of the honours.
Joshi’s recognition draws attention to a book centred on Mukundonach, a traditional Newar dance. Kharel’s recognition acknowledges him as a lyricist. The available announcement did not provide further details about the book’s contents, Kharel’s body of work, or the selection criteria used by the assembly.
