Poet Gopal Parajuli has been honored with the Kabidanda Suvarna–Tulsi Poetry Award 2081. The award, which carries a cash prize of 50,160 rupees, was presented amid a special ceremony in Kathmandu on Saturday.
The award was established by lyricist Sarala Shrestha in honour of her parents, Tulsi Devi and Suvarna Jung Shrestha.
At the event, President of Kabidanda Literary Society LB Chhetri, senior artist Madan Krishna Shrestha, and members of the Shrestha family jointly honored Parajuli with a traditional shawl, a certificate, and the cash prize.
Poet and critic Mahesh Paudyal highlighted Parajuli’s literary contributions, stating, “At a time when the Western world was advocating nihilism by declaring the death of God and the author, poet Parajuli defended the eternal flow of faith and optimism by writing Arko Ishwor Ko Ghoshana (The Declaration of Another God). Likewise, in response to Western scholars who believed history had ended with the conclusion of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, he emphasized the importance and historical uniqueness of the East by proposing ‘another world.” He affirmed that Parajuli was a deserving recipient of the award. Parajuli had earlier won the prestigious Madan Puraskar in 2060 BS for his poetry collection Naya Ishwar Ko Ghoshana (The Declaration of a New God).
The Kabidanda Suvarna–Tulsi Poetry Award was first established in 2077 BS and has previously been awarded to noted poets Shrawan Mukarung, Tirtha Shrestha, Manu Manjil, and Sarubhakta.
The same event also saw the launch of LB Chhetri’s seventh book, a memoir titled Americama 43 Din (43 Days in America). The author shared that the book captures his experiences and reflections from a family trip to the United States in 2016. Published by Page Turner Pvt. Ltd., the book is priced at 450 rupees.
Additionally, five new songs penned by lyricist Sarala Shrestha were launched at the event. The songs titled Harpal Samjhanama Aairahechhau Timi, Dukhe Dherai Aba Dukhn Pugyo, Kina Bhayecha Bhet Hamro Jindagiko Tes Praharma, Dil Ta Dami Hajurko, and Ma Haareko Chaina Yo Jindagima feature music composed by Rajanraj Siwakoti, Laxman Pokharel, and Narendra Pyasi, with vocals by Madan Krishna Shrestha, Elina Chauhan, Shivraj Bishwakarma, Babina Bhattarai, and Karan Pariyar.
During the launch, Madan Krishna Shrestha also shared remarks and presented the songs to the audience.
The event featured congratulatory remarks from Basanta Bityasi Thapa, President of the Lyricists’ Association of Nepal, and literary journalist Bimal Bhaukaji. The program was emceed by Secretary of Kabidanda Literary Society Lekhram Sapkota.
