Kathmandu: The 118th birth anniversary of the great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota and a poetry reading program were grandly held under the joint organization of the International Nepali Literary Society (ANESAS) Nepal Chapter and Kageshwari Library. The program was conducted in the Kageshwari Library premises, with the full-sized statues of the great poet Devkota, the satire master Bhairav Aryal, and the story master Ramesh Bikal as witnesses.
In the literary environment of the program, Devkota’s literary contributions were remembered, and discussions were held about his personality, works, and the invaluable impact he made on Nepali literature. The program saw notable participation from literary talents of three generations, local literature enthusiasts, ANESAS officials, and representatives from various literary organizations.
The program, jointly chaired by Manjila Anil, President of ANESAS Nepal Chapter, and Kumar Khadka, President of Kageshwari Library, was attended by honorable Constituent Assembly member Rameshwar Phuyal as the chief guest, while Prof. Dr. Khagendra Luitel, former Head of the Nepali Department at Tribhuvan University, was present as the special guest. Similarly, the special guests included ANESAS’s former central president Radheshyam Lekali, central senior vice president Tara Adhikari, central secretary Rishabdev Ghimire, central member Rajendra KC, former chairperson of ANESAS Book Award Committee Gopi Upreti, vice president of ANESAS UK Chapter Maya Gurung, member of ANESAS California Chapter Vasudev Ghimire, former treasurer of Nepal Chapter Kishor Shrestha, and Suraj Khadka, ward chairman of Kageshwari Manohara Municipality Ward No. 2.
The program saw participation from various literary enthusiasts and personalities, including former president of Kageshwari Library Vishnu Prasad Phuyal, president of Abhinav Literature Society Govinda Ghimire ‘Vedmani’, Bajuram Paudel, ward member of Kageshwari Manohara Municipality Ward No. 2 Pran Nath Phuyal, social worker and teacher Rajkumar Phuyal, Achyut Pyakurel, Subhadra Phuyal, Abhikesher Wali, among others. Former president of the library Vishnu Prasad Phuyal delivered the welcome address in the notable presence of local writers, committee officers of ANeSAS Nepal Chapter, members, lifelong members, and distinguished literary figures. The program was inaugurated by the chief guest and distinguished guests by pouring water into a pot. On the occasion, garlands were offered on the life-size statues of the great poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota, storytelling maestro Ramesh Bikal, and satire maestro Bhairav Aryal as a mark of respect towards them.
Highlighting the purpose, rationale, and importance of the program, Manjila Anil, president of ANESAS Nepal Chapter, said that the main goal of the program is to bring Devkota’s literary contributions to the new generation, promote collaboration among literary organizations, and encourage local literary activities. On this occasion, around 150 books of various genres, including literature, were handed over to the Kageshwari Library on behalf of ANESAS Nepal Chapter. This act is seen as ANESAS’s significant contribution to enhancing the library’s study culture and expanding literary heritage. During the program, Kamala Risal, treasurer of ANESAS Nepal Chapter, welcomed the guests and participants by presenting lines from Mahakavi Devkota’s poems in a melodious voice. Following that, in the poetry reading session, more than 30 writers presented poems, songs, and literary works dedicated to Mahakavi Devkota.
Devkota’s multidimensional personality, human sensitivity, love for nature, national consciousness, philosophy of life, and literary heights were reflected in his works. The poets who recited his poems included Achyut Pyakurel, Saraswati Khadka, Dwarika Chalise, Sushila Acharya, Diwakar Nyaupane, Jeet Karki, Abikeshwar Oli, Rajesh Pokharel, Krishnaprasad Paudel ‘Jastaghare’, Shanti Paudel, Yogeshwar Ghorasaini, Basudev Poudyal, Ratnanidhi Regmi, Sashita Phuyal, Parvati Bhatt, Pushkar Pyakurel, Rishiram Aryal, Rajeshman KC, Rupa Risal, Kevra Bhattarai, Manila Banta, Shreekrishna Singhda, Dr. Badri Pokharel, Devaki Timalsina, Shobha Adhikari, Murari Sigdel, and Prakash Basnet ‘Gafadi’. The presentations by the participating poets made the program more lively, creative, emotional, and literary.
During the session where opinions were shared after the poetry reading, ANESAS central member Rajendra KC, central secretary Rishabhdev Ghimire, senior vice president Tara Adhikari, former central president Radheshyam Lekali, president of the Book Award Committee Gopi Upreti, president of Abhinav Sahitya Pratisthan Govind Ghimire ‘Vedmani’, and special guest Prof. Dr. Khagendra Luitel highlighted the multifaceted personality of Mahakavi Devkota, his creative abilities, literary contributions, and the lasting impact he has made on Nepalese society. The speakers noted that Devkota’s literary works are invaluable treasures of the Nepali language and literature and expressed the view that studying, preserving, and promoting his works is a shared responsibility of everyone.
Chief guest, Constituent Assembly member Honorable Rameshwar Phuyal, expressed the idea that politics and literature should not be seen separately and said that the role of writers will remain important in nation-building. Highlighting that literature guides society in the right direction as well as develops awareness, morality, and human sensitivity among citizens, he emphasized that in the country’s nation-building efforts, He said that the contributions of writers will always be memorable. Kamala Wali, Senior Vice President of ANESAS Nepal Chapter and former Commissioner of the Information Commission, expressed her gratitude to the organizing institution, guests, writers, participants, and everyone present for helping make the program successful.
The program’s president and Chair of Kageshwari Library, Kumar Khadka, concluded the event with his speech and by reading poems related to the great poet Devkota. The program was conducted by ANESAS Nepal Chapter’s General Secretary Ramesh Dahal. Dahal’s presentation was a notable aspect of the event as it went beyond just formal announcements, connecting the depth of the content, relevance of the context, and emotional expression. He linked the stages of the program with poet Devkota’s life, struggles, literary practice, creative awareness, and his contributions to Nepali society, making the program fluent and meaningful. The contributions will always be remembered.
Especially regarding questions about Devkota, Dahal naturally created a literary bridge between the sessions of poetry reading and discussions by presenting verses, philosophical views, and anecdotes related to his personality in line with time and context.
This program, held in memory of the great poet Devkota, has strengthened collaboration among literary organizations, the institutional development of libraries, promotion of reading culture, and relationships between local and national literary talents. Completed as a convergence of literature, creativity, and social awareness, the event has also delivered a meaningful message of passing down Devkota’s literary legacy to the new generation.
