11 poets bring out 'The Primordial Song of Love'

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 17: Eleven poets have jointly come up with a collection of love poems titled 'The Primordial Song of Love'. 

The collection includes poems from Bidhan Acharya, Bhisma Upreti, Tanka Upreti, Rami Priya, Suman Thapa Sangam, Dil Kumari Dangol, Dhir Kumar Shrestha, Chandra Bahadur Lama, Sanjay Suman, Bishwa Sigdel, and Ishwor Thokar. The book, which explores various dimensions of love, also features English translations by poet and translator Chandra Bahadur Lama.

The poems explore themes such as longing, passion, memory, separation, and emotional depth. Some poems use nature as a metaphor, depicting rivers, oceans, and changing seasons to symbolise love’s intensity, whereas others offer philosophical reflections on love’s connection to existence, time, and human emotions. The diverse poetic voices within the collection artistically capture both union and separation in love.

The book was officially launched by the eleven poets themselves amid an event organised by Bartaman Kabita Samuha on Friday evening on the occasion of Valentine's Day. Following the launch, a special poetry recital featured readings by the contributing poets along with other distinguished literary figures, including Ram Gopal Ashutosh, Kishor Pahadi, Sneh Sayami, Rajanimila, Laxmi Mali, Bina Nemkul, Nanibaba Adhikari, Govinda Nepal and Sriom Shrestha Rodan.

Dhir Kumar Shrestha, chief editor of Shabdankur Monthly and a member of Bartaman Kabita Samuha, presented a brief introduction to the Samuha. 

Speaking on the challenges of translation, poet and translator Chandra Bahadur Lama emphasised the difficulty of preserving cultural authenticity, emotional depth, and literary aesthetics while rendering poetry from Nepali into English.

Poet Bishwa Sigdel, representing the organisers, reaffirmed Bartaman Kabita Samuha’s commitment to the advancement of poetry and its continued literary initiatives. He further highlighted that translating Nepali poetry into English would help introduce Nepali literature to a global audience, strengthening its presence on the international literary stage.