TGT Correspondent
Sauraha, Feb 21
Poet RP Gaunle of Tehrathum District has been declared first in Kavidanda National Poetry Competition, organized by Kavidanda Literary Society. In the recital round organized alongside the Society’s eighteenth foundation day celebration held at Hotel Jungle Safari Lodge, Sauraha, Chitawan on Saturday, poet Gaunle was chosen for the award for his poem “Seto Tanna”. Niraj Dahal of Jhapa and Ashmita Paudel of Baglung were declared first and second runners up for their poems “Bhakari” and “Premko Indreni” respectively. The winners of the first three positions were awarded sums of 15160, 10160 and 7510 rupees respectively, together with citations. Top ten finalists had recited their poems in the event.
Chaired by the Society’s chair LB Chhetri, the event was graced by senior poet and cultural expert Tulasi Diwasa as the Chief Guest. Ms. Meena Lamichhane, the chair of Meena Lamichhane Trust that sponsors Dev-Khina Literary Award had a special presence in the event. Uday Adhikari, the vice chairman of the Society, outlined the foundational and performative history of the Society and the process of its functioning during his welcome address. In line with its tradition, the Society conferred Kavidanda National Honor to senior poets Gopal Parajuli and Kunta Sharma while Dev-Khina Literary Award was conferred on Chitawan-based writer and critic Gayatri Shrestha. Essayist Ram Babu Ghimire was honored with Kavidanda Avinashi Best Book Award, while novelist Bhuwan Dhungana was honored with Kavidanda National Fiction Award for the year 2020-21 for her novel “Parityakta”.
Poet and Critic Mahesh Paudyal, who attended the inaugural session as its key-note speaker foregrounded episodes and nature of experimentation in literature with special reference in poetry. Mr Paudyal said, experimentations per se do not last or become trendsetters, if they do not have a justifiable ground, and cannot win the endorsement of a community or group. He highlighted several experimental initiatives that wither settled as trendsetters, or were wiped out for want of logical justifications.
One of the core features of the event was a panel discussion on “Poetry: Degree of Invention and Continuity” moderated by popular critic and literary journalist Raj Kumar Baniya. The panelists were senior poet Tirtha Shrestha, poet and essayist Momila, poet and journalist Thakur Belbase, poet and novelist Bhupeen, and poet Suman Ghimire Barsha. The panelists stressed on the need for departures and shifts for giving poetry a renewed direction, though they were unanimous in endorsing the partial influence of the tradition in every inventive adventure in poetry.
The final attraction of the entire event was poetry recital that featured renowned poets Tulasi Diwas, Govinda Raj Binodi, Bhuwan Dhungana, Gopal Parajuli, Kunta Sharma, LB Chhetri, Dinesh Adhikari, Dhanraj Giri, Momila, Sabita Gautam Dahal, Nimesh Nikhil, Bhupeen, Ishwar Kandel, Mani Lohani, Surendra Astafal, Thakur Belbase, Mani Aryal, Tika Aatreya, Ganesh Shraman, Suman Ghimire Barsha, Mahesh Karki Kshitiz, Sharad Ritu, Manoz Bishwakarma and others. Suman Ghimire, the executive member of the Society, delivered the vote of thanks.
The Society’s chair LB Chhetri announced the organization’s decision to organize National Essay Symposium, together with an essay competition and discussion, to mark its 19th Foundation Day next year. He also announced the establishment of a literary award for young writers of age below forty from the upcoming year.