An evening of Nepali poetry

The event marked the 107th birth anniversary of celebrated
poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota.
Four Nepalese organisations recently organised a poetry recital by literary talent Heman Yatri to mark the 107th birth anniversary of late poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota at Rotana Restaurant in Sanaiya.
The event was a joint collaboration of the Non Resident Nepali Association-National Coordination Council (NRNA-NCC), International Nepalese Literary Society (INLS), Nabodit Literary Society (NLS), and Sandhya Group (Muglani Saugat).
The programme was chaired by Tirtha Sangam Rai. Poet and president of INLS and Nepali national poet Haman Yatri was the guest of honour. Other guests included Ganesh Prasad Banjade and Tej Katuwal.
In all, more than 100 literary enthusiasts were entertained during the poetry recital.
Poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909-1959) is honoured among Nepalese literati as Maha Kabi, or the Great Poet. His popular books Muna Madan, Kunjini and Sakuntal are the largest selling Nepali books of all time.
Educated in English literature, Devkota translated William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” into the Nepali language. His essays, collected in Laxmi Essay Collection, are poignant in both content and expression. Devkota’s contribution to Nepali literature are Raj Kumar Prabhakar, Sulochana, Basanti, Putali, Bhikhari, Mhendu, Ravana-Jatayu Yuddha, Chhahara, Chilla Patharu, Luni, Mayabini Sashi, Maharana Pratap, Manoranjan, Nabras, Sitaharan, Dushyanta Shakuntala Bhet, Aakash Blochha, Balkusum, Chhayasanga Kura, Katak, Gaine Geet, Sunko Bihan, Bhavana Gangeya, Sundari Jarpini, Aashu, Prathimas, Prithiviraj Chauhan, Maina, Pahadi Pukar, Muthuka Thopa, Laxmi Kabita Sangraha and Laxmi Giti Sangraha.
Many of his poems focus on mundane elements of the human and the natural world. Devkota broke the traditional style of essay writing, popularising the personal and expressive style of essay writing instead of descriptive and narrative approach.
During the programme, Yatri recited about 18 poems for about three hours. He has turned the mundane stories of Nepali folks into a compelling body of words. His poems revolve around wives of migrant workers waiting for their husbands, social change, political instability in Nepal, and ethnic culture of Kirat people in the east of Nepal.
Yatri is full time poet and is active in scores of literary activities in Nepal and abroad. His collected works are published as Pahad ma Sangai Yatra (Journey through Mountains).
Raj Thapa, an amateur poet and member of the audience, said the recital was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. “I have been living here since 2009 and this is the most inspirational event I have ever participated in.”