NS 1144 YenLaaGaa Dvitiyaa
12th September 2022
World Newah Organization (WNO) celebrated 155th birth anniversary of Nepal’s MahaKavi (Great Poet) SiddhiDas Mahaju (1867-1929) in the presence of 50 guests invited from all over the world. Renowned poet laureate Mahaju who wrote in Nepalbhasa has dozens of published and unpublished literary works to his credit. In the presence of Senior activist/journalist Mr Malla K Sundar, academician Mrs Prem Hira Tuladhar, LokKavi Mr RajBhai Jakami, and Singer Pabitra Kasaa, the event was attended by guests from various countries including the USA, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands and Nepal.
The literary event started with Nepalbhasa poems recited by the students from Jagat Sundar Bwonekuthi Ms Sushma Ghale, Ms Rabina Shrestha, and Ms Sajagta Manandhar. Their poems generously praised the personality and memorable works of late poet Mahaju.
Vice-President of Nepalbhasa Academy and renowned author Mr Malla K Sundar emphasised on the sheer number of 70 books written by Poet Mahaju, who had to undergo adverse economic conditions and official oppression during his lifetime. Mr Malla also reminded of Mahaju’s struggle to restore Nepalbhasa as the popular language, and added that Poet Mahaju is the appropriate role model for all Newah activists.
A newly released song dedicated to SiddhiDas Mahaju penned by renowned Poet Durga Lal Shrestha was played at the event. The song had vocals by singers Pabitra Kasaa, Deepa Maharjan, AmoghBir Bajracharya, Siddhartha Shakya, Anu Shakya, Sonika Manandhar and Niva Dangol.
Former Reader at Padma Kanya Campus Mrs Prem Hira Tuladhar presented about the life and times of Poet Mahaju whose important works include Siddhi Ramayan and Siddhi Vyakaran. Mrs Tuladhar added that a postal stamp, a street in Kathmandu and statues in public spaces commemorate late Poet Mahaju.
LokKavi RajBhai Jakami expressed some important features of Poet SiddhiDas Mahaju’s exemplary works. Poet Jakami suggested that Poet Mahaju’s popular lines “Bhasa Mwaasa Jaati Mwai” (A race will survive if its language will) is a slogan that is not only important for the Newah people but also for all indigenous people of Nepal. He added that Mahaju was one of the foremost in expressing gender equality as long back as early 20th century in Nepal. Praising Mahaju’s belief in economic independence of Nepal, Mr Jakami recited his poem dedicated to the late poet.
The event was conducted by senior journalist Mrs Sylvia Rajopadhaya as a special episode of WNO Daily Broadcast over a virtual meeting set live on Social media. Mrs Rajopadhaya also delivered a summary of the Nepalbhasa speeches in English. WNO President Mr Sanyukta Shrestha gave vote of thanks to all participants of the event.
