Kathmandu, July 4 -- The story starts small.

In 1995 (2052), Kantipur FM was borrowing three hours a day on the state-run Radio Nepal. In 1998 (2055), it launched its own frequency at 96.1 MHz, and within the following year, it did something that no one had previously formalised: paying artists for airplay.

"At the time, it was three rupees per broadcast, then it rose to ten, and now it's fifteen," says Paramananda Khanal, Admin/HR head at KMG. "Five for the singer, five for the musician and five for the composer."

The system planted the seed for what would become one of the most celebrated award ceremonies. From 1998 to 2004 (2055 to 2060), the station ran an annual programme called 'Music Honours' to celebrate these artists, with liv...