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The Kathmandu-Kalinga Literature Festival has come to an end in Lalitpur, Nepal.

Kathmandu-Kalinga Literature Fest in Lalitpur, Nepal: Celebrating South Asian culture, literature, and art. A diverse convergence of literary minds.
on Sep 06, 2023

In Lalitpur, Nepal, the Kathmandu-Kalinga Literature Festival, a three-day-long and profound celebration of South Asian culture, literature, and art, came to an end.

The Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival, a lively and culturally enriching event, wrapped up in Lalitpur, Nepal. The festival, which was started by Nepal's Foreign Minister, NP Saud, provided as a venue for cultural interaction in South Asia while also encouraging literary and cultural activities in the region. This confluence of literary minds and artists from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka demonstrated the richness and diversity of South Asian literature and arts.

A Multifaceted Exhibition

The festival featured a wide range of creative expressions, including literature, music, dance, poetry, and other types of art. This varied range of performances contributed to a greater appreciation for South Asia's cultural fabric and encouraged artistic collaboration among participating countries.

Yashaswi Sahitya Samman: Honoring Literary Excellence

The awarding of the 'Yashaswi Sahitya Samman' prizes was one of the highlights of the Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival. This distinguished award recognised individuals who have made important contributions to the region's literature and culture. Among those honoured were:

Professor Avadhesh Pradhan: A distinguished scholar in the literary field.

Divya Dutta: An accomplished actress and writer.

Prof Madhav Prasad Pokharel: A prominent figure in the literary world.

Manisha Koirala: A beloved actress with a penchant for writing.

These luminaries were awarded the 'Yashaswi Sahitya Samman' for their outstanding contributions to South Asian literature and culture.

Yashaswi Book Prize for Literary Works

Along with the 'Yashaswi Sahitya Samman,' the festival established the 'Yashaswi Book Prize' to recognise great literary works. The first recipients of this distinguished award were:

Bibek Ojha: Recognized for his fiction work ‘Aithan.’

Dr. Nawaraj KC: Honored for his creative non-fiction book ‘Sunyako Mulya.’

Renuka GC: Acknowledged for her captivating story ‘Sanesh.’

Dr. Mahendra Malla: Celebrated for his poetry collection ‘Bhasako Bakpatra.’

Govinda Giri Prerana: Awarded for the biography ‘Sushree Parijaat.’

Anuradha: Lauded for her contribution to children’s literature with ‘Chhamchhako Chhamchhami.’

The 'Yashaswi Book Prize' recognised and appreciated these exceptional authors and their significant literary accomplishments.

A Wide Range of Literary Achievements

Other winners of the 'Yashaswi Book Prize' included:

Rima KC: Honored for her remarkable translation work, ‘Selected Poems by Amrita Preetam.’

Narayan Ghimire: Recognized for his book ‘Raithane Khanpan Ra Chadparva,’ focusing on food and medicine.

Lakpa Dendi Sherpa: Acknowledged for his autobiography, ‘Himalayan Maverick.’

Sushant Thapa: Celebrated for his anthology of English poetry, ‘Means of Merit.’

These individuals demonstrated the enormous talent and innovation found in South Asian writing, which spans a wide range of genres and issues.

The Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival is a triumph of South Asian culture, literature, and art.

The Kathmandu-Kalinga Literary Festival was a triumphant celebration of South Asian culture, literature, and art. The festival functioned as a forum for cultural interchange and artistic collaboration, as well as recognising and honouring the remarkable contributions of regional literary giants. As South Asia's literary and cultural heritage flourishes, events like these play an important role in fostering innovation, understanding, and national togetherness.