Kantipur Radio is turning 28, a milestone age where most humans are questioning their life choices, nursing lower back pain, and wondering why they ever left the comfort of their parents' basement. To celebrate this grand survival in an industry fueled by fleeting attention spans, they are throwing the 8th annual ‘Xtreme Energy Drink Presents National Music Awards’ on July 10, 2026.
Because nothing says "timeless art and cultural preservation" quite like a corporate sponsor that promises to give you wings but mostly just gives you severe heart palpitations. It is a beautiful synergy: the music makes you cry, and the energy drink ensures you stay awake all night to overthink why you're crying.
The Poets Who Suffer (And Make Us Suffer Too)
The battle for Best Lyricist is shaping up to be a masterclass in emotional devastation. We have Raju Babu Shrestha asking the clouds questions in 'Jharile Katai', while Pratima Gurung balances astronomical confusion in 'Na June Sake Na Mama'. Meanwhile, Manoj Bhandari’s 'Antim Raat' sounds like a final text message sent to an ex at 3:00 AM, and Puskar Pant’s 'Lakhau Lakh Patak' reminds us exactly how many times we’ve regretted checking our bank accounts. There is a shimmering hope here, though—if these brilliant minds can spin their existential dread into award-nominated art, maybe there is a chance for the rest of us to monetize our daily breakdowns too.
Masters of the Melody (Or How to Induce an Earworm)
In the Best Music Director category, the nominees are weaponizing chords to manipulate our tear ducts. Bajan Raj Shivakoti, Gaire Suresh, and the legendary Nhyoo Bajracharya are all vying to see who can compose the perfect soundtrack for staring dramatically out of a rain-soaked bus window. They face stiff competition from Reshma Pun and Kabindra Tamang. These are the geniuses responsible for melodies that will get stuck in your head for three business days, entirely replacing important information like your Wi-Fi password or your mother's birthday.
Playback Royalty and the Magic of Lip-Syncing
The Playback categories are a fierce battlefield of vocal gymnastics. For the females, Rachana Rimal and Samikshya Adhikari are leading the charge, proving that Nepali cinema would essentially just be silent acting without them. On the gentlemen's side, John Chamling Rai and Pushpan Pradhan are ready to prove that men can, in fact, express feelings—provided those feelings are written by someone else and recorded in a soundproof studio. It gives us optimism for the future; if cinema can survive the apocalypse, these voices will be the ones singing over the credits.
The Modernists and the Folklore Protectors
The Adhunik and Lok categories bring the real drama. Shiva Pariyar is out here hurting feelings with 'Timi Arkaiko Bhaiokyou', while Rajesh Payal Rai keeps the night alive with 'Harek Raat'. On the folk front, Jyoti Magar and Prakash Dutraj are reminding us of our roots, ensuring that even if the world collapses into a dystopian wasteland, we will still know how to properly dance at a rodhi house. It is the ultimate display of cultural resilience, wrapped in sequins and high-definition audio.
Event Details
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Event Name: 8th Xtreme Energy Drink Presents National Music Awards
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Host: Kantipur Radio (On their 28th Anniversary)
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Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
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Venue: The Plaza, Lalitpur
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Streaming: Live-streamed across all Kantipur Media Group (KMG) platforms
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Ticketing Partners: kantipurevents.com and eSewa