Moti Jayanti being marked today

Kathmandu, Aug 23: The 160th birth anniversary of the national luminary Yubakavi (the Youth Poet) Motiram Bhatta is to be observed by organizing several literary events today.

Bhatta was born this day on Kushe Aunsi (National Father's Day) in 1923 BS (1866 AD) and died on the same day in 1953 BS (1896 AD). He lived a short life of 30 years but is ever remembered for his substantial contributions to the world of Nepali literature, especially for immortalizing Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya by making public his biography.

Further, Bhatta was also credited for introducing the printing press in Nepal for the first time. He was the one who introduced Ghazals in Nepali literature. He also published the Ramayana of Bhanubhakta in 1941 BS.

He further developed Nepali language and made it a beautiful medium for literary expression.

Among the popular literary creations of Bhatta are 'Bhanubhaktako Jeewan Charitra', 'Priyadarshika' and 'Pikdut'.

It is through this press that journalism has started in Nepal. Various literary organizations, including the Nepal Education Council and Nepal Academy are organizing programmes on the occasion of the day.(RSS)