Nepali Writers and Literature in Australia – My Vision, Plan, and Action: Journal 33

16 March 2026 – 15 April 2026 | Personal Journal 33

I welcome readers to the 33rd edition of my monthly journal, which covers activities and reflections. As many of you know, this journal is dedicated to showcasing and promoting Australia-based Nepali literature and writers. This initiative aligns with my vision of fostering a vibrant, connected, and collaborative literary community. I warmly invite everyone to join me on this journey and share their valuable insights to enrich our collective learning and creative endeavours.

INLS Children’s Literary Program - Saturday, 21 March 2026

The Children’s Literary Program, organised by the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) NSW Chapter on Saturday, 21 March 2026, at Grand Palace Function Centre, Auburn, was successfully held with the aim of nurturing children’s literary talents.

Around 20 children showcased their creativity through poetry, short stories, essays, personal reflections, and dance performances. In recognition of their efforts, all participating children, as well as those present on the occasion, were awarded certificates and prizes by Nari Nikunja NSW Coordinator Asha Shrestha and senior literary figure Saurav Kiran Shrestha.

Heartfelt congratulations to the President Dr. Prakash Poudel, General Secretary Bhabana Parajuli, Jenisha Gautam, the organizing committee for the successful event. And special thanks to Raju Manandhar and Lukla TV for media coverage and encouragement.

Nepali Literature and Cultural Expression – Literary Festival 2026- Saturday, 28 March 2026

March 2026 became a very special month for Nepali literature and authors in Sydney. More than 100 participants, including children, attended the Nepali Literature and Cultural Expression – Literary Festival 2026, held on 28 March 2026 for the first time at Max Webber Library, Blacktown, on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

This may have been the first event in Australia where 16 published authors from a Nepali language background were honoured and felicitated on a single stage, with their books also showcased.
The event was successfully held after a long process of detailed planning and the enthusiastic efforts of the working committee, authors, poets, children, and parents. The event was directed by Saurav Kiran Shrestha, coordinated by Sanu Ghimire, and emceed by Divya Shri Acharya. Special thanks to Prakirti Shrestha, President of BNC; Prakash Poudel, President of INLS; Suman Chhetri, President of ABN; and Richa Gautam for their valuable support and leadership in their respective sessions of the program.

This event was organised in collaboration with the Blacktown Nepalese Community, the International Nepali Literary Society – Sydney Chapter, and the Association of Bhutanese in Australia, with support from Blacktown City Library.

The program ran for almost four hours and was conducted in the following four sessions.

1. Authors’ Recognition and Book Showcase

In the opening session, we felt privileged to have Councillor Susai Benjamin OAM from Blacktown City Council as a special guest. In his presence, we appreciated and acknowledged all participating authors — Om Dhungel, Janaki Paudel, Nisprabh Saji, Sanu Ghimire, Shweta Mainali, Sima Roshi, Pragya Paneru, Prakash Panthi, Asmit Regmi, Kedar Pokhrel, Bharat Rai, Mamata Tiwari, Prabin Tandon, Kumar Sharma, Bhabana Parajuli, Maheshwar Sharma, and Saurav Kiran Shrestha — for their continuous contribution to the Nepali language and for promoting literature within Australia’s diverse multicultural society.

2. Poetry Recitation
   The second session of the event, dedicated to poetry recitation, was a grand success. It was marked by both the high quality of the poems and the powerful performances of 20 poets: Shweta Mainali, Sanu Ghimire, Nisprabh Saji, Prakash Poudel, Bishal Khadka, Pragya Paneru, Badal Phokhrel, Kumar Sharma, Bharat Rai, Janaki Paudel, Prabin Tandon, Bhabana Parajuli, Buddhi Sagar, Richa Gautam, Santosh Timilsina-Sharma, Komal Khatiwada, Prakash Panthi, Raju Manandhar, Kamal Shishir, and Asmit Regmi.

Guest singer Mathura Shrestha also performed the song Jahan Chhan Buddhaka Aankha. The audience received every recitation with great enthusiasm and appreciation.
Special thanks to Sanu ji and Shweta ji for their extra effort in delivering a meaningful and memorable poetry performance. It was noted that their performance received more than 4,280 likes, was shared by 820 people, and viewed over 108,000 times on Kitab Adda’s TikTok platform.

Sincere thanks also to Abbas Raza Alvi for his inspiring presence and poetry recitation. A respected community leader, poet, musician, and writer, he creates in Urdu and Hindi and uses arts and culture to foster harmony and reduce social divisions. We hope Nepali poets will have opportunities to collaborate with him in creative initiatives in the future.

3. Cultural Performance

The third session of the event was both entertaining and uplifting. Spectacular cultural performances were presented by children representing the second generation of the Nepali and Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community. It was truly a proud moment for parents and the audience to witness the passing of cultural values, language, and traditions to the younger generation.

This cultural session was coordinated by Samjhana Pathshala under the Blacktown Nepali Community. Dance performances were also presented by children representing the Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community, with support from the Bhutanese Association in Australia. Likewise, students and teacher Sabhyata from Pahilo Step – The Nepali Dance School also performed beautifully.

Sincere thanks to all the children, their parents, and teachers for continuing to encourage children to speak the Nepali language at home and to participate in Nepali gatherings and events. It was truly a proud moment for all of us.

4. Panel Discussion on the Book Mahabi Mika

The final session of the event was designed for interested participants, serious writers, authors, and lovers of literature. This session featured a critical panel discussion on the novel Mahabi Mika, written by Sydney-based Nepali author Prakash Panthi.

The novel has become one of the most widely discussed books among Nepali readers in both Australia and Nepal. The panel included author Prakash Panthi, along with Dev Pathak and Pragya Paneru. The discussion was moderated by Sanu Ghimire.

During the session, several important questions were raised. One focused on what inspired the author to write Mahabi Mika. In response, Prakash Panthi shared that he had read several works of world literature based on magical realism and surrealism, which inspired him to write the novel. He also revealed that he completed the book in just 14 days.

Dev Pathak observed that Nepali literature has long been dominated by writing centred mainly on social issues. He noted that readers are now looking for something with a different flavour, and in that context, Mahabi Mika offers a fresh and distinctive literary experience. He also described the novel as mind-bending in its imagination and approach.
Pragya Paneru reflected on how women characters were portrayed in the novel and examined whether the writer had done justice to them.

 

When the floor was opened for the Q&A session, participants raised an interesting question about whether rewriting or editing a published book is advisable. This could become an important topic for a future event, exploring national and international practices and their outcomes in greater depth.
Thanks to all the enthusiastic participants, panellists, and the moderator for making this session highly interactive and engaging. Their thoughtful contributions made the discussion lively and inspiring, encouraging other writers to explore unique subjects and styles in their own writing.

INLS – Sydney Chapter: Literary Souvenir Update
As a member of the editorial group, I have contributed my time and skills to the development of the souvenir/magazine, helping ensure the quality of articles, poems, and other creative works. This time, I focused on advising and working on the magazine’s cover design and naming, drafting the editorial, and reviewing articles collected from past presidents of the organisation.
I sincerely appreciate Prakash Poudel (President, INLS) for his dedication and hard work in bringing the magazine into the final shape and standard expected for launch during the INLS AGM in April 2026.

This month has been deeply meaningful for me as I witnessed the growing strength of Nepali literature and culture in Sydney. Seeing children confidently express themselves through language, poetry, and performance gave me hope for the future of our community. The Literary Festival showed that collaboration, vision, and dedication can create something historic and inspiring. I felt proud to contribute through planning, coordination, and editorial work while learning from writers, artists, and community leaders around me. Special thanks to Sanu Ghimire ji for always standing for the cause and working together to promote and showcase Nepali writers and literature in Australia. I truly appreciate her leadership,  readiness to contribute, dedication, and passion for Nepali literature and language. These experiences reminded me that preserving language and literature requires collective effort, persistence, and generosity. I remain motivated to continue this journey.

Nepali Writers and Literature in Australia – My Vision, Plan, and Action: Journal 32

16 December 2025 – 15 March 2026 | Personal Journal 32

I welcome readers to the 32th edition of my journal. Since its inception, this journal used to be published monthly; however, from December 2025, I couldn’t maintain that continuity. That does not mean my engagement has decreased—rather, my involvement and participation have been as strong as ever. The only challenge was finding the time to write and publish the journal due to other life priorities.

Please accept this quarterly edition, which covers activities and reflections from mid-December 2025 to mid-March 2026. I hope you will enjoy, appreciate, and connect with it as much as before.

As you know, this journal is dedicated to showcasing and promoting Australia-based Nepali literature and writers. This initiative aligns with my vision of fostering a vibrant, connected, and collaborative literary community. I warmly invite everyone to join me on this journey and share their invaluable insights to enrich our collective learning and creative endeavours.

Catch-up with Anjana – Monday, 5 January 2026

It was a refreshing moment to catch up with Anjana Karki, an emerging and passionate poet and storyteller. I have always admired her bold writing on women’s empowerment. During her visit to Sydney, we captured some moments in Parramatta and revisited the time we spent in 2024/2025 working on creative initiatives with WestWords, including our dedicated efforts on the story writing workshop.

Our creative women’s group remains hopeful about presenting our collective work in 2026—what an achievement that would be!

Kitab Adda Opening – Sunday, 25 January 2026

Finally, Sydney now has a place where Nepali literature enthusiasts can visit and purchase books. KITAB ADDA officially opened on Sunday, 25 January 2026. Nepali books are also now accessible online

( https://kitabadda.com.au/ ). 

 

Thank you to Shweta Mainali for inviting us to witness something that has come to life through your courage and initiative. This is a significant step that will contribute greatly to Nepali literature and culture.

Wishing you continued success—it was truly a pleasure to be part of this moment.

Book Launch: Company by Kumar Sharma – Saturday, 8 February 2026

The book launch of Company, a novel by Kumar Sharma, was held at Blacktown City Library, drawing more than 30 attendees for a lively two-hour literary event. The novel was jointly unveiled by Gargi Sharma, Gyanuwakar Paudel, Kumar Sharma, Sanu Ghimire, and Shaurav Kiran Shrestha.

The program was moderated by Sanu Ghimire, who guided discussions on the themes, characters, and literary significance of the book. Authors and critics Prakash Panthi and Pragya Paneru shared insightful reflections, while senior poet and ghazalist Gyanuwakar Paudel delivered a blessing and keynote address. The event was energetically hosted by Pratigya Adhikari.

Kumar Sharma, who has lived in Sydney for nearly a decade and currently works with Australia Post, has a strong background in journalism before transitioning to fiction writing.

Set in Seoul, South Korea, Company explores the intertwined lives of a student and a worker. The novel presents a coming-of-age narrative of a young man who chooses to follow his inner calling rather than conform to traditional expectations.
The event concluded with congratulations to the author and appreciation for the support provided by Blacktown City Library.

INLS – Sydney Chapter: Literary Souvenir Update

As a member of the editorial group, I contributed my time and skills to the development of the souvenir/magazine, ensuring the quality of articles, poems, and other creative works. I would like to thank the International Nepali Literature Society (INLS) – Sydney Chapter for this opportunity.

I look forward to the publication of the magazine, hopefully around April/May 2026. It is encouraging to see such a high level of participation from writers and authors in this collection.

International Mother Language Day Celebration – Sunday, 22 February 2026

Representing the Nepali language and literature, Richa Gautam and I recited poems in both Nepali and English at the International Mother Language Day celebration organised by Blacktown City Library at Nurragingy Reserve.

It was a joyful moment to see Nepali books placed in the Blacktown Mobile Library alongside books from over 30 community languages.

Thank you to the library and the council. Whether small or large, such events truly matter—they strengthen identity, preserve cultural memory, promote understanding of diversity, and foster community harmony.

International Women’s Day – Friday, 6 March 2026

It was a proud moment to see Richa Gautam, an emerging poet, recite her poetry dedicated to women around the world on the occasion of International Women’s Day, organised by SydWest Multicultural Services at Glenwood Community Centre, Blacktown, NSW.

Her confidence and dedication are truly inspiring. I wish her all the very best for the debut novel she is working tirelessly on.

Curriculum and Textbook Development – December 2025 to March 2026

During this period, I completed two new lesson books for Shabdamala Nepali Language School: My Nepali Lesson – Level 4 (Term 4) and My Nepali Lesson – Level 1 (Term 4).

To date, I have completed four lesson books for Level 3 and four lesson books for Level 4—a total of eight lesson books. These books have now been implemented in Shabdamala classrooms, supporting continued growth in Nepali language education.

I would like to thank the teachers, committee members, and students of Shabdamala Nepali Language School for their positive feedback and for embracing these lesson books so enthusiastically.

This journal reflects a period of sustained engagement in Nepali literary and community activities, Although time constraints prevented regular writing, my involvement in events, collaborations, and creative initiatives remained strong. From reconnecting with fellow writers to participating in book launches and cultural celebrations, I continued to nurture literary dialogue and strengthen community connections within Australia.

I believe I also made meaningful contributions to language education and literary development through curriculum writing and editorial work for a community publication. Seeing the growing presence of Nepali literature through initiatives like Kitab Adda and public events has been encouraging. Overall, this period represents my continued commitment, community engagement, and a clear vision to help foster a vibrant and inclusive Nepali literary space. 

Thank you all for your support from the heart, mind, and soul.

Nepali Writers and Literature in Australia – My Vision, Plan, and Action: Journal 31

16 November – 15 December 2025 | Personal Journal 31

I welcomed readers to the 31st edition of my monthly journal, dedicated to showcasing and promoting Australia-based Nepali literature and writers. This initiative aligns with my vision of fostering a vibrant, connected, and collaborative literary community. I warmly invited everyone to join me on this journey and to share their invaluable insights to enrich our collective learning and creative endeavours.

Some Catch-ups with Like-minded Writers – November 2025

During my personal visit to Brisbane, following my attendance at the 2025 National Settlement Conference held from 19–21 November 2025 at the Sunshine Coast, I had the opportunity to meet Ms Isha Sharma Koirala, Secretary of the International Nepali Literature Society (INLS) – Queensland Chapter, on Sunday, 23 November 2025.

    
We had a warm and meaningful conversation about promoting Nepali literature and writers in Queensland and across Australia. I was also pleased to present her with a contributor’s copy of Sharada Magazine, which features her published poem.

Likewise, I met renowned poet and lyricist Dinesh Adhikari on Sunday, 30 November 2025, at a restaurant in Lutwyche, Brisbane. He has written songs for more than 65 Nepali films, published 17 books, released 17 CDs, recorded around 500 songs, and received the Madan Puraskar in 2056 BS for his book Atirikta Abhilekh. The meeting was truly inspirational.

INLS – Sydney Chapter’s Initiative for a Literary Souvenir

The International Nepali Literature Society (INLS) – Sydney Chapter has announced the publication of a literary souvenir “INLS Australia Darpan (an adhoc title) in 2026, marking 15 years since the establishment of the INLS New South Wales Chapter.

On this occasion, INLS has invited literary contributions from Nepali writers across Australia. Writers are encouraged to submit one original Nepali-language piece—such as a poem, ghazal, muktak, fiction, short story, or essay. Submissions, along with one passport-size photograph, should be emailed to inls.nsw@gmail.com by 31 December 2025. All submissions will be reviewed, and final publication decisions will rest with the editorial group.

It is my privilege to be part of the editorial team for this special publication. I sincerely thank Mr Prakash Paudel, President of INLS, for entrusting me with this opportunity.

Narayan Gopal Musical Evening-Friday- 5 December 2025: 

I attended the Narayan Gopal Musical Evening commemorating the legendary Nepali singer on his 35th memorial anniversary at Raato Ghar, Granville. The event featured singers Raj Sagar and his band, along with other talented artists including Rabisan Khatri, Aurana Karki, and Aarif Raut.

It was heartening to learn about their initiative to establish a musical learning centre for the Nepali community in tribute to Narayan Gopal. My best wishes go to Ronison and his team for this meaningful endeavour.

Sharada Monthly – Australia Special Edition Discussion and Writers’ Meet-up Program- Sunday, 7 December 2025
                   

The discussion and writers’ meet-up program for Sharada Monthly – Australia Special Edition was successfully held with the participation of more than 45 writers and audience members.

This special edition features articles, stories, and poems by Nepali-speaking writers living across Australia, showcasing the strength, depth, and quality of contemporary Nepali literature in Australia. My sincere thanks go to Editor Bimal Bhaukajee for trusting me and providing 56 writers with the opportunity to publish their work in the esteemed Nepali monthly Sharada. It was my privilege to coordinate this special edition.

                                

The program featured four key speakers. Amar Pradhan provided an overview of Sharada magazine and analysed the stories in this edition. Gargi Sharma presented an analysis of the poems, while Sanu Ghimire discussed the portrayal and presence of women in the stories and articles. Dhurba Adhikary offered an overall review of the magazine along with insightful suggestions for future writing.The program was emceed by Pratigya Adhikari, and the summary and conclusion were presented by Pragya Paneru.  Heartfelt thanks to Max Webber Library, Blacktown, for providing a welcoming community space that supports language, culture, and writers. 

I would like to sincerely appreciate the support of Ram Koirala, Puspa Acharya, the Association of Bhutanese in Australia, and the International Nepali Literary Society Australia (INLS Sydney). My special appreciation goes to Sanu Ghimire Jyotsana for her significant contribution and unconditional support throughout this initiative. Lastly, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all 56 writers whose creative works made this publication possible.

Interested readers can order a copy of the magazine through Saramsha Books Australia (Facebook ). Special thanks to Ramesh Adhikari for organising this. Please note that every purchase helps encourage similar initiatives, celebrates Nepali writers abroad, preserves our literary heritage, and strengthens the creative bridge between Nepal and Australia—contributing to the global upliftment of Australian–Nepali literature.

Related news about the event in medias:

Teendhara Media:

विदेशी भूमिमा नेपाली ‘शारदा’ पत्रिका अष्ट्रेलिया विशेषाङ्क २०८२ - Teendhara Media presents 

Lukla TV Australia's Post:

 (6) Facebook

Baithak Mushayara 2 – Saturday, 13 December 2025

Mushayara Pariwar successfully organised the second edition of Baithak Mushayara in Kogarah on Saturday, 13 December 2025. I would like to congratulate event coordinator Jitendra Malla, along with all participating ghazalists and poets including Rahul Aryal, Bishal Khadka, Narayan Baral, Prakash Panthi, Maheshowar Sharma, Surendra Dawadi, Gyanu Walker Poudyal, and others.

The program was beautifully emceed by Mahima Dip. The soulful performances by Raj Sagar and other ghazal singers were deeply melodious, and the ghazal recitations brought immense joy to the audience. It was truly an enriching and beautiful literary evening- that we always look forward to.

During this period, I remained deeply engaged in promoting Nepali literature and cultural connection in Australia. Through my literary meetings, participation in literary events, and coordination of Sharada Monthly – Australia Special Edition, I witnessed the strength and unity of our creative community and reaffirmed my belief in collaboration and shared responsibility to nurture literature in Australia.