Nepali literature blooming in Diaspora
By Indra Adhikari
The poetry festival organised recently by the
International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) in Baltimore,
USA, alongside the convention of the Association of
Nepalis in America (ANA) saw volumes of literary
recitations that reflected deep feelings of nationalism,
nationality and Nepaliness.
In fact, the Diasporic Nepali literature has superseded
the conventional wisdom of evoking feelings on love,
sympathy, nature or social evils over issues of
nationality and ethnic identity in literary works. Most
creations from the Diaspora speak of the importance of
being Nepali in a distant land.
The history of Nepali literature getting beyond the seas
is very short yet achievements are encouraging. Despite
their busy life, the enthusiasm of Nepalis in foreign land
towards Nepali literature speaks of their love for
nationality and national language and identity.
"There is a greater Nepal beyond physical Nepal. Nepali
literature documents their feelings and experiences and
brings them closer," says Hom Nath Subedi, a pioneering
figure of Nepali Literature in Diaspora.
The role of INLS which he established in 1992, which has
now expanded to different countries, has been very strong
in bringing about consciousness on Nepali literature
beyond Nepal. Despite resource crunch, limited readership,
absence of regular literary gatherings, limited time to
spend for literary creations and marketing Nepali
literature is gradually making its base within the
Diaspora.
Even so, Nepali literature is not limited to Nepali
community. Translations of Nepali creations have drawn
good number of audiences overseas. Ram Babu Subedi, who
recently returned from Switzerland trip, says he met many
non-Nepalis having interest in Nepali literature in that
country. "In one of my poems translated into English, I
received better applause on recitation than I received in
my original text," he recounts.
An example of interest of foreigners in Nepali literature
is evident in North Carolina State University (NCSU) where
Dr Harihar Bhattarai heads the Nepali language department.
Half of the students enrolled for Nepali language classes
are non-Neplais, Bhattarai had told Nepalnews earlier.
America, having highest number of Nepali migrants, sees
bigger number of literary activities. Despite being fringe
and scattered, Nepalis in other countries are increasingly
getting involved in expanding the Nepali literature. For
instance, Finland and Ireland have a limited number of
Nepalis, getting together is often by chance. However,
Devi Sharma from Finland says their interest towards
national language and literature is strong and is growing
stronger.
It is not only the matter of interest and hobby, it is the
matter of identity. Prof Mohan Situala, who spent years in
USA working for expansion of Nepali literature, says the
pursuit to Nepali literature is the result of
consciousness and sentiments that Diaspora developed over
the last 4-5 generations.
"They (Nepalis in US) 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," Sitaula adds.
Hom Subedi makes similar observation, saying, "As each
generation learns Nepali and reads Nepali literature, they
will be able to understand their roots and global Nepali
society. Nepali literature is important to document
experiences of Nepali people in this greater Nepali nation
so that Nepali identity is kept alive for many generations
to come."
Online blogs, websites, online radios and various
publications in Diaspora have been instrumental for the
expansion Nepali literature around the globe. To name a
few - prabasinepali.com, nepalipost.com, online Nepali
sahitya manch, samakalinsahitya.com, nepalquatar.com,
America Darpan.
The Nepali communities in Europe have also come forward to
give supporting hands in putting the Nepali literature
before the global community. A number of organisations
aiming to promote Nepali literature in this continent have
appeared and literary activities and publications have
been witnessed of late.
Gulf countries, South-East Asian nations also comprise a
big chuck of Nepali population abroad thereby prompting
more efforts to expand Nepali literature in that part of
the world. United Arab Emirates and Japan have been
projected to be the other hotspots of Nepali literature
where the number of Nepalis is increasing at a faster
rate.
Now it is not only Nepali products going global but Nepali
literature too is fetching its market. To say the least,
Nepali literature has been a key to bridging the
differences among Nepalis abroad, strengthening the bond
of oneness and one identity. nepalinews.com July 16 08
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