Nepalese Writer and Literature in Australia- My Vision and Plan: Journal 2

15 May - 14 June 2023:

This journal covers my activities over the month to promote Nepalese literature and writers (AB) and to hold myself accountable for my promise. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I welcome constructive comments and suggestions that add value to my learning and initiatives.

YouTube Venture: 18 May 2023

Friend Maheshwar Sharma, whom I recently met, sent me a surprise via WhatsApp. It seemed like a voice message, but it wasn't. It was his narration of a story from my book "Ma ra Buddha" (Buddha and I) - part 1, published in 2017 by Kathalaya Inc. His soothing voice really inspired me to work on it. I exported the recorded voice in PowerDirector, a video editing software, and added background music and some visual elements. It took almost 8 hours of work to make it ready for a YouTube post. I am not a professional, but my previous interest in social and multimedia made my task easier.

Thanks to Sharma, who encouraged me to log in to my YouTube account once again and post the story on YouTube. The story "Siddhartha ki Ama" (Siddharth's Mother) is the second story. If you are interested in listening to the stories, please click the link: Siddhrathaki Ama - Ma Ra Buddha 1 - YouTube

"Ma ra Buddha" retold Siddharth Gautam Buddha's life journey from a third person's perspective. There are a total of 13 stories, each with different central characters whose stories are associated with Buddha's life journey. Each story is independent but connected to all, providing an understanding of Buddha's life from birth to death. The book adopts the style of both a short story collection and a novel. Because the book is also suitable for children and written in simple language, the Nepalese Society for Children's Literature - NESCHIL (Nepalese Section of IBBY) awarded the book as the NESCHIL Children's Book of the Year 2018 for children aged 8 and above.

For English readers, the good news is that I am currently working on its translation.

 

Meet and Greet

I met the following writers as part of my Meet and Greet activities to build rapport and network:

1. Meeting with WestWords Alumni - Friday, 19 May 2023

I attended the Meet and Greet program held at WestWords Centre for Writing in Parramatta. It was a delightful evening filled with music by James Roy, and I had the privilege of meeting a diverse group of authors and writers who were previous members of the WestWords Academy. We welcomed the participants of WestWords Academy 2023. It was a pleasure to meet aspiring writers such as Libby Hyett, Joanne Macias, Artelle Lenthall, Michela Kotevski, Michael Grenfell, and Lana Graham.

WestWords is an organization dedicated to creating and sharing the stories of the people, places, and cultures that comprise the heart of Western Sydney. The WestWords Centre for Writing is based in Parramatta. It believes in the power of literature and literacy (written, oral, and visual), self-expression, and creativity to change lives and the experience of communities. With a strategic focus on children and young people, and through a comprehensive program of workshops, residencies, fellowships, and support for writers, they offer professional opportunities for the growth of distinctive voices. If you are interested in knowing more about the organization and participating in activities, please check the link: Home - Westwords

 

2. Meeting with Prakash Poudel - Sunday, 28 May 2023

I met with Prakash Poudel at Sabdamala Nepalese Language School in Macquarie Field. Currently, the school has expanded to seven branches across NSW. He served as the President of the language school from 2016 to 2018 and currently holds the position of General Secretary at the International Nepalese Literature Society (INLS).

We had a fruitful discussion, sharing ideas and thoughts about my vision and plans to promote Nepalese writers and literature based in Australia. Some key points we discussed were:

Organizing a conversation session on the book "Bhutan to Blacktown" written by Om Dungel in August 2023. This session can be held either online or face-to-face and should cater to a targeted audience. The primary focus of the session will be on the writing and publication process of the book, covering topics such as the writing process, overcoming writer's block, finding an Australian publisher, and the editing process. The aim of this conversation is to inspire writers who are preparing to publish their books in Australia.

Collecting books from Australia-based writers for libraries. Our conversation revealed that there are at least three libraries in Sydney (Blacktown, Auburn, and Hurstville) that have Nepali Language sections. We discussed informing INLS members and writers across Australia to donate at least three copies of their books to these libraries by November 30, 2023, targeting the book donation programs to libraries during the month of January 2024. The objective of this book collection initiative is to contribute to the libraries and also help develop a database of writers and books, which is currently lacking for research and academic purposes. If possible, this can be organized yearly.

Organizing an annual workshop on translation. Initiating discussions with individuals involved previously in similar workshops to explore the possibilities and plan a workshop on translation. Conducting this workshop at least once a year will greatly benefit translators and language enthusiasts.

To give a formal impression toward the conversation, I have also sent an email to him - the General Secretary of INLS. In return, I received a positive response stating that all of these plans are doable, and he will propose them in their upcoming Committee Meeting. His positive expression and feedback inspired collective action. Drawing from our conversation, I am optimistic about achieving positive outcomes in the coming months.

3. Attended an event organized by the Nepalese Art, Culture, and Literature Academy (NKSSP) Australia - Saturday, 10 June 2023

For me, attending literary events is an opportunity to meet and network with writers and community members who are actively contributing to Nepalese language and literature.

With this objective in mind, I attended an event organized by the Nepalese Art, Culture, and Literature Academy (NKSSP) Australia in Granville, celebrating the occasion of '209th Bhanu Jayanti'! It was truly an honor to have the opportunity to meet prominent personalities, writers, and artists during this program. Noteworthy individuals included Sujata Basnet (President NKSSP), Nanda Gurung (President NRNA Australia), Bishnu Ghimire (Pathshala Nepalese Language School), Vishnu Ghimire (Sabdamala Nepalese Language School), Maheshor Sharma, Prakash Poudel, and Sontosh Timilsina.

A heartfelt congratulations to the organizing committee for their remarkable efforts in bringing together such a wonderful event. Their dedication and hard work truly made this celebration a memorable one and showcased the richness of Nepalese art, culture, and literature.

 

4. Meeting with Artelle Lenthall - Monday, 12 June 2023

I had a wonderful meeting with Artelle Lenthall recently! She's not only an amazing published author of children's picture books but also an experienced Primary School Teacher with over 25 years of valuable expertise. Her debut book, 'STAR,' was even published during the challenging times of COVID-19. Her perseverance and advice truly inspired me.

I'm truly impressed by the wealth of knowledge, advice, and guidance she offers to fellow children's writers through her blog, 'Journeygirl.' If you're interested, I highly recommend visiting her blog, Journeygirl | On The Road To Publication  https://journeygirlontheroadtopublication.com/ . It's an incredible resource!

It was a pleasure to meet another talented author who happens to live in Seven Hills, which is nearby in my local area.

 

Sydney Writers Festival - Sunday, 28 May 2023

I attended the Sydney Writers Festival (22-28 May 2023) focused on the theme "Stories for the Future" on Sunday, May 28th, 2023, at Carriageworks in Redfern. During my time there, I thoroughly enjoyed three diverse sessions: 1. Character Construction, 2. Epic Illustrator Battle, and 3. SMH Best Young Australian Novelists 2023.

Character Construction: Andrew Doddo and Kate Foster were discussing their creative process with Adrian Beck. Secrets shared by the authors were: 1. Write and enjoy the writing, 2. What are you thinking? - Write it down, 3. Live with the character and act like the character.

Epic Illustrator Battle: Live battle between the 2023 Illustrators champions of champions. Hosted by Adrian Beck.

Discussion with Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelists 2023: Melanie Kembery, editor of Spectrum, led the discussion with the three winners Katerina Gibson (Women I Know), Jay Carmichael (Marlo), and George Haddad (Losing Face) about their works and writing process.

 

Article/review publication - Saturday, 27 May 2023

I have planned to review books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers. The sole aim of this initiative is to promote and encourage Nepalese writers and literature in Australia.

I have reviewed 'Sambedanako Aakar,' a poem collection written by Maheshar Sharma, which was published on the Nepal Live Today online paper. To check the review, please follow this link: 'Sambedanako Aakar': Poems of love, migration and reflection - Nepal Live Today Nepal Live Today

Reflection of the month:

In this personal journal entry, I documented my activities and initiatives to promote Nepalese literature and writers in the month of May to June 2023. The highlights include creating and uploading a narrated video of one of my books on YouTube, participating in meet and greet sessions with fellow writers, attending literary events such as the Sydney Writers Festival, and reviewing books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers. I also had productive discussions with Prakash Poudel, where we explored ideas for organizing a conversation session on a specific book, collecting books for libraries, and initiating an annual workshop on translation. Overall, these experiences have fueled my passion for promoting Nepalese literature and have given me optimism about achieving positive outcomes in the coming months.

Plan of Action:

Building on the momentum of my recent activities, I will focus on the following actions going forward:

1. YouTube Venture: I will continue to create narrated videos of my books and share them on YouTube to reach a wider audience and promote Nepalese literature. Additionally, I will work on translating my books into English to cater to English-speaking readers.

2. Collaboration and Networking: I will actively engage in meet and greet sessions, literary events, and online platforms to build rapport with fellow writers and expand my network. These interactions will provide opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.

3. Organizing Events: I will collaborate with Prakash Poudel and other relevant individuals to organize a conversation session on the book 'Bhutan to Blacktown' and an annual workshop on translation. These events will provide valuable insights and guidance to aspiring writers and translators.

4. Book Donations: I will coordinate with INLS members and writers across Australia to collect and donate books to libraries, specifically targeting Nepali language sections. This initiative will contribute to the development of a database of writers and books while supporting research and academic endeavors.

5. Reviewing and Promoting Nepalese Writers: I will continue reviewing books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers and actively promote their works through online platforms and publications. This will help raise awareness and appreciation for Nepalese literature within the Australian literary community.

By implementing these actions, I aim to make a meaningful contribution to the promotion of Nepalese literature and writers while fostering a supportive and thriving literary ecosystem.

The Bronze Fish at Tench Reserve: An Art and Connection

Saurav Kiran Shrestha

Anita took us on a 34-kilometer drive west from Blacktown to Tench Reserve in Penrith, where I eagerly awaited the installation of the "bronze fish" into a stone boulder. The bronze fish was my creation and a part of the Tench Reserve Public Art Program. Filled with excitement and curiosity, I stepped out of the car and made my way straight to the park. From the walkway, it was easy to spot the purposefully arranged stone boulders on the low ground, each adorned with specific designs. The scene was picturesque, with the evening golden light filtering through the foliage of the trees, and the serene blue Nepean River drifting silently in the background.

My 10-year-old daughter, Mumal and her friend, was thrilled to see the school of fish and eels fixed into the stones. Together, we rushed to find the fish with our initials on it, the one we could claim as our own. Eventually, Mumal was the one who discovered the fish with the initials "SKS" imprinted on its tail. She knew that the other side of the fish would bear the initials of her and mom Anita, which unfortunately remained unseen.

Seeing the final outcome of this project, a work I had never attempted before, was truly rewarding. I couldn't help but wonder if it was a mere coincidence or an unconscious desire to connect with the community and the land that I now call home, which drew me to this program. My involvement began with the Tench Reserve Public Art Workshops, which I attended on the afternoon of Saturday, August 6, 2022. Held at the Penrith Regional Gallery across the Nepean River from Tench Reserve, the workshops were led by Juan Pablo and Clary Akon. Over the course of the four-hour session, they presented the project, introduced us to the materials, tools, and techniques, demonstrated fish modeling using wax, and guided us as we started shaping our own fish with the wax.

It was fascinating to learn that the fish served not only as decorative elements in the park but also as a means of showcasing the Aboriginal history, culture, and the story of fish traps at the Nepean River and its surroundings. The Aboriginal Ngemba people refer to these fish traps as Ngunnhu. These intricate arrangements of river stones created ponds and channels that efficiently caught fish as they traveled downstream. Through the story of the fish trap, we gained a deeper understanding of Aboriginal food practices, food production, work, trade, and consumption in the Sydney region.

I also discovered that the fish I was modeling was called a flathead gudgeon, a species found in freshwater rivers. These fish generally grow to about 8 cm (3.2 in) in length and possess a large, flattened head with a wide mouth extending past the eyes, as well as two short dorsal fins. Their upper parts can be various shades of grey, brown, black, or yellowish, while their underparts tend to be yellowish. In spring, the female lays 500 to 1000 elongated eggs on a hard surface, which are then carefully guarded by the male.

After the workshop session, we were allowed to take our wax fish models home to complete the task. At home, I worked on my wax model while Mumal and Anita observed me, usually in the afternoons. It was a fun experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed working on it in the comfort of my own home.

The second session was scheduled for August 13, 2022. During the second session, the artist trainers taught us various techniques for adding details to our fish, such as scales, fins, and other distinguishing features.

The highlight of the session was stamping our initials onto the fish as a signature. This exciting moment marked the permanence of our presence, as our initials would forever be etched onto the fish and symbolically connected to the banks of the Nepean River. I felt it was important to establish and feel our existence in this new place we now call home, so I imprinted my initials, SKS, on one side of the fish, while Anita's initials, AS (Anita Shrestha), and Mumal's initials, MS (Mumal Shrestha), on the other side.

Afterwards, the wax fish models were handed over to the organizers. I extend my gratitude to Elissa Macpherson (the Business Operations Officer, Open Space Team, Infrastructure Policy, Department of Planning and Environment) for her support and constant communication throughout the process. She informed us that the modelling fishes would soon be collected from other participants and artists involved in the project, and that the wax models would be sent to Crawford Casting. There, a silicone mold would be made for the larger fish, while the small wax fish would be prepared for casting on trees.

In September 2022, Elissa sent an email notifying us that the boulders had been anchored and would be set in place in the coming days. CaveUrban would be responsible for positioning the fish onto the boulders. If available, we were given the opportunity to attend the site and assist Juan Pablo in finding the perfect location and position for our fish.

Though I'm uncertain if any participants were able to assist Juan with fish positioning, in October 2022, Elissa informed us that the project's progress had been delayed due to rain and a flood warning for the Nepean River, which resulted in the delay of the project activities. Additionally, due to major construction in the area, workshop participants were not allowed onto the worksite. An immersive walkway was being excavated next to the site, and heavy machinery was constantly moving about. It was advised that the walkway would enhance the art experience.

After a long interval, a visit to the foundry was scheduled for a small group on February 21, 2023. Despite the scorching Sydney heat, I made my way to Crawford's Casting in Strathfield wearing closed leather shoes, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, and non-synthetic pants. We were instructed not to touch anything and to assume that everything was hot. To respect the privacy of other artists' work, we were prohibited from taking photographs of their artwork.

Witnessing the inner workings of the foundry was truly awe-inspiring. I observed as they melted bronze and poured the scorching hot liquid metal into the casting tree, witnessing the emergence of the bronze fish from within. It was a breathtaking moment, incredibly satisfying to behold. I couldn't wait to return home and share those precious moments with Mumal and Anita. I took a few photos and videos of the process, capturing the magic.

Finally, in the third week of May, I received an email from Elissa, bringing news that I had been eagerly awaiting. Her email read as follows: "The Public Art at Tench Reserve, 'Story Trap,' is now completed. CaveUrban, with the help of all of you, has created a visually stunning piece of art that reflects the area's connection to the First Nations People of the Darug Nation and the Nepean River. The community fish now swim in schools, keeping Clary's large fish and eels company. The dappled light illuminates different areas of the art during the day, bringing the fish to life. I encourage you to visit Tench Reserve and search for your fish."

I wholeheartedly agreed with Elissa's sentiments. The school of fish truly resonated with me, and I had already made plans to revisit the site with more friends. I highly recommend visiting Tench Reserve, not just for the fish trap, but for the entire reserve park. It is an experience that is truly worthwhile.

…to 14 May 2023: Personal Journal 1

 

As promised in my earlier post, I am posting this activity journal to hold myself accountable. Since this is my first monthly journal, I will start from 3rd April when I made myself known as an author and donated some of my books to the Max Weber Library in Blacktown. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I welcome constructive comments and suggestions that add value to my learning and initiatives.

Start of the Beginning: 3 April 2023

I donated my books "Ma Ra Buddha" (Part 1 and 2) and "Hamro Ghar Hamro Pariwar" to the Max Weber Library in Blacktown. Joelmon Zungar, Librarian of Multicultural Services, and his Manager Joy Burke received the books. The books were catalogued and made available to readers on the library's bookshelves. The library has a Community Language Collection/Section that offers a range of materials in 105 different languages. The Nepalese language is one of the sections. I discovered that Krishna Niraula, the Past President of the Blacktown Nepalese Community-Australia (BNC-Australia established in 2016), played a significant role in setting up the Nepalese section in the library. The section includes Nepalese books and DVDs/movies.

Observation and reflection:

• I wonder how many libraries across NSW and Australia have similar community language collections including Nepalese section?

• Although I don't have specific data, I'm certain there are many published Nepalese writers currently living in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or students (even though many have published their books in Nepal). I was surprised not to find a single book from them in the library.

• It would be wonderful to have at least one book from all Nepalese writers (Australia-based) on the library shelves. This idea can be replicated in other libraries that already have a community language section, promoting Nepalese writers and literature across NSW or Australia as a whole.

• I realized the need for in-depth conversations among writers, journalists, and groups/associations related to Nepalese literature and language. Research and data collection in various aspects are crucial to determine a way forward.

Plan of action:

As a first step, I will initiate Meet and Greet activities to establish contact with writers and authors in Australia, starting from Sydney. My main objective for these meetings will be to share ideas and learn from their experiences. If possible, I will make an appeal for collective action to bring Australia-based Nepalese Writers and literature to the forefront in Australia.

Book donation: 17 April 2023

To support the plan of increasing the number of books by Nepalese writers (AB) in the library, I organized a book donation event with Mr. Maheshwar Sharma, Central Vice-President of the International Nepalese Literature Society. He visited the Max Weber Library and handed over several Nepalese books, including his own book titled "Sambedanako Akar" (Shape of Sensation - Collection of Poems), to Ms. Samanth Cadwallen, Acting Library Manager.

Thanks to this donation, the Nepalese Book section in the library now includes "Sambedanako Akar," "Agni" (The Blaze - Epic), "Sagarmathako Gahirai" (Depth of Mt. Everest - Collection of Poems), "Aparichit Anuhar" (Strange Face - Collection of Short Stories), and "Eklo Maharathi" (Lone Warrior - Collection of Poems). I was deeply touched by his kindness and sincerity, as he remembered to include other writers and their books in the donation.

 

Meet and Greet

1.     Meeting with Ms. Sanu Ghimire - Saturday, 15 April

As part of my plan to develop contacts, I met with Ms. Sanu Ghimire Jyotsana, the author of "Sydney Sapana" (Sydney Dream), at the Max Weber Library in Blacktown. We had an engaging discussion about the situation of Nepalese writers in Australia and the potential for Nepalese literature in mainstream Australian literature. I learned that she had played a significant role in establishing the International Nepalese Literature Society NSW in 2011 and served as the Founder General Secretary from 2011 to 2015.

I shared my observations about Nepalese literature and writers (AB) with her. We discussed the need for initiatives as aware authors to collect writers' data/profiles and develop an evidence-based seminar paper. She readily agreed to lead and support the data collection and work on seminar paper. I was truly inspired by her enthusiasm and open-mindedness.

2.       Meeting with Bhimsen Sapkota - 3 May 2023

As part of my Meet and Greet activities for building rapport and networking with writers, I visited author Bhimsen Sapkota at his home in Riverwood. I learned that he had served as both the Central Vice-President and President of the International Nepalese Literary Society (INLS) and INLS-NSW, respectively.

During our short meeting, I shared my vision of promoting Nepalese literature and writers (AB) in mainstream Australian literature by creating opportunities. I also shared my plan to promote the Nepalese section of the Max Weber Library. He generously gave me some of his inspirational and yoga books for the library.

It was a brief but inspiring meeting with the multitalented personality Bhimsen Sapkota, also known as Acharya Rajan Sharma. His portfolio reveals that he is a life coach, yogi, NAATI trainer, astrologer, cultural ambassador, and marriage celebrant.

 

International Nepali Literature Society (INLS)'s event: Saturday, 8 April 2023

It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday when I decided to attend the Children's Literary and Cultural Program organized by the INLS-NSW Chapter. Although I didn't have a formal invitation, I took a chance to meet some key figures of the society, including the President, with whom I had been trying to make contact and have a conversation.

The program successfully inspired and engaged Nepalese children in learning and practicing Nepalese music, songs, dance, and literature at the Glenfield Community Hall. The chief guests, Illya Bhattarai and Ravi Kiran Nirjiv, graced the event with their presence.

To my surprise, Illya Bhattarai (didi) instantly recognized me, even though we hadn't met in about 10 years. Unfortunately, I couldn't organize a second meeting or invite her for lunch as she didn't provide me with her contact number. (I had planned to have a brief interaction session with her to discuss a manuscript written by Ms. ABNW (I want to keep her name private as I'm unsure if she was interested/ready in the discussion at that moment.) and collect feedback for improvising/editing.)

Nevertheless, attending the event had positive outcomes:

• I met with Sanu Ghimire Jyotsana, and did a follow-up meeting with her took place on 15 April. Stay tuned for further updates in the coming months.
• I also met with Mamta Tiwari, the President of INLS. Although our meeting was unscheduled, I received her poem collection, "Jivanka Tarang" (Waves of Life).

I would like to express my appreciation to Maheshwar Sharma and Pratigya Adhikari for making me feel comfortable among the unknown crowd of over 100 people, including children.

Observation and reflection:

Since the event was focused on children, it seemed irrelevant for adult writers/authors to recite their poems intended for an adult audience. It would have been wonderful if they had recited children's poems or stories. Nonetheless, I congratulate the organizing committee for leading such an initiative.

 

Samjhana Pathsala- Nepali Language School: 23 April 2023

I participated in the school's Term-2 Lesson Plan discussion meeting called by Prakriti Shrestha. Other attendees included Partigya Adhikari and teacher Bijaya. Samjhana Pathsala, a Nepalese language school for children, is affiliated with the Blacktown Nepalese Community (BNC)-Australia and has been operating every Sunday afternoon for the past few years at Meadows Public School in Seven Hills, NSW.

During the discussion, we covered various topics, including curriculum development, parental involvement in school management and classes, and youth development activities such as sports and creative writing. We also emphasized the importance of storytelling sessions in classes.

 

Observation and reflection:

·      The school management committee and BNC should be acknowledged for their efforts in running the school with limited resources and support. I noticed a need for school registration, additional classrooms to accommodate the growing number of students and programs, and investment in teacher training. Hopefully, these issues will be addressed by the BNC in support of the parents.

·     To my knowledge, there are a few more Nepalese schools in Sydney, including Sabdamala Nepalese Language School, which, in my opinion, is one of the outstanding community language schools. I believe there should be some kind of cooperation between Nepalese community language schools that aim to promote Nepalese language in Australia, at least in terms of knowledge and experience sharing.

·     Imagine if we had precise data on the number of Nepalese language schools in Australia. I'm unsure if anyone has already collected such data, at least for NSW. However, I believe it's time to start collecting it.

·     It would be wonderful if some writers (AB) took the initiative and dedicated their time, at least once a month, to visit language schools and conduct sessions on literary activities such as creative writing (poems/stories), storytelling, and poem recitation.

·      Community language schools could serve as avenues to discover and encourage creative and talented Nepalese children and youth, helping them hone their creative skills and providing mentorship. This would be another way to nurture promising writers/authors of Nepalese background in Australia.

Plan of action:

As an action, I will reach out as many as Nepalese language schools in Sydney and will run story telling session/creative session and advocate the same idea to other writers, encouraging them to contribute to their nearby community schools. If possible, at my level, I will identify talented young adults and connect them with opportunities for workshops/mentorship.

Bhutan to Blacktown - Book Launch: 1 May 2023

I had the privilege of attending the long-awaited book launch event, "Bhutan to Blacktown," at the Max Weber Library in Blacktown. The book, a memoir by Om Dhungel co-authored by James Bottom, is adorned with a foreword from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who states, "What you hold in your hands is a great Australian story." During the book launch, Elfa Moraitakis, CEO of SydWest Multicultural Services, graciously engaged in a session with Om Dhungel to shed light on his book and the settlement services in Australia.

This journal is written from the perspective of book publication from the Nepalese speaking writers/authors (AB).  To me, this book launch was remarkable where Om Dhungel shares his life and refugee journey from Bhutan to Blacktown in Western Sydney. I consider this a milestone as the book is written by someone who speaks the Nepalese language, follows Nepalese culture, and is of Nepalese lineage, much like many of us. Om Dhungel's book is published and promoted by an Australian publisher and distributor, reviewed by national papers, and embraced by mainstream English readers, with international reach. This is the vision I have for all Australian-based Nepalese writers. Om Dhungel has already set an example for all of us, showing that it is possible. Therefore, we should celebrate this publication and congratulate him.

Observation and reflection:

·      There are so many things to learn from this book publication, mainly publication and distribution process. His experience would be a learning lesson for many of us who aspire to publish their book in Australia.

·      Another aspect is gaining an insight on "Australian perspective" in relation to writer's subjects and Australian reader's mindset.

·      We can talk about role and important of editors, rewriting and writer's block.

·      While I may be unaware of other books published by Nepalese writers (NB) in a similar standard and scale in Australia, occasional publications by one or two writers are not enough. I want to see more visibility, acknowledgment, and recognition of Nepalese writers (NB) in Australia by English readers.

Plan of action:

I will initiate to organize at least one conversation session with writer Om Dhungel to share his publication experience and writing journey. This will provide an opportunity for us to gain insights and guidance from his valuable experience.

Bringing Australia-based Nepalese Writers and Literature to the Forefront in Australia: My Vision and Plans

It has been over a month since I made my presence known and frequent on social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. After a long break of 12 years, I have restarted my blog sharing a few greeting words on Nepali New Year 2080 (BS). In fact, my return to social media is driven by my determination to contribute to the literary community in Australia.

For the past few years, I have been quietly observing and trying to understand the state of Nepalese writers and literature in Australia. I have identified some gaps and missing connections, which I believe most Australia-based Nepalese writers are aware of but have not been able to address due to various reasons. As a conscious member of the Nepalese community and a writer myself, I have felt the need to take action. For common understanding, hereafter, Australia-based Nepalese writers means any writers/authors who share Nepalese origin, culture and language; who have generational connection to Nepal and its history; and have meaningful understanding and respect to Nepalese sentiments.

Leveraging my background in project management, I have started working on my vision and plan to fill in some of these gaps. With some groundwork already laid, I have made a personal commitment to step out of my comfort zone and share my vision and plan with others. I now feel ready to share this online as well. My intention is not to seek attention but rather to keep myself accountable, motivated, and to eventually see tangible results from my efforts. In this post, I would like to briefly outline my vision and some strategic plans.

Vision:

My vision is to have English books written by Australia-based Nepalese writers be published, displayed, and available in Australian libraries and bookstores, just like the works of mainstream Australian and English writers. 

Some initial strategies to achieve this vision over a period of 5 years include:

• Networking and rapport building with writers from Nepalese origin, Australian mainstream writers, writers from CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities, and service providers such as libraries and writers' associations/groups.

• Conducting research, developing databases, and sharing information related to Nepalese writers and literature in Australia.

• Creating opportunities for Australia-based Nepalese writers, such as mentoring, training, workshops, interactions with Australian/English writers, and avenues for publication.

• Establishing mentoring programs and fellowship opportunities for youth and the younger generation.

I am aware that it may seem impractical for a single individual to undertake these initiatives in the long run. However, I am confident that there are other writers who share a similar vision or interest. I welcome them to contribute and share their visions in whatever way possible. Together, we can work towards realizing our collective goals.

Moving forward, I will regularly post a report on my activities aligning with the vision and share my learnings during the third week of every month.

शुभारम्भ नयाँ परिच्छेदको

 

बाह्र वर्षपछि खोला फर्कन्छ भन्थे,

हो र छ, 

नव बर्ष २०८० को शुभकामना ।

                                 The beginning of a new chapter.

                                    Happy Nepalese New Year!

                     Inspire#2080 

Picture this or write this !

Picture This or Write This !















The two stories given below are written during a photo-writing workshop 'Picture This' organized by Photo Circle in June 17-19 at Bookworm, Gyan Mandal.

















It was a wonderful experience of my life when I presented and shared my family-story using old photos among public in a rainy evening of June 27, 2011.



It was probably late 70s, when my late grandfather bought a piece of land in Kuleshwore, Kathmandu. At that time, his friends and relatives made fun of his decision. They used to pass comments such as, "What an insane decision? You would have been better off not buying land than buying a jungle of bushes and narket. The land is useless. Only an idiot would build a house at such a slope. Wolves and wild cats live there, why did you not buy land in a well settled area?" The remarks were totally based on fact. During that time, Kuleshwore was in fact a barren field with wild grasses. There were only a handful of houses there. The land was mainly used for agricultural purposes.

My grandfather started construction despite unenthusiastic remarks. Before constructing, he had to flatten the land in order to build a solid foundation. In this process, very fine black mud 'kalimati' came out of the earth. Following the suggestion of well-wishers, he decided to make bricks out of the accumulated 'kalimati' mud.My grandfather and other family members actively participated in the brick-making process.

The picture was taken during the time of construction. I am sure the photograph was taken by my father, Tej Prakash Shrestha with a Russian camera gifted by his elder brother living in the USSR. The young lady, carrying bricks in the picture, is my cousin aunt (Tara Badan Shrestha, fupu) and the other young lady is my sister (Sabitri Shrestha, didi). The boy standing next to them is my elder brother (Deepak Kiran Shrestha, dai).

Tara fupu was carrying some pieces of soggy mud, moulded in brick shape by a wooden frame 'sancho'. She was piling up raw bricks to dry, as shown in the picture. When the raw bricks got dry and hardened, they were baked and paddy husk helped to make it solid red brick.

I was told that these home-made bricks were used to construct the foundation and the ground floor. Today my grandfather's house stands as a three-story building. It, however, took more than 20 years to complete, as my grandfather and father were not too rich. They were simple and sincere government officials who were happy within the means of their monthly salary, which was hardly enough to feed their children and pay their tuition fee. It took 6-7 years to save enough money to build the second storey. That’s how it took more than 20 years to complete the building.

One of the happiest things in my grandfather's life was that he lived the rest of his life in this house with his children and grandchildren. I do not know how many grandparents are lucky enough to live with their children and grandchildren today. My aunt and sister, as shown in the photograph, lived in this house for years until they happily got married. Now they live in their respective homes with their families. My elder brother lives with his small and happy family in Naikap.

Currently my wife and I live in this house. My entire childhood was spent here. I can remember very few houses being built around that time. My childhood friends could spot me on my roof from their homes at Naya Basti that was half a kilometer away . Time has changed; there are many houses here now, sprouting like mushrooms in the rainy season. Even taller buildings have been erected in front of it. Now, my friends cannot locate me from their homes even though I sit on my roof, trying to enjoy an obstructed full view of the sunset behind the hill, towards the west.

If you visit this home, you will neither find a single wolf or wild cat nearby, nor a jungle of Narket. You will find only a jungle of concrete. And my grandfather's house is in it.

It was 1974 when my uncle, my dad's youngest brother, Tripur Sundar Shrestha (21 year) posed for this picture. This picture was taken in a dormitory at Keiv, the capital city of Ukraine. At that time, Ukraine was under the Republic of Soviet Union. He had a dream to be an actor; a film hero. However, Nepal at that time had not developed as today, especially in the field of art, media and cinema. He had got opportunity to pursue his further education in USSR. He wished to study in the related field of film making but his elder brother, Krishna Prakash Shrestha, did not find any scope in the film arena, and thus suggested him to pursue further education in Law.

The picture had captured a moment of his student life. The rack full of books and documents is a proof that he loves book. Or, at least he loves to collect books. The glasses he was wearing also shows how studious he was. But…hold on a second…here! I have never seen him wearing a study glass here in Nepal. So I doubt, he might have put on those glasses merely to pose a photo; because he loves acting. An interesting thing is that while taking this picture, he was inspired by a Hindi actor Rishi Kapor (he had watched the movie 'Bobby' in Russian language in Ukraine).

Anyway, do you recognize the poster he had fixed in a wall? Is that the Mt. Everest? In fact, I have chosen this picture for the poster reading 'Visit Nepal'. My uncle had fixed the poster almost 4 decades back in Ukriane; far from Nepal. I do not know why he had chosen that poster. May be he wanted his foreigner frienda to visit Nepal or he wanted to promote Tourism in Nepal. May be he simply loves Nepal.

Today, Republic of Soviet Union has become a chapter of History book. During those decades, communism has been collapsed in Republic of Soviet Union, it has been dissolved, and Ukraine has become an independent country in 1991. Likewise, Nepal has also gone through various political changes from Panchayat system to Multi-party, Monarchy system to Federal Republican Democratic system.

History suggests that change is inevitable. But it also shows history repeats itself. Today or I can say this year; we are celebrating Tourism Year 2011. I do not know how much the Tourism year is successful, but one thing is sure that there could be many people like my uncle, who are right now living in foreign countries and fixing the similar kind of poster reading "Visit Nepal : 2011' in their wall. Despite the truth that things change, the love for the nation remains unchanged in the heart of Nepali people.

After my uncle returned from Ukraine, he had joined Gorkhapatra Corporation- a field that was not compatible to his interest or his academic qualification. It is a field of print media, different than a field of cinema or law. However, he worked in the cooperation for years. Today, he is a retiree from his job. Though, his dream to be an actor is not fulfilled, William Shakespeare says life is a drama and world is a stage, in the real world-stage he is a leading actor performing his part of life-script.

Saurav Kiran Shrestha

यसपालिको हिँउदे विदा मैले नि मनाएँ ।

–सौरभकिरण श्रेष्ठ

पहिले पहिले पुसमागको विदालाई मिनपचासको विदा भनिन्थ्यो । त्यसताका स्कुलमा लामै विदा हुन्थ्यो, करिवकरिव १ महिना । काठमाडौँ खाल्टो छोडेर तराईतिर घुम्न गइन्थ्यो । धुमधामको घुमघाम पछि विद्यालय फर्केर साथीहरुको अगाडि फूर्तिलगाउँदै ‘म यहाँ घुम्न गएँ त्यहाँ घुम्न गएँ । तिमीहरु चाहिँ कहाँ गयौँ नि ?’ भनेर सोध्दा रमाइलै हुन्थ्यो । अचेल त यस्तो विदा छोटो हुन थालेछ । त्यो छोटो विदामा पनि केटाकेटीहरु विन्टर क्याम्पमा भाग लिन थालेछन् ।

विन्टर क्याम्प अचेल फस्टाउँदो छ । बालबालिकालाई पढाइका अलावा विभिन्न शीपहरु पनि दिनुपर्छ र त्यो शीप विन्टर क्पाम्पबाट प्राप्त हुन्छ भन्ने मान्यता अनुसार प्रायः यस किसिमका विन्टरक्पाम्पहरु संचालन हुने गर्छन् । यसपाली क्रियटिभ आर्ट सेन्टरले पनि बालबालिकाहरुका लागि ताहचलमा यस्तै विन्टर क्याप संचालन गरेको रहेछ । त्यस क्याम्पमा बालबालिकाहरुलाई चित्रकला, वक्तित्वकला आदि प्रशिक्षण गराउने गरेको मैले पाएँ । त्यही विन्टरक्याम्पको गतिविधिमध्ये एउटा गतिविधि थियो— कथा वाचनको । अनि कथा वाचनको जिम्मेवारी पाएको थियो कथावाचक समाजले ।
कथावाचक समाजको प्रतिनिधित्व गर्दै म र कृष्णदीप सिग्देल दिनको १ वजे ताहाचल पुगेको थियौँ । करिव बीसजना जति बालसहभागीहरु त्यहाँ थिए । उनीहरु सबै कथा सुन्न र आफ्नै कथा बनाउन इच्छुक थिए । कृष्णदीपले कथामा बालबालिका मज्जाले रमाए, हाँसे अनि तालि पिटे ।

मैले चाहिँ उनीहरुलाई कसरी कथा बनाउने भन्ने बारे उनीहरुलाई सिकाउनु थियो । ती बालबालिकाहरु कक्षा ३ देखि कक्षा ८–९ सम्मका थिए त्यसैले उनीहरुलाई कथा लेख्न वा बनाउन सिकाउने काम मेरो लागि चुनौतीपूर्ण थियो । कथा सिर्जनाका लागि कल्पनाशीलताको आवश्यक पर्छ । साना देखि ठूला बालबालिकामा भएको कल्पनाशीलतालाई मैले जोड दिने विचार गरेँ । त्यसैले एउटा सानो तर महत्वपूर्ण अभ्यास गराएँ जनु सबै उमेरका बालबालिकालाई एकै ठाउँमा राखेर गर्न सकिन्थ्यो । त्यो अभ्यासबाट सबै बालबालिका मिलेर एउटा रमाइलो कथा तयार पारेँ । जसलाई कृष्णदिपले झन् रोचक तरिकाबाट उनीहरुसमक्ष प्रस्तुत गरे ।

बालबालिकामा भएको कल्पना र सिर्जनाशीलताको तारिफ गर्दै हामी क्याम्पबाट फर्कियौँ । फर्कनुभन्दा अगाडि हामीले सबै बालबालिकालाई एकएकवटा कथाका पुस्तक पढ्नका लागि वितरण ग¥यौँ । उनीहरु पुस्तक पाउँदा रमाए । हामी पनि उनीहरुसँग एकछिन रमायौँ । यसपालीको हिँउदे विदाले मलाई पनि अलिकति छोएजस्तै लाग्यो । मैले पनि दुईतीन घण्टा विन्टर क्याम्पमा मज्जाले विताए, केही कुरा सिकेर अनि केही कुरा सिकाएर ।
जनवरी ५–७, २०११

Grassroots comics: tool for social change

- Saurav Kiran Shrestha

It was a great experience that I spent my 3-day among 24 children representing various 16 child clubs of Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, Nepal. All of the children were participating in 4-days TOT training on Grassroots Comics organized by Hatemalo Sanchar in RCRD hall in Bhaktapur. They were eager to learn and get training on Grassroots Comics, whi

ch was also known as Wall comics. I served them as a trainer with Ms. Nirjana Bhatta.

During the training I remembered those days when I got exposed to Wall Comic in 2005. At that time the Save the Children Sweden had organized a workshop in Himalayan Hotel in Lalitpur. The workshop was conducted in English medium. There I participated as an interpreter for Nepalese children. Mr. Sarad Sharma from India was trainer. While participating as an interpreter in the workshop I came to know about Wall comic and its importance in Nepal.

According to the Leif Packalen and Sarad Sh

arma, a Grassroot comic is comics that are made by socially active people themselves, rather than by campaign and art professionals, are genuine voices which encourage local debate in the society. Forthermore, they are inexpensive and the technology is not complicated- pen, papers and access to a copying machine are usually enough.

Comics are stories, which are told visually. They become grassroots comics when they are made by community activists or people about some issue which is relevent to that particular community (cited from: Grassroot comics- a development communication tool, 2007)

At that time, I was working in Hatemalo Sanchar as the Program Manager. My belief on power of Wall comic (Grassroots comic) led me to introduce the Wall comic training in the programs of Hatemalo Sanchar, with the help of Pinky Bijayananda, Nirijana Bhatta, Santosh Maharjan, Nina Maharjan and Sanjog Thakuri (Some of them were children and child club

member at that time). After that training, we had organized more than 6 trainings within 2 years. Plan Nepal also helped us to organized wall comics training in various part of Nepal, particularly, in Makawanpur, Morang/Sunsar, Bake, Rautahat and Nepalgung. As a result, we were able to publish a special edition on Wallcomic in Balsansar magazine.

Today, in the first month of 2011, I am glad to see the children from Bhaktapur a

re hanging their wall comics in the premises of Bhaktapur Darwar Area and attracting people to read the wall comic. More than that, I am proud to proclaim that the children are now applying Wallcomic as a tool to eliminate corporal punishment in their schools and community.

January 9-11, 2011

कथा सुन्ने र सुनाउने अभियानको थालनी

‘जहाँ बालबालिका त्यहाँ कथा, जहाँ कथा त्यहाँ कथावाचक समाज’ सहितको मुलमन्त्र बोकेर हिजो कथावाचक समाजले विद्यालय–विद्यालयमा बालकथा भन्ने अभियान थालनी गरेको छ । नेपाल आदर्श माध्यामिक विद्यालय, गणबाहलमा भएको यस कथावाचन कार्यक्रममा संस्थाका सचिव यसु श्रेष्ठले ‘बाँदर र टेलिभिजन’ तथा सदस्य जनार्दन बरालले ‘जलपरीको संघर्ष’ नामक कथाहरु प्रस्तुत गर्नुभएको थियो । साथै, उक्त विद्यालयका छात्रछात्राहरुले पनि बालकथाहरु वाचन गरेका थिए ।


बढ्दो आधुनिकीकरण र शहरीकरणको प्रभावमा बालबालिकालाई बालकथा सुनाउने र सुन्ने परम्परा लोप हुन थाले छ । यस्तो परिस्थितिलाई मध्येनजर गरी कथावाचक समाजको गठन भएको हो । जसको मुल उद्देश्य नै बालबालिकालाई बालकथा सुनाउनु हो र उनीहरुका नीहित सृजनशीलताको विकास गर्नु हो ।

कार्यक्रममा, यस संस्थाका सदस्य सौरभकिरण श्रेष्ठले स्वागन मन्तव्य दिनुभएको थियो भने, संस्थाका महासचिव कृष्णदीप सिग्देलले संस्थाको बारेमा जानकारी दिनुभएको थियो । साथै, कोषाध्यक्ष राजेन्द्रभक्त जोशीले सो कार्यक्रम व्यवस्थापन गर्नुभएको थियो । पुस्तकालय विषशज्ञ भोला श्रेष्ठकोको प्रमुख आतिथ्यतामा भएको यस कार्यक्रमलाई सयजनाभन्दा बढी बालबालिकाले कथाबाचनको रसस्वादन गरेका थिए ।