Nepalese celebrate 200th birth anniversary of Bhanu Bhakta

EMN Kohima, July 13 The Nepali/Gorkha community residing in the state capital celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of ‘Aadi Kavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya’. Organised by Gorkha Sahitya Kala Sanstha (GSKS) Kohima, the celebration at Gorkha Public Panchayat (GPP) Hall, Chandmari Kohima was graced by Col. NK Gurung (Adm Commandant) HQ 5 Sector Assam Rifles and Major RB Thapa of 19th Assam Rifles as chief guest and guest of honour respectively. The North Eastern Region Service Nepali Association (NERSNA) held the celebration at State Academy Hall with Retd. Wing Cdr and Deputy Director Rajya Sainik Welfare Board Rajeev Dong and Inspector PHQ Milan Sonam as chief guest and guest of honour respectively. The significance of the celebration was shared by NERSNA vice president Bijay Rai while brief life sketch of poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya was highlighted by Puran Poudel. The celebration also felicitated successful persons in the different fields including presentation of “Balkrishna Samajsewar Puruskar”. The function was chaired by NERSNA president Dilip Ghimire and NERSNA general secretary Anil Chhetri as host. Vote of thanks was proposed by NERSNA organizing secretary Hema Kumari. The celebrations were also marked by recitation of Ramayana and cultural extravaganza. Bhanu Bhakta Acharya is the most renowned and famous poet of Nepalese. He was born on the July 13, 1814 in Chundi Ramgha of Tanahu district in Nepal and was educated at home by his grandfather Krishna Acharya. 29th Asar is commemorated as “Bhanu Jayanti” (usually on 13 July), the birthday of Bhanubhakta Acharya, who is also more popularly known as “Nepal ko Adikavi” (Nepal’s first poet). Bhanubhakta was a first Nepali poet who translated the great epic “Ramayana” from Sanskrit to Nepali. His writing was significant in the then Nepalese society where common people did not have access to this great epic. Only people belonging to Brahmin families were educated and could read and write Sanskrit. His translation of Ramayan in Nepali language was a milestone in Nepali literature as it was written in common language understood by all. He died in 1868 as a simple man who did not know he would be among the most revered poets of Nepal.