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The ongoing fourth general conference of the Traditional Poetry Writers Association of the World (TPWAW) honored three poets on Tuesday. On the first day of the two-day event, poets Sita Ram Adhikari, Bhuwan Hari Sigdel, and Prahlad Pokharel were conferred with the Yew Suhng-Gyou Literary Award.

They were awarded by the President of TPWAW, Kim Bong-Goon, on the recommendation of the TPWAW Nepal Chapter for the poets’ achievements in publishing around a dozen books about literature, including traditional poetry, over the decades.

President Kim and the President of the Nepal Chapter, Ram Kumar Panday, jointly inaugurated the conference by illuminating the traditional Panas lamp. The inauguration ceremony featured chanting of veda/swasti verses along with shankha dwani and mangal dhoon.

Presidents of member countries—Hoon Kim (Canada), Li Wen-Hua (China), Kang Jung-Hi (Germany), Choi Soonn-Hyang (South Korea), Sun Hwa Griffiths (UK), and Kim Ki-Sook (USA)—delivered congratulatory speeches for conducting the general conference.

Additionally, there were paper presentations on the analysis of the beauty of Chinese traditional poetry by Guang Shao-Kui, Korean traditional poetry (sijo) by Kim Bong-Goon, an introduction to the tradition of humor poems in Nepal by Ram Kumar Panday, and sonnets by Toony Peek (UK).

Further, there were poetry symposiums, art-crafts, and artifacts exhibitions, musical performances, and book exhibitions. Dr Mitra Bandhu Poudel, General Secretary of the TPWAW Nepal Chapter, delivered the vote of thanks.

Participants from member countries are also scheduled to visit Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Pashupati World Heritage Site, and the Bouddhanath Stupa.

The two-day event will conclude on Wednesday with a closing ceremony and the distribution of awards and certificates.

TPWAW, initially formed through collaboration between China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, the UK, and the USA, saw South Korea take the initiative in promoting traditional poetry globally in 2007. Nepal joined the association later in 2013.

The series of international conferences began in 2013 in South Korea, followed by events in China in 2016 and the UK in 2019.

In addition to Panday as the President and Dr Poudel as General Secretary of the Nepal Chapter, the executive committee includes Dr Ram Bahadur Jitali and Dr Yadav Prasad Dhungana as Vice-presidents, Kishor Bajra Bajracharya as Treasurer, and Sita Ram Adhikari, Shiromani Dawadi, Ashok Man Shingh, and Shanti Sapkota as members.

The Nepal Chapter of the Traditional Poetry Writers Association of the World (TPWAW) hosted the fourth general conference on traditional poetry in Kathmandu. The two-day event started on April 16 under the banner ‘Advancement of human culture and world through the exchange of traditional poetry.’

The conference agenda includes opening addresses, congratulatory speeches, greetings, country papers, musical performances, and visits to heritage sites. Selected poets will also present their traditional poetry. Additionally, there will be cultural presentations from each participating country, an art exhibition, and poetry recitations.

Nepal not only boasts natural beauty but also a rich cultural tapestry reflected in its poetic expressions. Various poetic genres thrive within Nepali folklore, including Jhyaure, Muktak, Silok Ghansi, Dohori, Dhamari, and Roila. Furthermore, Nepal holds a significant legacy of traditional poetry in the Sanskrit tradition, characterized by its development, structure, and beauty.

Ram Kumar Panday, President of TPWAW Nepal Chapter, describes Nepal as “the headquarters of peace, paradise, poems, and rhymes,” noting the chanting of one of the oldest poems in the Himalayas since the era of the Siva civilization. He highlights the pervasive role of poetry in Nepali life, from daily recitations of mantras to its presence in fairs, festivals, ceremonies, and religious and social rituals throughout the month.

Panday acknowledges Nepal’s potential as a research hub for various aspects of traditional poetry but points out the dearth of research on Nepali poets and poems. He extends an invitation to researchers to delve into Nepal’s poetic traditions and explore the poetic essence of the Himalayas.

“We can collaborate on a traditional poetry research program with colleges across the globe,” he suggests. “To educate the next generations, we can write books on prosody.” Panday expresses the TPWAW Nepal Chapter’s interest in translating traditional poems from various countries into Nepali. “We seek, search, and share Nepal’s traditional poetic heritage, working towards the preservation and promotion of the cultural intrinsic value of Nepali poetry,” he adds.

TPWAW, initially formed through collaboration between China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, the UK, and the USA, saw South Korea take the initiative in promoting traditional poetry globally in 2007. Nepal joined the association later on in 2013. 

The series of international conferences began in 2013 in South Korea, followed by events in China in 2016 and the UK in 2019.

The Jhulaghat transit point along the Nepal-India border in Baitadi district is to remain closed from this evening in view of the Lok Sabha election in Uttarakhand of India.

Baitadi's Chief District Officer Bhimkant Sharma has said Jhulaghat will remain shut from 6 pm Tuesday until 7 pm on April 19 considering the Lok Sabha polls in Uttarakhand State in India. The election has been scheduled to take place on April 19.

However, in case of emergencies, the border can be reopened through a mutual agreement during the official closure. There is a practice for closing the transit points during an election in the neighboring country.

Ramesh Subedi, musician, music composer, and a teacher, has an indomitable spirit. Born visually impaired in 1979 in Kerabari Rural Municipality, Morang, his passion for music started during his formative years at Gyan Chachu School, a school catering to visually impaired students, where the air was always filled with melodies.

“From my earliest days at Gyan Chachu School, I found support and inspiration among fellow visually impaired students,” he says. “It was here that my interest in music began, nurtured by the supportive environment and the creative energy within the school walls.”

When Subedi was in grade five he composed his first song. The lyrics–Totey boli bolera, nana papa lyayi magne, kati ramro bani timro gyani bhayi basne–were penned by his friend Prem Rai. This was perhaps what marked the start of a lifelong pursuit of musical expression.

“I was drawn to politics at first. I aspired to become the chief justice and advocate for the rights of the underprivileged. I believed involvement in politics would provide me with a platform to be heard,” says Subedi. “But I soon discovered my true passion in music.”  

He recognized music had the potential not only for personal fulfillment but also for social impact. This realization led him to pursue formal music education at Lalit Kala Campus, specializing in vocal performance, and immersing himself in the study of various musical instruments.

Learning the guitar proved to be particularly challenging. He met several teachers who struggled to effectively communicate their knowledge with him. However, Subedi refused to give up. “After numerous attempts, I eventually found a teacher, Subash Mukhiya, whose professional teaching skills and patience proved to be invaluable,” he says. Under Mukhiya’s guidance, Subedi embarked on a four and a half year journey of learning the guitar. Mukhiya’s ability to adapt his teaching methods played a crucial role in Subedi’s learning journey and eventual success. 

“When you are truly passionate about something, don’t let it fade as a dream. Instead, keep working hard, and you will eventually find yourself where you are meant to be,” says Subedi.

Subedi’s journey of learning the keyboard was challenging. But he persisted in his efforts, attending music schools and seeking out instructors until he found one who was willing to take him on as a student. “That moment when the teacher said yes to teaching me was a turning point for me. The acceptance ignited a sense of confidence and determination that pushed me forward in my journey,” he says. 

As someone who was visually impaired , Subedi understands the difficulties of finding suitable teachers and resources for learning instruments. His struggles fueled his desire to pave a smoother way for future generations of visually impaired musicians. He became an advocate for actively working to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and providing resources for visually impaired musicians.

Throughout his career, Subedi has balanced his roles as teacher at Laboratory Higher Secondary School in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, and also as a musician at Dohori Fewa Restaurant.

Joining the Laboratory Higher Secondary School was a pivotal moment in his career as an educator. In 2004, he started on a journey that would not only shape the lives of his students but also redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of education. “Joining Laboratory School was the best decision for me because I have gained a lot of experiences. I have had the chance to enable my students to participate in various events to showcase their musical performances,” says Subedi.

Subedi’s tenure at Laboratory School is marked by his dedication to inclusivity. Teaching Braille to nearly 50 visually impaired students, he ensures equal access to education. His efforts to seamlessly integrate visually impaired students into the classroom alongside their sighted peers have created a truly inclusive atmosphere, where everyone feels valued and supported.

“As a music teacher, I bring my passion for music to every lesson, inspiring students to explore their creativity and express themselves,” he says. Subedi has further demonstrated his commitment to his students’ artistic growth by publishing a separate collection of their songs. This project showcases the talents of his students and provides them with a platform to share their musical creations with a wider audience.

Subedi’s songs have been sung by a variety of talented artists in the Nepali music industry. Some notable singers include Babu Bogati, Rajeshpal Rai, Swarup Acharya, Kamal Khatri, Purnakala BC, Krishna Bhakta Rai, and Reema Gurung among others. These singers have lent their unique voices and interpretations to Subedi’s songs, helping to bring his compositions to life and share them with audiences across Nepal and beyond.

Subedi’s contributions to the field of music and education have not gone unnoticed. He has received several awards including the Godhuli Sur-Sadhana Sewa Puraskar and the Kartikeya Children’s Literature Promotion Award, which highlight his significant impact on Nepali culture and society. 

His dedication to preserving Nepali music and culture is evident in his publication of a songbook containing a collection of 70 songs with lyrics and chords in 2005. This comprehensive resource serves as a valuable tool for aspiring musicians and educators, ensuring the continued legacy of Nepali music for future generations.

Subedi’s family plays an integral role in his life, providing love, support, and encouragement as he pursues his passion for music and education. “Despite the challenges I faced in my career, my family stands by me, they’re proud of my achievements and dedication” says Subedi. Subedi’s son looks up to his father with admiration. Seeing his father fills him with a sense of pride and wonder as he realizes the impact his father has had on the lives of others through his music and teaching.