Rama Adhikari, TGT
Kathmandu, Jan 31
Poet and critic Mahesh Karki Kshitiz has brought out his first collection of poems, Eklo Maharathi. The collection was launched in Kathmandu on Saturday amidst a public program organized at Nepal Academy, Kamaladi. In the event chaired by senior poet writer and novelist Bhuwan Hari Sigdel, the anthology was launched by the poets’ parents Lal Babadur Karki and Chandra Maya Karki, together with poets Pushkar Lohani and Momila, and critics Raj Kumar Baniya and Mahesh Paudyal.
In the launch, critic Raj Kumar Baniya identified Kshitz’s stylistics of infusing narrative elements into the body of his verses as a postmodern trait. He applauded the poet for letting rustic and mythical allusions pervade most of his poems. Critic Mahesh Paudyal commended the poet for refraining from judgmental infusions, and for letting verses express exclusively through the personas invented. Poet Momila underscored the philosophical undertone in Kshitiz’s verses, and appreciated the beautiful countryside imageries he masters in.
In the event, poets Dr. Nabaraj Lamsal, Jyoti Jungle, Mani Lohani and Prajjwal Adhikari recited one poem each.
Speaking on the occasion, poet Karki revealed his long-term connection with poetry. He confessed that his formative years in the countryside inspired him go poetic, and his collection is an answer to his home calling. Chair Bhuwan Hari Sigdel stressed on the need for more and more aphoristic writing, especially poetry, while Pushpa Raj Poudel, the chief of Shikha Publication, promised to give continuity to the publication of quality materials in the days to come.