Diaspora is becoming conscious about Nepali literature

- Prof Mohan Sitaula

Nepali literature is slowly but surely making attracting attending form the Nepali Diaspora and the Washington-based International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) is taking good initiatives to preserve the Nepali language and cultures among the Nepali expatriates. Established in 1992, the non-profit literary organisation is run through volunteer contribution by Nepalis. Prof Mohan Sitaula, who worked for almost four decades at the Tribhuvan University (TU), has been leading the INLS for the last few years. Winner of several literary awards, Sitaula authored 8 books in Nepali and English; 10 other books ready for publication in both the languages; and has edited volumes of literary creations. With the expansion of Nepali Diaspora, Nepali literature is reaching far and wide, he observes. Sitaula, who is in Kathmandu currently, talked to Indra Adhikari of Nepalnews about the place of Nepali literature in Diaspora, INLS efforts and the response of the Nepali expatriates towards the INLS efforts. Excerpts:

How conscious you think US-based Nepalis are about their language and culture?

The Nepalis in the USA are very conscious and sentimental about it. One could say that by now - in around five decades - some 4-5 generations have been enjoying American life and contributing in two fronts. They are, on the one hand, to the cosmopolitan American society and on the other back to their own countries of origin - not only Nepal. Now it is the 3rd, 4th and 5th generations that are making new moves in the States. The cross breeds also are making their nice appearances. The interest and use of Nepali language and culture varies in great degree in these different generations.

Nepali-ness is fading away among the new ones who take America as their birth place or a place of personal growth from the early childhood. It is because of the schooling (which is very good from academic point of view) where Nepali is not taught and locally available social pairs and playing partners who mostly happen to be the children of non-Nepalis. The parents also do not speak Nepali with them. It is either they have no time to give to the children or that they themselves want to learn English for practical purposes. American Nepalis Society (ANS) has been helpful in bringing Nepalis together and organising interactions with other cultural communities. International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) has been taking practical and serious care of Nepali language, cultures and literature. It is helping the Nepalis intact and unite and making the Nepali community culturally vibrant. Association of the Nepalis in America (ANA), Association of the Nepalis of the Mid–West America (ANMA), Nepalis Association of South–East America (NASA) are also active in promoting Nepali language and culture.

How fruitful have INLS attempts been in adding to their attachment to Nepali language and literature?

It has come forward to maximise the use of Nepali and other languages of Nepal, literatures and cultures within the Diaspora. But we have not been so much effective to conduct special programmes to focus on other languages of Nepal without experts. But, on the other hand, many cultural activities of diverse nature and characters are quite often staged in the USA. INLS has about 42 chapters around the world. All of them perform various literary and occasional festive and literary and cultural programmmes. We have also started a campaign to construct the Bhanubhakta Memorial Building. INLS gives biannual ‘best book’ awards for adults, women and new writers separately and two annual awards for literary journalism. It organises poetry competitions with prizes for children and adults separately and other occasional recital and cultural – songs and dances, fine art – programmes. These activities have been highly productive and encouraging.

What are the INLS Nepali language schools doing and planning for future?

INLS runs such schools in its various chapters. We aim at making the Nepalis intact in their countries of arrival while organising them and provide opportunity to show their talents or learn new things by performing and observing their cultural, literary activities in order to preserve and develop cultural identities. We assist the children, women and the Nepali writers at large by encouraging them in a meaningful way.

Who attend these schools and why?

These are not the credit courses of educational streams like in Cornwall, Nevada, North Carolina universities. Students of many age groups enroll in our schools, but mostly children and teens. Run on Saturdays or Sundays, dance and musical classes, cultural information and Yoga are taught. Volunteers conduct the classes. Many American friends have been co-operating in these efforts. Even the local community members support them.

How do you find the living conditions of Nepalis in the US?

Parents remain busy. They depend on schools for the care of children during the day. At home and in the neighborhood the conversation is generally in English. Parents now have started speaking Nepali but children find this difficult. So there is a gap. INLS attempts to fill this gap through courses on Nepali language and cultures, encouraging the parents and the children to speak Nepali, by organizing literary and cultural programmes and publication of journals among others. Of late, children have grown inquisitiveness to reading and speaking Nepali at least at home.

INLS has expanded its global network to strengthen the status of Nepali literature around the world. How successful has it been?

It has been successful. INLS is the widest Nepali literary and cultural organisation run by Nepalis. INLS breaths its living to the full in those places where the INLS Headquarters and its chapters and the INLS- media partners are active in making the Nepali communities vibrant as well as updated with their national and human sensibility through the literary and cultural affairs. I can very confidently assert that the chapters have effectively and substantially actuated this. The various literary and cultural activities are carried out. Publications of creative and critical writings, journals, books, e- journals are brought in. The literary journals like the INSIGHT of INLS–Headquarters, Lali Gurash of German Chapter, SAGAR of Florida Chapter, some 30 books published by INLS, about 15 different big and small–size literary annual and biannual awards and many occasional prizes are be the instances of our activism The literary festivals we organised by the INLS have had a certain degree of impact on young Nepalis living abroad.

What INLS plans for future?

There are challenges before us to gain recognition of Nepali language in the international circle. I am confident that we do have excellent brains both in the Diaspora and in Nepal to face these challenges. We have great literary creations but we are lacking in translation so that they could reach to other ethnic groups. INLS is trying to contribute to this as much as it can. However, the government and responsible authorities are not serious about this issue. Bhanubhakata Memorial Building or the Kavi Kunja in the USA will add to our efforts for promotion of Nepali literature and cultures. Children’s park and park for the adults and elderly people will also be developed and Nepali theatre and other activities will be conducted.

What Nepalis in America think about the present situation in Nepal?

As the citizens of the free world, they believe in justice and democracy. They are positive about the progress in the ongoing peace process and formation of the interim government in Nepal. I think Nepal is heading towards development and prosperity.

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