Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K's collection of poems on Nepal titled Jatra was released at a function at the City Museum, Kathmandu, today by Nepal's Vice President Parmanand Jha.
The Vice President also inaugurated an exhibition of poetry-paintings on Nepal by Abhay K and the Italian artist Tarshito on the occasion after the book launch.
"While we as Nepalese haven't been able to visit many historical places of Nepal, poet Abhay K took time out his hectic schedules as a diplomat and painted Nepal's beauty with such grace through his words. I congratulate him for leaving us with such a beautiful collection of poems on Nepal and wish him every success ahead of his life," he said while releasing the book.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Ranjit Rae said: "I haven't yet read Jatra in Nepali but have read this collection in English. In one word I would describe his poems as elegant."
"In the Foreign Service many of us absorb ourselves just within our profession so much that we tend to overlook the finer things in our lives often. Abhay makes a beautiful balance to give enough space to his passion, his creative endeavors," he added.
Noted playwright and professor Abhi Subedi shared how the author in his three years tenure in Kathmandu has successfully contributed in promoting Nepalese literature in international arena.
"As soon as he joined his deputation in Kathmandu he came to all small and big literary programmes in Nepal to understand the arena here and to get to know Nepali writers. His initiative of Poemandu, a monthly recitation of poetry in Indian library is one major example to that. I see this man as a prolific and critically acclaimed poet who for profession is involved somewhere," he said.
The Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Music Drama and Dance and noted poet, Sarubhakta, added: "I am amazed how in not more than four to five lines each poem in Jatra powerfully hits your mind and soul. We call this kind of poems a muktak and in muktak it is very difficult to maintain that stroke in every line. Jatra takes us beautifully in every aspect of Nepalese Jatra and will remain one of the most visual collections of Nepalese poetry in our literature."
Jatra is a collection of poems on major landmarks and heritage sites of Nepal as well as key historical personalities and festivals by poet Abhay K written during his three year stay in Nepal.
Through these collected poems originally written in English under title 'The Eight-Eyed Lord of Kathmandu', he attempts to paint a poetic-portrait of Nepal. These poems have been translated into Nepali by noted author Kishore Nepal and has been published by We Read - an imprint of Kathalaya Inc, which has earlier published books such CDOka Satra Barsha, Sakshar Sansar Tira and T-20 Bishwo Cup Cricket Ka Saathiharu among others.
The book has been beautifully illustrated by well-known Italian artist Tarshito. He had earlier collaborated with poet Abhay K on poetry-paintings on Delhi. Abhay K is a noted Indian poet-diplomat, recipient of the SAARC Literary Award and nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2013. He is the author of two memoirs and five poetry collections. His recent poetry collection The Seduction of Delhi has turned out to be a poetry bestseller. His poems have appeared in major literary journals across the world and have been translated into Russian, Italian, Chinese, Hindi, Nepali. He is also lyricist of the Earth Anthem and SAARC Song. He has been recently appointed as the Director or The Nehru Centre, London.
