16 July – 15 August 2025 | Personal Journal 27
Welcome to the 27th 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 and connected literary community. I warmly invite you to join me on this journey and share your invaluable insights to enrich our collective learning and endeavours.
Nava Durga Literary Program – EOI Call-out | Thursday, 17 July 2025
The Women’s Creative Group is organizing a special cultural presentation featuring poetry recitations on the theme of the various dimensions of Nava Durga on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami.
Nepali-origin women living in Australia are invited to submit original poems based on this theme. From the submissions, nine outstanding poems will be selected for recitation at a special program in Sydney on 21 September 2025. The program is led by Sanu Ghimire and Sudhira Shah.
The submitted poems will be reviewed and finalized by a selection committee consisting of Jaleshowri Shrestha (Chairperson, Gunjan), Surendra Dawadi, and Saurav Shrestha.
The event aims to showcase the literary and cultural talents of Nepali women in Australia while celebrating the spirit of Bijaya Dashami.
Living Stories: Only I Can Say Publication Showcase | Saturday, 19 July 2025
I had the privilege of attending the Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize – Only I Can Say celebration at the WestWords Centre for Writing in Parramatta. The event brought together winning and highly commended writers, offering a warm and vibrant space to recognise their achievements. Copies of the newly published anthology were available, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement as writers, families, and supporters gathered to celebrate.
The Open Mic Session gave writers the opportunity to read their freshly published pieces aloud—a moving and inspiring experience. I felt especially proud when Mumal’s poem, recognised as a Highly Commended entry from the Blacktown LGA, was acknowledged and celebrated.
It was a wonderful afternoon that not only showcased the depth of talent in Western Sydney but also reminded me of the power of storytelling in connecting our diverse communities.
Shabdamala Teachers’ Interaction, Appreciation, and Development Program | Sunday, 20 July 2025
I would like to sincerely thank Shabdamala Nepali Language School and President Bishnu Ghimire ji for inviting me to the Teachers’ Interaction, Appreciation, and Development Program.
It was heartening to see so many responsible teachers and parents come together to discuss how best to pass on the Nepali language and culture to the next generation in Australia. Your dedication, commitment, knowledge, and skills are truly admirable in preserving and nurturing our heritage for second-generation children in NSW.
Call for Submissions: Sharada Monthly Australia Special Issue | Wednesday, 30 July 2025
In last month’s post, I mentioned my conversation with Editor Bimal Bhaukaji about publishing a special Australia-focused issue of the Nepali literary magazine Sharada Monthly.
As the Coordinator for Australia, I warmly invite writers, poets, and literary contributors to submit their work for the upcoming Australia Special Issue of Sharada Monthly (Kartik 2082 edition). Submissions may include memoirs, essays, critiques, reviews, or short stories.
Submission Guidelines:
- Written in Nepali
- No longer than 2,000 words
- Original (unpublished elsewhere)
- Relevant to the current context
- Include full name, current address, affiliation, and a digital photograph
- Deadline: 3 September 2025
- Email: sauravgshrestha@gmail.com
Mamata Mishra PAHICHAN Launch Event | Saturday, 2 August 2025
The launch of Mamata Mishra’s book PAHICHAN was held at Max Webber Library, Blacktown. The program began with a poetry recitation by Richa Bhattarai, followed by congratulatory messages, commentary, and speeches from Dhruba Hari Adhikari, Pragya Paneru, Surendra Dawadi, Ashwini Koirala (recorded), and Om Dhungel.
A highlight of the event was an interactive session between Mamata Mishra and Sanu Ghimire, where attendees gained personal insights into the author’s journey and the creation of PAHICHAN.
The event concluded with “Signature Moments,” where guests had the opportunity to engage directly with the author during book signings. It was also a valuable opportunity for informal conversations and networking among more than 40 attendees.
The program was emceed by Pratigya Adhikari. I felt privileged to be part of the organizing team and extend heartfelt congratulations to Mamata on the successful launch of her second novel.
Meeting with Author Jenisha Manandhar | Saturday, 9 August 2025
It was a pleasure meeting Sydney-based Nepali writer Jenisha Manandhar at Max Webber Library. Surprisingly, many in our community remain unaware of her work, even though she has already published four books in English: Lost Letters, Moving Forward, Lumanti’s Memory, and Rajmati (Reimagined).
Her latest book, Rajmati, was launched on Sunday, 3 August at Writing NSW in Lilyfield, recreating the iconic Newa character. Hearty congratulations to Jenisha on this remarkable contribution to Nepali literature—it is a delight to discover such outstanding talent within Sydney’s Nepali community.
During our conversation, we explored ways to support each other in creative writing and publishing, and agreed to take this forward into concrete action. I look forward to continuing this journey with her and Shayashkar Dangol. Special thanks to Sanu Ghimire ji for arranging this meaningful meeting.
Feedback Sessions – July 2025
As usual, this month too, I conducted several one-on-one feedback sessions with writers, reviewing poems and children’s chapter books. It’s always a pleasure to engage with both emerging and established voices and contribute—however modestly—to their creative journey and growth.
Over the past month, I was privileged to witness and contribute to several inspiring literary and cultural initiatives within the Australia-based Nepali community. From the Nava Durga poetry call-out and the Shabdamala teachers’ program to the Sharada Monthly special issue announcement, these events reminded me of our shared responsibility to nurture language, literature, and cultural identity across generations.
Equally enriching were the literary showcases and personal encounters that highlighted individual talent and community pride: the Living Stories publication event in Western Sydney demonstrated the power of storytelling to connect diverse communities, while Mamata Mishra’s PAHICHAN launch and my meeting with Jenisha Manandhar reinforced the importance of supporting and celebrating Nepali writers in Australia.
Each program offered lessons in collaboration, resilience, and cultural pride, collectively strengthening the vision of building a vibrant Nepali literary presence in Australia. Thank you all.
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