Ode to the Yugkavi

our manasalu blog

KATHMANDU, JUN 27 -

Known for his powerful patriotic verse, Siddhicharan Shrestha, Nepal’s Yugkavi, the poet of his generation, inspired many a revolutionary in his day, and continues to do so even today, more than a century after his death. “Kranti bina shanti hudaina” (there can never be peace without revolution) wrote Siddhicharan, and these lines became the anthem for a revolution; one that toppled the Rana regime and brought democracy to Nepal.  

The fourth edition of Poemandu—a celebration of poetry and verse as organised by the Embassy of India in association with the BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, in collaboration with the Yugkavi Siddhicharan Foundation—paid homage to the late poet’s legacy, with numerous well-known Nepali poets, writers and litterateurs reciting original poetry inspired by Siddhicharan’s philosophy and verse. The event, which took place at the Nepal Bharat Library, New Road, on June 24, saw a loyal reiteration of the late poet’s philosophy and beliefs as all those gathered paid homage to the literary stalwart.

Held under the chairmanship of author Modnath Prashit, the event saw three generations of poets coming together to honour Siddhicharan’s legacy. All their poems were taken from Yugkavi Siddhicharan: Ek Saya Ek Kavii: Ek Saya Ek Kavita, and Shyam Das Vaishnav, the oldest among them was the first to recite his verse titled Suva Siddhicharan. Noted authors Durga Lal Shrestha, Yuyutsu RD Sharma, Gyanu Bidrohi, Ananda Dev Bhatta, Ratna Birahee Ghimire, Gagri Sharma, Devi Nepal, Rajendra Thapa and Tejashwor Babu Gango and Abhay Kumar, an Indian poet-diplomat, were among those who recited their poetry.

The event also saw the release of Siddhicharan Ki Kavya Sadhana, translated from Nepali to Hindi by Usha Thakur (PhD). The Indian ambassador Jayant Prasad, chancellor of the Nepal Academy Bairagi Kaila, and eminent poet and lyricist Durga Lal Shrestha, who is also vice president of the Yugkavi Siddhicahran Foundation, jointly launched the book.

Siddhicharan Ki Kavya Sadhana dwells on the life of Siddhicharan Shrestha, particularly his engaging, alluring personality. Mohan P Lohani (PhD) in talking about the book spoke of how Siddhicharan was the only Nepali poet to “bring revolution in the country through his poems.”  

It was particularly delightful to witness the Indian ambassador reciting Siddhicharan’s Euta Hawa, Euta Pani at the programme. Ambassador Prasad also talked about how grateful he was to be part of a commemoratory programme for one of the greatest figures in Nepali literature, and lauded his contributions to Nepali society. The most moving part of the event though was certainly saved for last. The Yugkavi’s son, Rabi Charan Shrestha, recited a poem he had composed for his father, and this was followed by a recitation of Siddhicharan, composed by the Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota.