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The third edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) commenced at Hotel Himalaya in Lalitpur. The event, themed “Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature,” was jointly inaugurated by Bhupal Rai, Chancellor of Nepal Academy, KLF Founder Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Kathmandu KLF Director Ranjana Niraula, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Shri Prasanna Shrivastava, Dr. Bhuwan Dhungana, Indian diplomat and novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, and Indian economist and writer Sanjeev Sanyal.

During the inaugural session, legendary poet Dr. Bhuwan Dhungana was honored with the Yashaswi Sahitya Samman. Additionally, the Yashaswi Book Award 2081 was presented to six books across five categories.

The awardees include Devvrat for his poetry collection ‘Aswasthamako Nidharbata Bagmati Bagchha’; Muna Chaudhary for her fiction ‘Laar’; and Momila Joshi for her non-fiction work ‘Prashnaharu Ta Baki Nai Rahanchhan’, an award she shares with Arun Gupta for ‘Sanskriti Chintan’. Additionally, Rohini Rana’s ‘The Nepal Cook Book’ (English) and Yagyaraj Upadhyay’s research work ‘Kali-Karnaliko Lok Sahitya Tatha Sanskriti’ were also recognized.

Each recipient received a prize of Rs 20,000 along with the award.

The festival brings together over 300 writers from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and other South Asian nations, fostering a rich exchange of literary and cultural traditions. It promises a grand celebration of literature, art, music, and culture, further strengthening Nepal’s role as a central hub for Asian cultural dialogues.

According to Ranjana Niraula, Director and Founding Member of KLF-Kathmandu, “The Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival will celebrate the longstanding cultural ties between Nepal, India, and South Asia, while offering a platform for deep discussions on the evolution of global cultures.”

Rashmi Ranjan Parida added that the festival serves as a common platform for cultural exchange between Nepal and India. He remarked, “It’s hard to pinpoint when Nepal and India’s shared journey began, and it continues today.”

Chancellor Bhupal Rai highlighted that the festival connects people globally through cultural interactions. He said, “This festival is an exercise in connecting the world with humanity through cultural activities and interactions. It bridges South Asian countries and brings people together across distances.”

Deputy Chief of Mission Shri Prasanna Shrivastava also emphasized the festival’s role in strengthening Nepal-India relations. “This prestigious Indian festival has been held in Kathmandu, a city rich in culture, for three years. India and Nepal share a longstanding relationship, with deep heritage ties. The festival’s main objective is to spread Nepal’s art, literature, and culture across Asian countries and to foster an exchange of ideas between Nepal and India,” he said.

The third edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) is set to take place on Sept 7-8, in Kathmandu. The festival, set to feature over 300 writers from across South Asia, will be inaugurated by Tourism and Culture Minister, Badri Prasad Pandey.

This year’s festival is themed “Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature” and will celebrate Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and its connections to South Asia. Renowned figures such as writer Dr Abhi Subedi, diplomat and novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, Indian economist and author Sanjeev Sanyal, and Nepal Academy Chancellor Bhupal Rai will be among the Guests of Honor, as per the organizers.

On the second day, British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, will serve as the Chief Guest, while the event will also feature prominent writers and poets from India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

Founding Member and Director of KLF-Kathmandu, Ranjana Niraula, expressed excitement about the festival, stating, “This edition will offer a lifetime experience for literature, music, art, and culture enthusiasts. It will also deepen the long-standing ties between Nepal and South Asia, as we explore emerging global cultures.”

In addition to panel discussions and keynote sessions, attendees can look forward to events highlighting literature, art, music, poetry, and storytelling. Notable sessions include topics like ‘Rethinking Development and Diplomacy in the Digital Age’, ‘The Role and Future of Literature in the Age of AI,’ and ‘Gorkha Identity: Opportunities and Blues’.

The festival, hosted at Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu, will run across three halls and include over 60 sessions across two days.

Collaborating with RP Foundation, Kathmandu University (KU) has introduced a pioneering program, ‘Bachelor in Heritage Conservation (BHC)’, under its School of Engineering, Department of Architecture. This new program is the first of its kind in all of Asia, focusing on the preservation and protection of cultural heritage. The BHC program offers an in-depth exploration of the reasons and methods behind heritage conservation, emphasizing its significance in shaping civilizations, says the Foundation. “Given Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, including ten UNESCO World Heritage sites and 15 sites nominated for the status, the course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect and preserve these invaluable assets.”

Classes for the BHC program will be conducted in the culturally rich areas of Panauti, Dhulikhel, and Bhaktapur, offering students hands-on experience in heritage conservation. The application deadline for the inaugural intake is set for Sept 16.

This year’s Yashaswi Book Award 2081 will recognize six books across various categories. 

As announced in a press release by Ranjana Niraula, Director of Yashasvi Pragya Pratishthan, the awardees include Devvrat for his poetry collection ‘Aswasthamako Nidharbata Bagmati Bagchha’, Muna Chaudhary for her fiction ‘Laar’, and Momila Joshi for her non-fiction work ‘Prashnaharu Ta Baki Nai Rahanchhan’, which she will share with Arun Gupta for ‘Sanskriti Chintan’. Additionally, Rohini Rana’s ‘The Nepal Cook Book’ (English) and Yagyaraj Upadhyay’s research work ‘Kali-Karnaliko Lok Sahitya Tatha Sanskriti’ will also be recognized. 

The awards, which include a prize of Rs 20,000 for each recipient, will be presented at the Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival on Sept 7.