Wambule Rai Poem Collection Book

By Ganesh Rai

Kathmandu, 24 June 2009

Dear all,

We wish to inform you about the recent publication of a Wambule Rai Poem Collection Book. This is the first poem collection since we started with our publications in Wambule Rai language 16 years ago. The collection consists of 57 poems written by 35 poets, together with photos and a brief introduction.

Our first publication, Libju-Bhumju tri-quarterly magazine, was launched in VS 2050 and has been published until now, VS 2065/66. Later we started Kawa monthly magazine and formed the Wambule Rai Society of Nepal (WAMRAS) to preserve our language, culture and more. In these 16 years, the Dutch scholar Mr. Jean Robert Opgenort from Leiden University got his PhD in Wambule Rai language and culture. WAMRAS has published the Wambule Rai Sabdakosh (dictionary), the Ramdale Salang album (Wambule songs) and the book Wambule Rai Jati. The 10th Wambule Rai Poem Content was held in several Wambule villages in Okhaldhunga district, in the eastern part of Nepal.

This year, we prepared this new Poem Collection Book and we recorded one more song album, called Langsuri (Ornament), which is sung by the Wambule singers Mr. Badajit Rai, Mr. Indrajaba Rai, Ms Karkuma Rai and Ms. Rama Rai. Lyricists are Mr. Byakul Maila (writer of the National Anthem of Nepal – Sayaũ thuṅgā phūlkā hāmī euṭā mālā Nepālī), Mr. Subha Chandra Rai, Mr. Jiwan Hatacho and Mr. Dhruba Sangyam Rai.