Nepalese Writer and Literature in Australia- My Vision and Plan: Journal 3

 15 June - 14 July 2023: Personal Journal 3

This is the third monthly journal covering 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.

In fact, this period became a month of rejuvenation and celebration for me where I was able to re-connect with my family and friends after 4 years in Nepal. I spent almost three weeks (June 16 - July 10, 2023) in Nepal and attended 5 cultural ceremony and family functions like Bartabandha, Gufa, Janku ceremony, and receptions/parties. However, this meant less time for visiting friends, relatives, and the heavenly places of Nepalese landscapes.

Brief meetings with Nepalese Authors and Publishers in Nepal:

Despite having limited time, I made an effort to contact some of my closest friends/authors in Nepali literary fields and publishers. During our meetings, I shared my vision of promoting Nepalese writers (AB), Nepalese community language schools, and the Nepalese Section of Libraries in Sydney. I also requested them to provide some of their books for the schools and libraries in Sydney. In response to my request, some of them generously donated a few copies of their books for the Nepalese Language Schools or library in Sydney. Others have expressed their commitment to donate at a later time. I truly appreciate their support and encouragement.

During my stay, I had collected more than 40 Kg of books, which obviously I couldn’t bring all back to Australia due to the flight’s weight limitation. I left many of them in Nepal, and I hope that in due time, more additional books from other writers/publishers will be added. I am planning to organize shipping or courier services to send them to Sydney in a few months.

1. Notable Meetings in various dates:

I had the opportunity to meet Promod Pradhan and Bijaya Raj Achary, who are the President and General Secretary of the Nepalese Society for Children Literature, at their office.

Additionally, I had brief catch-ups with Saswot Parajuli, Krishna Dip Sigdel, and Dr. Dhurva Ghimire at their residence.

Met Yasu Shrestha at a bookstore. I was lucky to run into Prabha Bhattarai didi in Kalimati. I want to express my gratitude to Saman Shrestha, who assisted me in organizing these meetings.

2. Meeting Jaydev K. Shrestha at Taleju Prakasan - Friday 23 June 2023:

I visited Taleju Prakasan (Taleju Publication) at Bhotahity, Kathmandu. It is one of the oldest book publishers in Nepal since 1993, known for publishing quality course books and literature. I was thrilled to finally get my new release "Social Work: Discipline and Professional Practice" in my hands. The colorful textbook gave me immense joy as an author. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jaydev Krishna Shrestha sir for his unwavering trust in me, which made this publication successful in 2023 after four years of hard work.

During the meeting with Jaydev sir at Taleju, he also handed over a book titled 'Laxman Rajbansi: Smriti Grantha'. The book commemorates Laxman Rajbansi, who was the founding principal of the Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute. Anita, my other half, and I had studied at the same school, so we both paid tribute to him.

Before leaving the publication, I collected a few author copies of the textbook and 50 copies of the picture book 'Kasko Ho Yo Anda? (Whose Eggs Is This?)'. It's a bilingual picture book for children published in 2009, with Nepali and English languages. The book is illustrated by a renowned artist, Abin Shrestha, and English translated by Anita Shrestha. I heard that there is a bookstore in Sydney that sells bilingual books, so I plan to do some research and contact the shop, hoping it will give me leads for future bilingual books.

Meeting Rajeev Dhar Joshi, Kathalaya Publication, Thursday 3 July 2023:

It was a pleasure to visit the Kathalaya Office. Kathalaya is an independent publishing company based in Kathmandu, Nepal, known for its dedication to publishing high-quality children's books in Nepali, English, and other regional languages. They have published over 350 picture books for children, including stories, fact books, rhymes, encyclopedias, and series books. Over the years, Kathalaya's focus has expanded to include popular literature and youth-centric books for adults and young adults under the imprint named "WeRead".

During my visit, I was warmly welcomed by the Kathalaya team and my friend Rajeev Dhar Joshi, who is the Director/Co-Founder of the company. We had a fruitful conversation covering various topics, including:

1. A scope of publication and distribution of books by Australian-based Nepalese writers.
2. Support from Nepalese publishers and authors for promoting a reading culture among Nepalese children through Nepalese Language Schools in Australia.
3. Mentoring opportunities for emerging writers in Nepal.

Based on our conversation, I am thrilled to share some good news. Kathalaya has provided three library bags and a collection of books at a discounted rate to the community language schools in Sydney. These bags will soon be handed over to Samjhana, Sabdamala, and Pathsala community language schools, benefiting their students and promoting a reading culture in the community.

Rajeev also informally requested me to mentor a group of writers who are involved in a project for endangered animal conservation over an online platform. I am excited to see the rollout of the project soon.

Overall, the month has been filled with valuable connections, productive meetings, and promising collaborations. I look forward to continuing my efforts in promoting Nepalese literature and supporting writers and publishers both in Nepal and Australia.

Thank you for reading my journal, and I eagerly await your valuable feedback and suggestions.

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