English.Sahityapost
Kathmandu, March 24
The ‘Kavidanda National Seminar on Drama Discussion 2080’, organized by Kavidanda Literature Society, Chitwan was successfully held in the capital on Saturday, March 23. The program, hosted by Sarwanam Theatre, was a platform for a vibrant literary discussion on Nepali drama including panel discussion, book launch, felicitation and drama performance. Noted playwrights, poets, writers and critics had attended the event.
The program, presided over by the Society’s chairperson LB Chettri, featured Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi as the chief guest. Distinguished literary figures like Ashesh Malla, Prof. Laxman Gautam, Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Pokharel , Devi Prasad Subedi, Mahesh Paudyal, Dr. Ashok Thapa, Momila and Amar Neupane were also among the guest attendees.
While delivering a welcome speech, vice chairperson of Kavidada Literature Society Uday Adhikari raised serious issues regarding the unavailability and inaccessibility of written dramas in the recent days.
The program was commenced with lighting the lamp by the chief guest of the event.
Poet and critic Mahesh Paudyal, the keynote speaker, centered his discussion on the relevance and potency of drama. He regarded drama as a powerful genre that incorporates all other genres, despite being less written. He stated, “The impact, and its response are so instant in drama that, it often fulfills its immediate objectives.” Paudyal also referenced classical plays like Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Sophocles’ Antigone, and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata to illustrate how the mainstream plays demonstrated their rebellious nature and deconstructed the grand narratives.
During the event, senior playwright Mana Bahadur Mukhiya was honoured with ‘Kavidanda Rastriya Samman 2080’ along with a cash prize of 10,000 rupees. Mukhiya also shared his insights and experience of writing drama with the audience. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Sabitri Kashyapati’s book ‘Bachit Avibenjana’ related to drama, was unveiled.
Ashesh Malla, the director and founder of Swarwanam Theatre, emphasized the importance of cost-effective theatrical performances, advocating for the maximum use of symbolism to minimize costs. He said that the maximum use of symbolism could significantly minimize the cost of the theatrical performance.
Prof. Dr. Ram Chandra Pokharel commended Kavidanda Literature Society for empowering Nepali playwrights by organizing such literary discussion.
Senior litterateur and critic Prof. Dr. Abhi Subedi addressed the gap between printed books and the audience, noting that printed books often fail to reach distant audiences. He remarked, “There remains a struggle between the printed drama and its performance in the theatre.” Subedi stressed the necessity of interrelation between different forms of arts, saying, “Intercultural relation between different genres and arts are taught but not practiced.”
Likewise, LB Chhetri, the chairperson of the Society, observed that Nepali dramas have been limited to theoretical teaching, lacking their theatrical performance.
The whole-day event also featured paper presentation by Prof. Dr. Sabitri Kakshyapati and Dr. Ashok Thapa. Speaking on the title ‘Utarbarti Rangamanch Ko Ruprekha’, Prof. Kakshyapati discussed on the political upheavals of Nepal that took at different times and their impact on Nepali theatre. She emphasized the need to analyze the position of Nepali drama after 1981, following dramatist Bal Krishna Sama, and posed the question, “Where do we situate in these last 44 years?” Additionally, she highlighted the difficulties that Nepali drama underwent during the Maoist Insurgency.
Dr. Thapa, whose paper dealt with the technological changes in Nepali Theatre, traced the historical developments of Nepali Theatre along with the technology since the Medieval Period. He shed light on significant issues, such as how Parsi Theatre overshadowed Nepali local theatre, emphasizing the importance of preserving our native culture while adopting foreign influences. Dr. Thapa also highlighted the dynamic nature of Nepali Theatre, noting its assimilation of recent technological developments, which he termed as “From Lantern to Laptop.”
During the event, Ashesh Malla’s widely acclaimed play ‘Kumar Ji Agya Garnuhunchha’, directed by Rasik Raj, was also performed. The play revolved around the themes of child marriage, rape, and impunity enjoyed by the culprits, illustrating the prevailing darkness in the world, while, at the same time, appealing for action against such injustices.
A panel discussion on ‘Nepali Theatre in Representing Marginal Voices’ also remained an integral part of the program.
The event was anchored by poet Mahesh Kshitiz.
Established in 2060 BS, Kavidanda Literature Society, Chitwan, has been organizing various literary programs, competitions, and award distributions for the growth and development of the Nepali language and literature.
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