Mantra is easily Darjeeling’s most globally recognised rock band in the Nepali music world, but locally, they were only recognised on Saturday, 22 years after it had been formed. Mantra bagged the Music Darjeeling Award in the category of most popular song of 2020 and band members said it was the first such recognition from Darjeeling, a place known for singers and musicians.

Bhaskar Dewan, vocalist, of the band said: “I would like to thank Baisnaavi Production for instituting this award. Just a month ago, we were talking that while we had received numerous awards at other places, we were yet to receive any award from Darjeeling.”

The band has criss-crossed continents — from South Korea to England to Australia — for performance and bagged seven awards from Nepal and one from Sikkim. “So far, we have cut four albums (all of which are hits),” said Pragya Lama, lead guitarists, Mantra. They have come up with some of the most famous Nepali rock songs but the lack of recognition at their hometown, many believe, is a sad commentary on the state of affairs in Darjeeling.

“We wanted to start this music award in 2013 but the situation was not conducive (there was a general strike for over a month as part of Gorkhaland agitation), local channels were closed for a year and we could not go ahead with our plans,” said Binay Shankar, general secretary of the award organising committee.

There were four categories in the Music Darjeeling Award and the winners in their respective categories are celebrities in their own rights in the Nepali music world.

Anmol Gurung, 31-year old director of Nepali film Appa, a movie which took the Nepali industry by storm in 2019, bagged the best music video award, while Bimochana Lomzel, who shot to fame with her exploits in reality shows in India and Nepal, was recognised as the best newcomer singer of 2020.

“We also posthumously conferred the lifetime achievement award on Late Vikram Subba, who was among the first from the region to set up a recording studio and a band, Diamonds,” said Aditya Raya, director, Baisnaavi Productions.

Anmol, who has worked with superstars from Nepal like Daya Hang Subba, said: “Any award is special but to receive an award from Darjeeling is even more special given its standing and contribution to the industry.”

The significance of the award ceremony in Darjeeling on Saturday found reflection in Anmol’s speech at the award function. “We are determined to organise the Music Darjeeling Award every year,” said Raya.