Senior writer Chaudhary presented Maithili language literature award

By Our Correspondent,Danusha, July 12: The Vidyapati Award Trust distributed awards for the year 2023 in various categories of Maithili language amid a programme held in Danusha on Tuesday.

The prizes were presented by Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhes Province.

One of the prestigious awards, the Nepal Vidyapati Maithili Language Literary Award, was presented to Ayodhyanath Chaudhary, a senior writer of  Bideha Municipality Ward-2 of Danusha. The award carries a purse of Rs. 200,000.

In addition, renowned Maithili singer Abhas Labh and Maithili painter Baidyanath Patel received the Nepal Vidyapati Maithili Kala Sanskrit Award of Rs. 50,000 each.

The Nepal Vidyapati Manuscript Award was bestowed upon senior writer Mahendra Kumar Mishra, and the Nepal Vidyapati Maithili Translation Award was presented to Ramesh Kumar Yadav. Both of these awards carry a purse of Rs. 100,000.

Minister Kiranti handed over cheques, certificates, and commendation letters specifying the award amount to all the recipients. 

During the event, Minister Kiranti said that Poet Vidyapati is a symbol of emotional unity. 

He mentioned that Vidyapati’s literature has strengthened the literary ties between Nepal and India, and expressed his belief that Vidyapati’s contributions to Maithili literature are invaluable.

He further highlighted that Vidyapati’s manuscripts are still preserved in the National Archives of Nepal, emphasising the connection between the Maithili language and the regions of Madhes and the hilly region.

He said that Maithili plays used to be staged in Kathmandu during the Malla period and assured the government’s commitment to promoting the preservation and development of the Maithili language.

Sunita Yadav, Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Tourism of the Madhes government, stressed the need for preserving Vidyapati’s works and history.