Celebration of 161st Moti Jayanti 2026
Date: Sep 11th, 2026
Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya Wins Valley-wide Inter-School Ghajal Singing Competition: Chief Guest Tilak Singh Pela Captivates Audience with His Acclaimed Ghazal “Ke Lat Basyo Malai”
Valley-wide Inter-School Ghazal Singing Competition was observed on the occasion of 161st Moti Jayanti at DAV Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati School on September 10. Organised by Devkota Nepali Club and Nepali Department, the programme paid tribute to the legendary poet Motiram Bhatta and sought to nurture students’ love for ghazals, bringing schools together through music and literature.
Valley-wide Inter-School Ghazal Singing Competition was observed on the occasion of 161st Moti Jayanti at DAV Sushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati School on September 10. Organised by Devkota Nepali Club and Nepali Department, the programme paid tribute to the legendary poet Motiram Bhatta and sought to nurture students’ love for ghazals, bringing schools together through music and literature.
Students from ten schools across the valley participated in the competition, filling the hall with soulful melodies and heartfelt expressions. The participating schools were Adarsha Vidya Mandir, Nirvana Academy, St. Mary’s Secondary School, Bageshwari Madhyamik Vidyalaya, Bijeshwari Gyan Mandir Sainik Mahavidyalaya, Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya, K.M.C. Secondary School, United Academy, Kanjirowa National Secondary School and Nepal APF School. Grade IX students Swastika Shah and Neha Sharma were the moderator of the programme and the judges were Mr. Purushottam Rijal, Sanskrit HOD; Mr. Dambar Bikel, Nepali Teacher; renowned music composer Mr. Raju Singh; and music teachers Mr. Ramhari Poudel and Mr. Bibek Thapa.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the national anthem, followed by a special non-competitive ghazal performance by DAV student Pragyan Adhikari and the competitive round. The presence of distinguished guests added warmth and inspiration to the occasion. Chief Guest and renowned musician Mr. Tilak Singh Pela expressed his appreciation for the school’s effort to honour Motiram Bhatta and promote ghazal culture among young learners. He spoke about the history and distinctive character of ghazals and encouraged students to choose simple, melodious compositions in the competition. He delighted the audience by singing a snippet of his acclaimed ghazal, “Ke Lat Basyo Malai”, creating a memorable moment for everyone present.
School Chairperson and Special Guest Shree Anil Kedia extended a warm welcome and gratitude to all participants, guests, and music enthusiasts gathered for the event. Emphasizing the nature of ghazal singing, he shared that those who sing ghazals are never truly alone, as music fills human life with positivity and hope. He noted that music is an integral part of life that transcends all boundaries, domains, and regions. Describing music as the ultimate expression of the mind, heart, and soul, he asserted that it connects everyone universally. Towards the end of his address, he touched the hearts of the audience by singing the classic ghazal rendition, "Hum To Hai Pardes Mein."
Programme Chair Mr. Ramchandra Khanal, in his vote of thanks, paid tribute to Motiram Bhatta for his pioneering contribution to Nepali ghazal literature and expressed sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, participating schools, contestants, judges, organisers and supporters for making the event meaningful and successful.
Likewise, Mr. Narayan Khatiwada, Head of the Nepali Department, shared that the Inter-School Ghazal Singing Programme is the first of its kind in the country and that DAV School has been organising it for the past decade. Due to time constraints, only ten schools could be included in this year’s competition, with participation offered on a first-come, first-served basis. He sincerely remembered the schools that could not be accommodated and expressed his regret for their absence. He extended his best wishes to all the participating schools and contestants and hoped that the programme would continue to strengthen the love for ghazal, music and Nepali literature among young learners.
Judge Mr. Raju Singh appreciated the dedication of the young performers and emphasised that music demands regular practice, discipline and passion. He also encouraged students to remain curious, read widely and continue learning.
In the final results, Sylvia Prajapati of Grade X, Sainik Awasiya Vidyalaya, secured first place with “Ke Lat Basyo Malai”. Garima Adhikari of Grade VII, Bijeshwari Gyan Mandir Sainik Mahavidyalaya, won second place with “Jadu Tuna”, while Sanidhya Koirala of Grade X, United Academy, secured third place with “Ma Chandrama Hu”. Sauri Ghimire of Grade VII, St. Mary’s Secondary School, received the Melodious Singing Award for “U Jitera Gai”, while Arnab Ratna Tuladhar of Grade VI, Nirvana Academy, was honoured with the Outstanding Performance Award for “Na Birse Timilai”. In the same trait, all the participating Schools were honoured with Certificate of Participation immediately after the programme.
According to the Club In-charge Ms. Sita Niraula, the celebration was more than a competition; it was a heartfelt meeting of young voices, music and literature. Through the timeless beauty of ghazals, the students paid homage to Motiram Bhatta.
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