हामी सबैकाे संसारन्यूज

With the launch of Drunken Boat, America’s oldest online magazine, in Kathmandu and the release of an anthology of poems ‘Quaking Cantos: Nepal Earthquake Poems’ penned by Nepali poet Yuyutsu RD Sharma on Sunday, the year ahead looks plentiful for poem-lovers.

The book and the online news portal were released amidst a function held jointly by Lotus Book Shop in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board in the capital city.

On the occasion, senior poet Shailendra Sakar noted poet Yuyutsu’s contribution in making Nepali literature visible on the world map. Yuyutsu reciprocated by saying, “The soul of Nepal lies in Nepali poetry.” The poet spoke of the role played by Nepali poets in helping to usher in the rise of democracy in Nepal.

Yuyutsu also read out his poems, ‘I see my work Shaking’ and ‘Family Deity’ from his Quaking Cantos as the winter clouds covered the Kathmandu sky with slight drizzle. The writer is working on a memoir titled ‘Nepal Earthquake’, it is learnt.

Several poets featured in the Drunken Boat’s Special Nepal Edition recited their poems. Nepali poets Hari Adhikari, Shailendra Sakar, Pramod Snehi, Purna Viram, Punya Gautam, Bishwo Sigdel and Srijana Bhandari read out the Nepali versions of the poems selected by the online magazine while Yuyutsu read the same poems in English.

Evoking the spirit of new Nepal and themes of love, war and hunger, the Drunken Boat’s Special Nepal issue features older generation poets as Gopal Prasad Rimal, Krishna Bhakta Shrestha, Shyamal, Bhupi Sherchan, Bimal Nibha, Shailendra Sakar, Purna Viram, Hari Adhikari, Yuyutsu Sharma along with younger generation poets like Shyam Rimal, Pramod Snehi, Arun Budhathoki, Padma Gautam, Punya Gautam and Keshab Silwal. The Nepali edition of Drunken Boat also features works from Shashi Shah, Hari Khadka, Ragini Upadhyaya, Kiran Manandhar, Ratna Kaji Shakya, Ramesh Khanal and Naresh Sainju.

The literary giant also plans to publish the issue in book with some additional renderings from poet Yuyutsu and special section on Nepali women poets.

At the programme, Nepali poet and novelist, Hari Adhikary appreciated the role played by White Lotus in organizing weekly poetry recital series for more than 20 years and appreciated Yuyutsu’s contribution in brining into relief the Nepali literature.