Rama Adhikari, TGT
Kathmandu, April 4
At the invitation of Namobuddha Municipality and Roshi Wangmaya Pratisthan, Karve, several poets from different parts of Nepal convened at Bhakundebensi and shared their creation with their counterparts in Kavre. The recital was the culmination of a two-day event that started with sightseeing at different historical locations in the district, including the ancient town of Dapcha, the construction site of Roshi Wangmaya Pratisthan’s office building at Bhakunde and Kanpur, the ancestral place of storywriter Guru Prasad Mainali.
Chaired by Mr. TP Sharma Timlasina, Mayor of Namobuddha Municipality, the inaugural session of the conference two-day event was graced by poet, storywriter and literary activist Mr. LB Chhetri as the Chief Guest. Rajan Poudel, the chief administrative officer at the Municipality welcomed the guests and informed the visitors about the Municipality’s commitment to promote art and literature, especially those pertaining to Kavre District with utmost priority. Speaking at the keynote speaker, poet and critic Mahesh Paudyal said poetry, like dance, should the capacity to have total effect, both on the poet as well as on the audience. He said, the poets today have more responsibility as artists, because they face the challenge to pick up fragmented and messed up language from everywhere and weave them into poetry.
Speaking from the chair of the special invitee, General Manager of Nepal Television, poet, journalist, dramatist and filmmaker Mr. Phoolman Bal said there was more need to turn to local forms and content of art, including the exploration and forgrounding of local myths and artforms, instead of being hegemonized by Western forms. He drew the audience’s attention towards the artistic richness of the local communities, and iterated his interest in performing plays based on Kavre’s local stories, like those pertaining to the myth of Namobuddha, in the days to come. He also recited his poem.
Chief Guest Mr. Chhetri appreciated the initiative of an elected body in promoting art and literature and thanked the Mayor Mr. Sharma for conceiving a commendable idea. Thanking the delegates and invitees, the Mayor promised to convert his Municipality into an Art Centre and do all he can to promote literature and culture.
The second session, chaired by poet Momila, consisted of poetry recital. The visiting poets who read their poems were LB Chhetri, Pratik Dhakal, Sneha Saymi, Laxmi Upreti, Momila, Thakur Belbase, Sabita Guatam Dahal, Dr. Ashok Thapa, Anita Lama, Rama Adhikari, Niraj Dahal and Anil Khatiwada. Kavre-based poets Janardan Rijal, Rajan Poudel, Govinda Kadel Aanshu, Hari Krishna Silwal, Tara Sunuwar, Ram Chandra Poudel and others also read their poems and ghazals.
Placing his reflective remarks on the recited poems, poet and essayist Pratik Dhakal said poetry is a serious art and should never be taken for granted. He also urged the Municipality to do its best to promote local cultural icons, myths and legends. Poet Momila underscored the bliss brought home by generosity, and highlighted the need to archive human achievement through creations for ensuring their permanent existence.
Poet and lyricist Govinda Kadel Aanshu coordinated the entire event.
