POKHARA AND THE EARLY LITERARY LUMINARIES
In historical times, Kaski was a center of learning and people came from far-flung places to enlarge their intellectual horizons. Hundreds of years have passed but still today; this well-deserved reputation is intact.
Pokhara is one of the main centers of art, culture, and literature in Nepal, second only to Kathmandu the capital city. This rich treasury of Pokhara occupies a distinct place of its own. Pokhara's folk literature has made a tremendous impact on Nepal. It first emerged through its awesome poetry, the first genuine form of literature that was like a jewel in Pokhara's crown.
Poets like Lekhnath, Paudyal, Tejnath Ghimire, Mukunda Saran, Dharmaraj Thapa, Bhola Parajuli. Gopal Baidhya, Taranath Pakhe, Rabilal Adhikari, Ali Mia, Saru Bhakta, Tirtha Shrestha, Binod Gauchan, Prakat Pageni, Numaraj Baral, Bijaya Bajimaya, Bishwo Shakya, Kul Bahadur K.C, Ghanshayam Lamichhane are just some who dedicated themselves to the service of Nepali literature and made Pokhara proud of them.
People like Dharmaraj Thapa, Ali Mia, and Hari Devi Koirala are better known for their magnificent contributions enriching the treasury of Nepali folk songs and folk literature. The early writing of the poet Lekhnath earned acclaim throughout Nepal and his beautiful poems are still read and recited in schools and universities. He can be considered as the first eminent poet to emerge from Pokhara (Kaski).
Mukunda Saran was another important writer. His anthology of poems "Prakratik Pokhara" was given the highest literary award in the country, the "Madan Puruskar". His flamboyant poetry, full of life, enthralled the people of all walks of life.
Bhupi Sherchan is another who contributed greatly to Nepali literature. He was born into a wealthy Thakali family in Mustang and was so deeply interested in literature that he persuaded his parents to send him to Banaras in India for higher education. This was a very rare opportunity for a boy of his age, especially in a remote place like Mustang where the introduction of education arrived very late and was very sparse. His first work of literature, a collection of folk songs called "Nayam Jhyaure" was published in 1956 when he was still a student at age 20; this was followed by a book titled "Nirjha". In 1969, Bhupi Sherchan published "Ghumne Mechmathi" which contained the most thrilling poems. This book is a collection of 42 prose poems, which portray the various aspects of Nepali life. It was an instant success and earned him the prestigious award of the "Sajha Puruska". Michael Hutt's famous book "Himalayan Voices" contains several of the mesmerizing poems which have been well-translated into English by Mr.Hutt.
Several new authors, poets, and artists have emerged in Pokhara and have taken the various aspects of society as their themes and have made striking impressions with their imaginative and descriptive powers. Among this new generation, two writers must be named who have been successful and proved their worth by writing both poetry and prose.
Saru Bhakta's "Pagal Basti" (Colony of Lunatics) was an epoch-making work of literature, a true masterpiece. This book is an all-time classic and he was awarded the "Madan Puruskar", one of the most prestigious literary awards in Nepal.
Thirta Shrestha is the other poet who stands out, a young poet from Pokhara who is better known for his simple style of poetry. He has written poems that have brought great respect and acclaim and he has already succeeded in getting many national awards in recognition of his talent in writing sublime poetry in the Nepali language.
Durga Baral has attained fame for his drawing of satirical and lighthearted cartoons which often lampoon the corrupt bureaucracy in Nepal. He has been publicly congratulated several times for his outstanding contribution as a painter and an artist. A recent book printed by the Fine Print Book Club," Batsyayana and His Barbs" has meticulously presented several of Durga Barai's best-known cartoons.
Pokhara saw its first public library, "Adarsha Library" in 1951, followed by the "Gandaki Literary Institution" which was formed in 1962. Now there are dozens of such literary institutions, which are devoted to promoting literary activities in the valley.
Over the years, we have seen a rapid upsurge of journals in Pokhara published in both English and Nepali. But most of them could not survive for long and, therefore, many of them are now defunct.
In the past, a group of literary enthusiasts in Pokhara established the Pokhara English Literary Forum, Nepal in 2005. The forum was the first of its kind in Pokhara and was established to promote English writing in the country in general and Pokhara in particular. It has also been publishing a literary journal The Himalayan Herald on a bi-monthly basis.
The journal published creative writings of new and established writers and poets. The Himalayan Herald proved to be an ideal source of inspiration to young and budding writers, who desperately looked to get their literary work published easily. But unfortunately, Pokhara English Literary Forum, Nepal, and its literary journal both had long been in hibernation.
Truth has it that mostly due to lack of financial support, most of the literary journals and magazines have attained premature deaths across the country.
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