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| Nepal World | Posted
on 21-Mar-03 09:42 AM
Tara Nath Sharma Shines in North America BY KIRAN SITOULA (EDITOR: NEPALIPOST.COM) In a speech honoring the great poet Robert Frost, President Kennedy said that "A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers". An event honoring one of the greatest contemporary literary figures of Nepal, Professor Dr. Tara Nath Sharma by the Nepalese diaspora in Greater Washington Metropolitan region on March 16, 2003 (at Arlington Central Library) has sincerely managed to live up to its duty to honor this prolific travel writer, essayist, literary critic, author of some 78 books and numerous articles. Sharma, a grey haired, septuagenarian (would be in few years) still has so much strength and steam left in his body that he managed to surprise the audiences of near one hundred by reading an excerpt from his book that described his nationalistic feeling and love for Nepal. Expanding on the theme of the song "Rato ra Chandra Surya, Jangi Nisana Hamro," he managed to recap the proud history and heritage of Nepal and what it means to be a Nepali. The strength of his voice was matched by the energetic movements of his hand, his love for writing and his engraved nationalistic feeling was expressed continuously through his changing facial expressions. His fiery speech captivated the audience who rewarded him with prolonged ovation. He chose poetry recitation to express his sentimental mood that successfully captured the feeling of loneliness experienced by parents when their children go abroad in search of better opportunities. He recited the poem with passion, melancholy eyes and a yearning for return of the good old days, excerpts of which reads as follows: "RittoRitto Bhayo Desa Bedana Matra Urliyo Chadera Jada Bachha le Rudai Dhukur Kurliyo" -Tara Nath Sharma (2058.3.26) In his speech he expressed that, "I have managed to find small Nepal in America as well. I believe that every single Nepali should be here (US) to learn about culture, the trading techniques, witness the advances in scientific and technological innovations and most importantly to acquire higher education." Reciting a quote from Sanskrit he mentioned that every human being is a brother or a sister and that the entire planet is our motherland thus we should seek universal love and peace. One could conclude that after all these years he is still young at heart and feels that he has "miles to go before he sleeps." Equally entertaining were the various poems recited by community members who focused on Sharma's literary contribution and current state of Nepal. Following are the list of entries: Niranjan Man Singh Regmi -Everyone is playing football, Bharati Gautam - Home, Dr. Dig Bdr. Tamang - Negotiation between winter and spring, Hari Bhattarai - One day, one big evening, Kamala Sarup - Come let's write a poem, Sharad Niraula - What shall I tell him, Govind Giri - Love letter from a wounded soldier, Sharala Shrestha - War and Peace, Tika Pun - Difference in feeling, Manju Niraula - Women Symbolism, Mr. Hom Raj Acharya - Tongue went into hibernation, Hom Nath Subedi - New Slavery, Kapil Sitoula - Welcoming TaNa Sharma, Bama Dhungana - Flag of Freedom and Hemanta Shrestha - Myanglung that she hasn't seen, were recited by individuals to honor Dr. Tara Nath Sharma. Puru Subedi of International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), Mr. Rajendra Oli of American Nepal Society (ANS) and Mr. Basanta Shrestha of The Academy of Nepalese Poets and Writers (TANPW) each gave welcoming remarks. Ambassador Jai Pratap Rana, Royal Nepalese Embassy (RNE) blessed Sharma with a "rato tika" on his forehead and offered him flowers. Rana, later in his speech acknowledged and credited his "jharro pan" or "language that is mostly suited to the general mass" for bringing about the lucidity and mellifluousness in Nepali language and literature. Sharma was also presented with one hundred dollars gift certificates to Borders book store contributed by the community members. He was also wrapped with traditional robe "dosalla" on this occasion and was presented with a fabulous certificate on behalf of "The Academy of Nepalese Poets and Writers Society" that detailed his life long contribution for Nepali language and literature. Present in the audience were his former students, community activists and other well wishers. Presiding in the podium were Rajendra Oli (ANS), Jai Pratap Rana (RNE), Hom Nath Subedi and Hem Raj Acharya (TANPW). The program was organized jointly by ANS and TANPW and was conducted by Hemanta Shrestha. From: People's Review (Thursday March 20- March 26, 2003 issue) March 17, 2003 America Nepal Update, http://www.nepal-usa.net Nepal USA Network. |
| FaithHealer | Posted
on 21-Mar-03 10:47 AM
< So then what does that 'reveal' about the Nepali nation ? Little to be proud of - I am afraid. |
| surya | Posted
on 21-Mar-03 04:44 PM
FaithHealer or is it faith less? I would have liked to have gone to this event. Katso miss bhayecha!! Is he still in DC? |
| eyefusion | Posted
on 22-Mar-03 08:33 PM
i am forced to bring this thread back into the front page because frankly, i am appalled by the lack of interest amongst you so called(presumed) academicians regarding Dr. TN sharma. come on, give the guy the respect he deserves.write something.if u guys can have comments on trivial stuffs , i have no doubt u have something to say about Dr. TN sharma. |
| vision | Posted
on 22-Mar-03 09:34 PM
Dr Tara Nath Sharma...good guy indeed. Don't know a whole lot about him, but I've heard he has made significant contribution to Nepali literature. |
| ashu | Posted
on 22-Mar-03 09:49 PM
Honoring Tara Nath Sharma may have a been a big deal to Nepalis in DC, and that's fine and commendable. Congrats to Dr. Sharma for adding this latest feather on his cap. But, quite frankly, such news is NOT a big deal to Nepalis in Nepal, who know that every week (and I am not joking about this) various literary societies and philanthropic orgaizations here actually honor poets, writers and literary types by giving them money, do-salla, citations and plenty of press coverage. On FM radios too, there are always plenty of interviews with writers, poets and so on and on. Still, the puzzle remains: Despite a surfeit of news/publicity about poets and writers in Nepal every week, how come -- if publishers at Sajha Prakashan and Ratna Pustak Bhandar are to be believed -- the book sales of poetry and Nepali writings (except for those set aside as college textbooks) have NOT actually increased in Nepal? I mean, if you print 1100 copies of your poem ko anthology, you give out 1000 AWAY as gifts. Why is that? Could it be -- and please forgive my agnosticism -- that despite much puffed-up publicity, much of contemporary Nepali-language writing (poets, stories, novels, etc) is actually IRRELEVANT to the lives of a number of Nepalis in Nepal? I mean, I see literature being forced upon us like it is cod-liver oil -- bitter but, hey, it's supposed to be good for the health, and the public respects poetry and writing from a safe distance but would rather have NOTHING to do with it directly by actually buying poetry/writing ko books for leisure reading? oohi "some of my good friends are poets and writers in Nepal" ashu ktm,nepal |
| NK | Posted
on 23-Mar-03 10:45 AM
Ashu, I don't know if you can hurl the tag "irrelevance" to nepali literature just because Nepali don't read literature. Or, because they don't buy. You see the same problem here in the States too, especially in poetry genre. The largest circulated poetry magazine, The Poetry Magazine ( or is it of the different name? i cannot recall now..) says the they see number of contribution going higher every month but the subscription to the magazine has been hovering around 10,000 for a long time. Conclusion? People *don't* read! [does that accusation somehow apply to the Sajha "readers" too? :)]Does this mean English poetry is irrlevelant to the English speaking world? ?? what do you say? |
| Puru Subedi | Posted
on 31-Mar-03 11:30 AM
Surya, yes he is still in DC. Here is a video clip of the event broadcast by Sagarmatha Television based in DC: http://www.sagarmathatv.com/program_1.html -PS |
| ashu | Posted
on 31-Mar-03 05:47 PM
NK, I read your comments just now. I will respond to them in due time, hai. It's always fun to do guf--suff with you on this kind of matter. oohi ashu ktm,nepal |