Assamese poets, artistes gather in Khandbari

By Our Correspondent, Sankhuwasabha, Sept 1: More than four dozen poets and artists from the Indian state of Assam have arrived in Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha district.

Makalu Sahitya Samaj has invited poets and artists to exchange literature and culture for the Nepal Bharat Sadbhavana Tour-2079.

Organised by Makalu Sahitya Samaj, a team of 43 poets, artists, singers, tribal leaders and journalists have arrived in Khandbari from Assam under the leadership of Assamese poet Karbi Kurfo Amai.

Literary works were exchanged and cultural dances were performed at the programme.  

Indian poets Bishnu Niraula’s poetry collection Himal Boone Radar and Ran Kafle’s Nepali short story collection Leela were released at 

the event. 

The literary works were jointly released by District Coordination Committee Sankhuwasabha Chief Suman Shakya, Khandbari Municipality Mayor Mahesh Thapaliya, Chief District Officer Nurhari Khatiwada and Makalu Literary Society President Tara Bahadur Budhathoki.

In the programme, Assamese artists presented their cultural songs and dances. Likewise, the indigenous tribes of Sankhuwasabha also showed their cultural dances. 

The Indian team also visited the shrines located near Khandbari and worshipped the world’s fifth highest Makalu Himal (8,463 m.) which is visible from a hill near Himalaya Secondary School, Khandbari. 

The Assamese Gorkhalis who came this time said that they were the descendants of the mountains.

Such an international cultural exchange programme is new in Sankhuwasabha. 

Tara Bahadur Budhathoki, president of the Makalu Literature Society, said that the programme was organised to show the Indian writers and singers the folk culture and literature of the eastern hilly region.