Jara Foundation

A team of Nepali writers returned home Monday, after concluding Nepal-India Poetic Conclave held on 16 April at Bijanbari Darjeeling. The team that visited the birthplace of Parijat in Lingiya, a remote hamlet in an old tea-estate in Darjeeling, returned after a dashing performance of poetry together with their counterparts from Darjeeling and Sikkim. Also dotted by musical and dance performances, the Conclave featured seventeen poets from India and Nepal. Organized by Jara Foundation of Nepal and hosted by Bijanbari-based Pratibha Prerana Parishad and Sikkim-based Chiya Kavita, the event was the first international literary event ever organized in Bijanbari.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest Matrika Pokharal, member of the Academic Council of Nepal Academy said, he has been stunned by the sameness of cultures he has spotted during his visits to all the Nepali inhabiting areas in India. He said the contribution of Darjeeling and Sikkim in the enrichment of Nepali literature, language and culture has always been commendable. Veteran Indian poet Man Prasad Subba, who was the Chair of the event said, this was the first time Bijanbari was hosting such an international literary event. He also urged for a serious revision of the history of Indian Nepali literature.
Krishna Prasai, Chairperson of Jara Foundation promised, the Foundation will continue to organize such international events to bring together authors and artists from Nepal, India and other countries.
Nepali critic Mahesh Paudyal outlined the contribution of Darjeeling and Sikkim Hills in enriching Nepali literature and culture. Tracing the history back to the days of organic connectivity through folk music, he remembered Leela Lekhan, Testro Aayam, Kinara Lekhan, Sadam Kavita Samooha, Bichalan Lekhan, Chiya Kavita, Samaveshi Lekhan and Hastakshep as dimensions originally added by Sikkim and Darjeeling to the treasury of Nepali literature. He however observed that the hills are yet to discover a medium of expression that belongs to the people of margin, and yet, can serve as a medium of literary expression.
Poets from Nepal, Darjeeling and Sikkim, reciting their poems in the Conclave include Man Prasad Subba, Krishna Prasai, Matrika Pokharel, Prabin Rai Jumeli, Sudha M Rai, Tika Atreya, Abir Khaling, Lila Anamol, Sharada Stefi, Nimesh Subba Kikaru, Dipa Rai, Ambar Lachikathi Gurung, Bhupendra Subba, Bikash Aley Thapa, Prabin Khaling, Mahesh Dahal and Mahesh Paudyal. Singers Khem Subba and Sharad Stefi presented their musical numbers, while dancer Rushali presented a dance.