GTA Honours Hill Talents in Literature, Theatre, and Music with Prestigious Awards

Menuka Pradhan

KalimNews, Darjeeling, January 13, 2025 : On Monday, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) recognized outstanding contributions in literature, theatre, and music at a special ceremony held at the Garidhura Rangashala Bhawan in Kurseong. The event, organized jointly by the GTA's Information and Culture Department and the Nepali Akademi, was a celebration of local talent in these cultural fields.

The awards were presented to individuals who have significantly contributed to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the community's language, literature, and arts. 

GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of such contributions for the survival and future of the community. "They are our pride, and their contributions form the cornerstones of preserving our language, literature, art, and music. These achievements will become our history, and the pride of our race. Future generations will read about our history, and the impact on our language and arts will grow as a result," Thapa stated.

Deep Waiba

The awardees for 2024 were Lhamu Tsehring Bhutia from Kalimpong, who received the Chujang Dukpa Smriti Pursakar for her contributions to music, Deep Waiba from Darjeeling, honoured with the Aruna Lama Smriti Pursakar for music, Menuka Pradhan from Darjeeling, who was awarded the Shiv Kumar Rai Pursakar for her work in theatre, and Chandrakumar Pradhan from Mirik, who received the Giri Pursakar for his achievements in literature.

Each awardee was presented with a cash award of Rs. 50,000, a memento, and a shawl in recognition of their exceptional work.

Additionally, the Information and Cultural Department of GTA has announced the introduction of two new awards starting next year: the Haimandas Rai Award and the M.M. Gurung Award. The announcement was warmly welcomed by the Sajha Sahitya Sanrakshan Sanstha, a literary preservation organization based in Gorubathan, particularly for the Haimandas Rai Award, which will be presented in memory of Haimandas Rai "Kirat," a renowned writer from Gorubathan. Kirat, who made significant contributions to Nepali literature, wrote and published various books, including novels, stories, and poems, from the 1950s to the 1970s through his own publishing house, Nav Yug Pustak Mandir. 

Lhamu Tsehring Bhutia

Kirat received the Rashtrapati Sikshak Award in 1994 and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2008 for his outstanding contribution to Nepali literature, especially for his work Kehi Namileka Rekhaharu. He was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration for his exceptional contributions to Nepali literature.

M.M. Gurung, a prominent Indian Nepali writer and essayist, is best known for his work Birsieko Sanskriti, for which he received the Sahitya Akademi Award. He gained widespread recognition with his short story collection Tista Bagchha Sadhai Jasto. Gurung served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Sahitya Akademi and as the coordinator of the Nepali Advisory Council.

These awards highlight the region's dedication to honouring and preserving the cultural and artistic legacies of its people, ensuring that the contributions of these talented individuals will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.