The National Open Duet Folk Song Competition is taking place in Pokhara from today onward. The Kalyan Sherchan Memorial Foundation Nepal which was established to protect folk culture and identity is hosting the competition. The competition will last on July 30 Saturday). As many as 46 groups are participating in the competition across the country and necessary preparation to this effect has been done, it was shared at a press conference held in Pokhara on Wednesday. According to Foundation Secretary and programme coordinator Jeewan Dahal, the first winning group in the competition will receive an award of Rs 600,000 which is so far the biggest prize in folk song competition in Nepal. Likewise, the second, third and consolation award winning groups will get cash prize of Rs 400,000, Rs 200,000 and Rs 100,000, respectively. In the competition, the best male and female singers each will receive Rs 50,000 while the disciplined team will also get cash prize of equal amount. The programme is expected to generate an income of Rs 5.5 million and spend Rs 3.95 million, the hosts shared. Foundation Chairperson Captain Purna Bahadur Gurung Hyalmo said the competition was hosted to commemorate contributions of creative folk singer Sherchan. The objective of the competition is to build a Nepali folk band museum in Pokhara, Gurung shared. —-RSS