3rd Kathmandu Art, Literature Festival concludes

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 7: The third edition of the Kathmandu Art and Literature Festival (KALF), organised by Imperial World School, concluded in Hattigaunda, Kathmandu, on Friday evening, with a two-day celebration of creativity, imagination, and intellectual exploration.

The festival brought together students, educators, writers, artists, and thinkers in a collaborative environment. It featured 19 sessions, including parallel sessions led by various experts. The artworks displayed at the exhibition were also available for sale.

Twelve discussions and creative sessions focusing on various genres of art and literature were held on Friday, while various creative activities, from poetry reciting to storytelling, were held on Thursday. 

Poet and story writer Avaya Shrestha conducted a poetry writing session, while Madan Prize winner Neelam Karki Niharika delivered a presentation on the importance of reading aloud under the theme 'The Magic of Voice.'

 Similarly, Joy Robinson shared experiences related to story writing and narration, and critic Ashok Thapa presented on the profound dimensions of literature in a session titled 'The World Hidden on the Page.'

 Dr. Shiva Rizal, Mahesh Paudyal, Usha Acharya, and Sabitra Pandey presented separate sessions on different topics.

The panel discussion titled 'Literature: A Living Voice Speaking from Generation to Generation' attracted special attention. Moderated by writer and journalist Basanta Basnet, the discussion featured writers Nayanraj Pandey, Keshav Dahal, Bina Thing Tamang, and Kumari Lama. They engaged in an in-depth conversation on how literature is passed down through generations and keeps society alive. The panelists emphasised the need to include untold stories and unheard characters in literature, sparking renewed enthusiasm for literature among students and parents alike.

One of the major highlights of the festival was the official launch of three literary works by Imperial World School students: the Nepali poetry collection Shabda Bagaicha (The Garden of Words), the Nepali short story collection Udaan Katha (The Stories of Flight), and the English short story collection 'My Pen, My World.' 

The school stated that the publications have helped enhance students' writing culture and self-confidence.

The two-day festival not only connected students with words and colours but also provided them with a powerful platform for creative thinking, intellectual discourse, and expression.

The festival was inaugurated on Thursday by the Deputy Mayor of Budhanilkantha Municipality, Anita Lama, while senior poet and folklore expert Tulasi Diwas delivered the keynote speech.

School Principal Junita Karki shared that the festival aimed to preserve and promote art and literature while highlighting their importance among students. 

Sharing her reflections, Omkar Thapa, a Nepali teacher at the school, said that the school believes knowledge can also be gained beyond textbooks.