Kavigosthi 2065 held in Sokmatar

By Ganesh Rai
Hilepani, 20 October 2008

Mr. B. B. (Nirman) Rai has won the first prize in the 10th Wambule Rai Language Poetry Contest 2065, which was held October 18, 2008 (2065 Katik 2, or Yelabar Sambat 5068). The event took place in Sokmatar village, which lies near the Dudhkosi river. Poet Byakul Maila (Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rai), lyricist of the National Anthem of Nepal, was born here.

It was the third time that Mr. Nirman Rai participated in the event. The last two years, Mr. Rai came in second. Nirman is a young and genetic Wambule Rai poet. He is a student in the Masters of Business Studies at Tribhuvan University of Nepal. Rai is from Umbu VDC Ward No. 4, Okhaldhunga district, in the eastern part of Nepal.

The second prize was won by Ms Subha Kumari Rai. She is a young and genetic Wambule Rai poet. She has participated at the Wambule Rai Poetry Contest since VS 2055, when the first contest was held. She studies in the Bachelor of Education and holds a position as teacher in Hilepani village, where she was born.

The third prize was won by Mr. Mani Raj Rai from Umbu VDC, who participated for the first time. Five poets were awarded a consolation prize. They are Ms. Hira Maya Rai, who won a second prize in a previous contest, Master Namesh Rai, a young poet who studies in class 9, Mr. Pabi Raj Rai, who won a consolation prize in a previous contest, Mr. Rajan Rai, who won a third prize in a previous contest, and Mr. Narad Rai from Khotang, Diktel district. The first prize was Rs. 500, second prize Rs. 300, third prize Rs. 200 and consolation prize Rs. 100. Chief Guest Mr. Laghu Dhan Rai, former Member of Parliament, presented the prizes and certificates to the winners and participants.

The poetry contest was organized by the Wambule Rai Society of Nepal (WAMRAS) and by Wambule Rai Literature Publication/Libju-Bhumju magazine. The program was held at Sokmatar Youth Club. The event took place on the occasion of the late pioneer poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s birthday. This year was the 100th birthday of Devkota.

180 poets from Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Udaypur and Sundhuli districts participated at this year’s Wambule Rai Poetry Contest. Among the poets, there were 55 woman. Six year old Ikswam Hang Rai, who was one of the about 40 participating school children, recited a children’s poem.

On the occasion, Mr. Man Bahadur Rai, former Chair person of Thakle Village Development Committee (VDC), announced the foundation of the Bir Singh-Rameshwori-Maheshwori Rai Smriti Kosh 2065 Trust. The trust is set up in memory of Mr. Man Bahadur Rai’s father and two mothers, the late Mr. Bir Singh Rai and his wives Rameshwori Rai and Maheshwori Rai. Trust is founded by Mr. Man Bahadur Rai, Mr. Bhabi Lal Rai, Mr. Laghu Dhan Rai, Mr. Abi Nath Rai and the late Mr. Som Bahadur Rai. The total sum is Rs. 50,000. The sum is to be used for the promotion of Wambule Rai language, literature, art and culture, and will be made available to researchers, writers and artists.

More than a thousand people, including many children and elderly people, gathered on the occasion of the poetry contest. The program lasted for 15 hours and went deep into the night. The poets, artists and singers presented their works of art in their own Wambule Rai mother-tongue. The many jokes in the tones of our beloved Wambule language brought laughter to all.

The program was attended by Mr. Moti Raj Rai, former Chair Person of Manebhanjyang VDC and presided over by Mr. Raksha Man Rai. The jury consisted of Mr. Peshal Rai and Mr. Birja Man Rai and was presided over by Mr. Mahajit Rai. Masters of Ceremonies were Mr. Ganesh Rai, program co-ordinator and General Secretary of WAMRAS, and Mr. Kshema Raj Rai. Ms. Ichchha Maya Rai, Mr. Diwa Raj Rai, Mr. Dilip Kumar Rai, Mr. Ram Kumar Rai, secretary of WAMRAS, and Mr. Chandra Bahadur Rai, committee member of WAMRAS, also attended the program.

The Wambule Rai Poetry Contest started in VS 2055 in Hilepani village and has since then been organised in other Wambule Rai villages annually in October. In their poems, the poets contribute to the issues on the preservation of the Wambule Rai language and literature, cultural values, historical and mythical identities.

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