Poetry symposium held on World Poetry Day

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Mar. 23: Bartaman Kabita Samuha organised a poetry symposium on the occasion of World Poetry Day in Kathmandu on Friday. 

At the event, poets Bhisma Upreti, Pramod Snehi, Bimal Bhaukaji, Tanka Upreti, Suman Thapa 'Sangam', Sumi Lohani, Shova Sharav, Subash Singh Parajuli, Rupsingh Bhandari, Dil Kumari Dangol, Sabita Gautam Dahal, Hira Devi Waiba, Binayak Pant, Narendra Bahadur Shrestha, Devendra Aryal Ansu, and IshworThokar recited poems on various themes, captivating the audience with their artistic expressions.

Prior to the recitation, the event featured a discussion on love peon anthology titled The Primordial Song of Love' was held in the event. 

The anthology consists of poems by 11 Nepali poets published in both Nepali and English language. 

The event was held under the theme 'Poetry as a Bridge for Peace and Inclusion' and featured three distinguished keynote speakers, Dr. Bal Ram Adhikari, Rajnimila and Keshab Sigdel.

Dr. Bal Ram Adhikari elaborated on the challenges of poetry translation, emphasising the importance of collaboration with the original writer and the necessity of refining translations from a linguistic perspective. 

He noted that over the past twenty-five years, poetry has experienced the highest amount of translation, yet it continues to be regarded as an inherently untranslatable genre.

Likewise, Rajnimila, drawing references from renowned poets Walt Whitman and John Milton, praised the structure and thematic depth of the Nepali poems included in the collection, describing them as excellent in style.

Keshab Sigdel explored various aspects of translation, providing interpretative analyses of selected poems. He particularly emphasised the expression of love in the translated works, shedding light on their nature and stylistic elements.

At the programme, Dhirkumar Shrestha and Sanjay Suman spoke on World Poetry Day, highlighting its significance in celebrating linguistic diversity and cultural exchange through poetry.