Mahamurkha conference to be held on Fagu Purnima

By Laxmi Chaudhary,Janakpur, Mar. 4: A two-day Hori (Holi or Fagu) festival and ‘Mahamurkha conference’ will be observed on the occasion of Fagu Purnina on Monday and Tuesday.

Mithila Natyakala Parishad (MINAP) hosts the event every year in Janakpurdham. 

MINAP General Secretary Shailendra Mallik informed that they have  planned to celebrate this year’s Hori Festival on Monday (March 6) and ‘Mahamurkha conference’ on Tuesday, the following day of Fagu at Janaki Temple.

Although there was a plan to have contestants from all eight districts of Madhes province in the festival, contestants from only five districts have participated so far, Mallik informed. 

A total of 10 teams, two each from five districts,  will participate in the competition. Each team will have 10 contestants and 100 in total, informed Mallik. 

Activities including Damphu playing, inauguration, special discussion on Holi, seminar of poets, Fagu singing, and award distribution will be held on the first day of the conference.  

 On the following day, satirical theatrical performance, announcement of the winners of the title of ‘Mahamurkha’ (the great fool) and Holi special song will be performed, he added.   

He informed they had scheduled a programme to honour the Provincial Assembly members who took oath in Maithili language.

Every year during the Holi festival, artistes associated with MINAP  stage a play.

MINAP has been organising ‘Mahamurkha Conference’ since 2004 in Janakpur. 

Maithili poet Naresh Thakur was the first to receive the odd title in 2004.

Likewise, the then UML leader Sheetal Jha, former mayor of Janakpur Municipality Hari Bahadur BC, leader Om Kumar Jha, writer Dr. Rajendra Bimal, former minister Ramchandra Jha, political analyst CK Lal, litterateur Ram Bharosh Kapadi ‘Bhramar, Nepali Congress leader Ram Saroj Yadav, former Chief Minister of Madhesh Province Lal Babu Raut, comedian duo Madan Krishna Shrestha and Haribansha Acharya were also decorated with the ‘Mahamurkha’ title.