Chalise’s Rangabhed Launched

Kathmandu, Feb 20: Nepal’s first and only literary weekly newspaper, Kapan Baneshwor Rashtriya Sahityik Saptahik marked the publication of its 600th issue by launching the short story collection Rangabhed by litterateur Mahendra Chalise at Sahitya Sadan, Ramhiti, on Wednesday, Feb 18.

 Senior literary journalist Rochak Ghimire attended the programme as chief guest.

Managing editor and litterateur Ganga Karmacharya Poudel chaired the event.

Mayor of Gokarneshwor Municipality, Dipak Risal,  Chair Rajiv Thapa of Gokarneshwor-9, author Mahendra Chalise and his spouse Indira Chalise, including reviewers Thakur Sharma and Gopi Mainali, and publisher-editor Nibandha Acharya jointly unveiled the book.

Author Mahendra Chalise delivered his welcome remarks with a writer’s note and organisers opened the programme with a lyrical presentation based on short fiction.

Reviewers Thakur Sharma and Gopi Mainali offered critical observations before organisers unveiled the book, which gave the event a distinct format from the conventional launch ceremony.

After the unveiling, Chair Ganga Poudel, author’s spouse Indira Chalise and chief guest Rochak Ghimire honoured Mahendra Chalise with a rudraksha garland.

Mayor Dipak Risal and Ward Chair Rajiv Thapa said Gokarneshwor Municipality continues to work for literature and literary figures and will keep supporting them.

Yuvraj Mainali, Ramesh Khanal and Shankar Bharati extended their best wishes at the event. N.B. Janakpure sang a song written by Mahendra Chalise.

Chief guest Rochak Ghimire said bringing out a literary weekly, particularly one with a news focus, and taking it to its 600th issue stands equal to climbing a mountain.

He added that Rangabhed appears more refined than Chalise’s first short story collection.

Chair Ganga Karmacharya Poudel said the publication of the weekly stands as a collective effort and credited the Kaba Group for working together to reach the 600th issue.

Alok Chalise conducted the programme and publisher-editor Nibandha Acharya delivered the vote of thanks.

Rangabhed, published by Kapan Baneshwor Rashtriya Sahityik Saptahik, marks Chalise’s thirteenth published work including 65 short stories.