Discussion Held in Pokhara on the Past and Present of Ghazal in Gandaki Province
A discussion was held in Pokhara on the development, history, and current state of ghazal in Gandaki Province. Gandaki Pragya-Pratishthan organized a seminar and discussion program titled “Ghazal in Gandaki Province: Past and Present,” providing a platform for interaction on the subject.
A seminar paper jointly prepared by Academician Anurag Adhikari and literary figure Rupindra Prabhavi was presented at the program. The paper, presented by Prabhavi, highlighted the history of ghazal in Gandaki Province, literary activities conducted in the region, writers who have published ghazal collections, active organizations, and the ups and downs experienced by the ghazal genre.
Former Gandaki Province Minister Govinda Bahadur Nepali praised the effort put into preparing the seminar paper and urged the authors to incorporate suggestions received from participants before finalizing it. He said the material could become an important document on the ghazal genre in Gandaki Province in the future. He also said that at a time when rapid technological development and artificial intelligence (AI) are posing challenges to human existence itself, the relevance and importance of literature need to be established. He further cautioned that literary history could disappear if it is not passed on to the new generation along with creative traditions.
Prof. Dr. Kusumakar Neupane, Chancellor of Gandaki Pragya-Pratishthan, said the seminar was organized in line with the institution’s plan to conduct academic and result-oriented programs and expressed confidence that it would further support the Academy’s literary initiatives. He said the institution was working to create a more convenient environment by reducing the difficulties and problems local writers face while preparing their works.
He also said the Academy was considering launching works prepared by writers. For this purpose, a work must be submitted to the Academy at least 10 days before its planned launch, and the Academy will provide support for the launch only if no errors are found during its review. Chancellor Neupane added that programs involving the presentation of seminar papers on various subjects would continue at the Academy.
Member-Secretary Mankumar Shrestha explained the purpose of the program. On the occasion, literary figures Shiva Tripathi, Dilip Doshi, and Rupindra Prabhavi; academicians Kamal Paudel ‘Athak’, Indraman Khatri, Shanta Bastola, and Anurag Adhikari; as well as former minister Nepali recited ghazals.
Pokhara Conference