By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 26 Nov: A programme was organised at the Doon Library and Research Centre today to discuss the life and works of Bhanubhakta Acharya, the first poet of Nepali language and literature.
Speakers highlighted his literary contributions, saying that Bhanubhakta Acharya’s best efforts include the translation of the Ramayana into Nepali. He was an excellent scholar of Sanskrit literature, and his compositions clearly reflect the ancient poetic traditions.
In the discussion, writer and guide Krishna Prasad Panthi described the events of Bhanubhakta Acharya’s early life, from his childhood to his becoming the first poet, and presented the Indian poetic traditions prevalent in his poetry with examples. He highlighted the uniqueness of the Nepali Ramayana, Bhanubhakta’s spiritual consciousness, and his contribution to Nepali literature through his immortal writings. He also discussed the objectives of poetry mentioned in the Lakshana Granthas and the qualifications for a literary work to be considered a mahakavya, shedding light on the poetic beauty of Bhanubhakta Acharya’s literature.
Another discussant, linguist and translator Dr Dinesh Sharma, recalled the rich tradition of Nepali literature in Dehradun and appealed to the new generation of Nepali speakers to come forward for the development of the language. He introduced the audience to Bhanubhakta Acharya’s other works, making special mention of specific events in his life, such as ‘A Letter to His Son’ and ‘A Poem Written from Jail to the Prime Minister’. Dr Sharma also highlighted the role of northeastern India, along with the mountainous states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, in the development of the Nepali language and the contributions of Nepali writers from these regions.
Radio presenter Sankalpa Pant moderated the discussion, presenting the sweetness of the Nepali language and literature and the spirit of public welfare inherent in it. The discussants also responded to questions from the audience. As a special guest, senior litterateur and president of the All-India Nepali Language Committee, Dr Bhupendra Adhikari, thanked Doon Library and Research Centre for this initiative and termed such programmes important for the preservation of the linguistic culture of any language.
At the beginning of the event, Programme Associate of Doon Library and Research Centre, Chandrashekhar Tewari, welcomed the guests and the audience.
The event was attended by several writers, litterateurs, and readers of the library, including Devesh Kandpal, Shayar Sushil Devli, Himanshu Ahuja, Shambhu Kumar, Shadab Mashhadi, Dr Man Kumari Gautam, Bharti Mishra, Poonam, Sharmila Sharma, Shanta Panthi, Dr VK Dobhal, Aparna Regmi, Sunder Singh Bisht, Madhan Singh, Dr Atul Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, and Avtar Singh.
