Sahitya Academy holds literary prog in Kalimpong

PRADIP LOHAGUN

KALIMPONG

5 Oct 2013

Sahitya Academy, New Delhi in association with Nepali Sahitya Addhayan Samity, Kalimpong today held a literary function called ‘Aankhijhaylbata’ where Academy coordinator Prem Pradhan said the day’s literature is being strongly influenced by the statehood agitation. He said, “There is still a lot to be done by the Sahitya Academy. It has drawn up several activities to develop Nepali literature. However, our future activities will be determined by the course taken by the statehood agitation.”

Pradhan noted the support the Academy has provided to the agitation. “The Academy is not controlled by Kolkata now; we have separated from Kolkata and the Academy is functioning directly under Delhi. This tells success for our literary struggle,” he said.

The coordinator added the Academy is gearing up to host literature seminars and a workshop on post colonial Nepali literature soon.

The programme held to encourage people in the field of literature saw noted story writers Ratna Fuyal, Sanjay Bista and Indramani Darnal reading their stories, while several poets from Darjeeling and Kalimpong participated in poetry recitation.

Emerging Darjeeling-based poets Monica Mukhia, Saran Muskan, Jogen Darnal, Nirmala Pradhan and others recited their poems, with Gyanu Sutar, Sudhir Chettri, Prativa Kumai, TN Subedi, Samsher Ali, Tika Bhai, Pradip Lohagun and Lalita Sharma from Kalimpong also taking part.

Kalimpong MLA Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri, Nepali Sahitya Addhayan Samiti President MB Pradhan, Academy member Arun Chakrabarti and others were the special guests of the day. Before reciting a poem in English, Dr. Chettri spoke about the field of story writing. He claimed there are many stories in Nepali literature that are capable of winning the Booker Prize and urged upcoming writers to look into writing stories about the perplex and unique problems being faced by the Nepali/Gorkha society of India.