Harrisburg, 10 July
Triveni Sahitya Manch observed 211st birth anniversary of the first Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Monday. The event featured the presentation of literary creations and cultural events by participants dressed in cultural attires of different communities. The Manch’s chairperson Keshav Bairagai Maila chaired the session graced as Chief Guest by social worker Tek Bahadur Gurung. The event was anchored by the Manch’s secretary Sudama. Khem Rizal, the secretary of Bhutan Sahitya Parishad attended the event as a special invitee. Bishnu Luintel, the advisor of the Manch shed light on the life and contributions of poet Acharya.
Singer and writer Om Gurung, singers Tankanath Upadhyaya, Amrita Sharma, Sarita Sunuwar, Kunti Gurung, Antara Upadhyaya, Gunzan Upadhyaya and Saugat Timilsina presented musical performances.
Poet Prem Khanal read a poem in Sanskrit while others, including Narad Pokharel and Mahendra Adhikari read their creations in English. Poet BB Yonjan Tamang presented his poem in Tamang language, while Suraj Budhathoki, Madhu Ghimire, Mira Adhikari, Basudha Rizal read their poems in Nepali. Singers Basudha Rizal and Indushri Chauhan recited portions from Bhanubhakta’s Ramayana. Child artists Ridam and Riya Rizal read their poems and thrilled the audience. On this occasion, the organizers felicitated social worker Tek Bahadur Gurung, singer and writer Tunganath Upadhyaya and Devi Dahal (Dagane) with citation in honor of their commendable contributions.
Technical members of the Manch Mr. Prem Niraula, Mr. Parshu Adhikari, Kumar Sivakoti as well as Bhutan Khabar provided full support while the co-treasurer Sriparam Adhikari oversaw the reception and refreshment for the guests. Vice-Chairman of the Manch Prem Ghimire welcomed the guests and addressed the gathering. Treasurer Mahendra Adhikari chanted verses from the scriptures and launched the event. Chief Advisor Narad Adhikari played the role of the repertoire.
The local government representative Tom Coloney, Khem Adhikari, Dr. Ramesh Khadka, Ratan Gurung, Tej Mishra, DB Rai, KB Chauhan and others attended the event.
Chief Guest TB Gurung, in his speech said, we can use literature to connect as many people as possible. Expressing his thankfulness to the Manch for felicitating him, he said the honor made him feel more responsible. He also urged the Manch to use literature as a threat to integrate people from different communities, ethnicities, linguistic and cultural groups, and thus contribute to the development of art and literature. He said, we should march united, instead of working as faction in the field of literature. Expressing his bliss on being able to listen to literary creations of different languages, he said he was thankful to everyone, and expressed his willingness to witness better and more inclusive events in the days to come.