Ambika Aryal's Bhabdeep unveiled

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 8: It was one of the rarest scenes that there were only females on the dias. Poet, guests, presenters, organiser and chairperson were all females. 

It was the launching function of Bhabdeep, a collection of Muktaks in Nepali by Ambika Aryal, which was released recently in the capital.

The book was jointly unveiled by 11 teenage girls including Apekshya Bastola, Sonu Shrestha, Diya Thapa, Darshana Thapa, Prasika Thapa, Shrisa Shrestha, Bidya Paudel, Bipaswi Dhakal, Yamuna Shah, Asmita Basnet and Sambhabi Dhakal.

The function was organised by Gyan Chakshu Literature Academy, an organisation established by women authors. 

At the programme, Manamaya Pokhrel reviewed the book from a feminist point of view. "The anthology will stand on the front line of Nepali Muktaks," Pokhrel asserted.

Dibyaswari Joshi mentioned its aesthetic part while the chairperson of the function Shantimaya Giri traced some of its shortcomings. Moreover, senior writer Puskar Lohani praised Aryal's art of writing.

Musician Santosh Shrestha, RJ Hem Bhandary and writers Radhika Guragain, Rama KC and Bhagabati Basnet recited some individual Muktaks from the book.

Published by Sangam Books, the 95-page anthology costs Rs. 250.

A PhD in Nepali, Aryal is the chief of the Nepali Department at Padmakanya Multiple Campus. Abishranta, a novel, and six books of criticism were to her credit, prior to Bhabdeep.