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A new addition to Nepal’s art and literary festivals, ‘Kathmandu Utsav’, will take place on Falgun 16-17 (February 28-29, 2025) at Nepal Tourism Board Hall in Kathmandu.
Although primarily a literary festival, Kathmandu Utsav will also focus on Kathmandu’s culture, civilization, tourism, local cuisine, and the stories of ordinary people, according to festival chair Prakash Sameer.
The two-day festival will feature 15 sessions. As per festival coordinator and poet Babu Tripathi, the opening will include poetry readings by eight renowned poets, including Bhupal Rai, Bairagi Kaila, Tulsi Diwas, Sulochana Manandhar, Biplav Pratik, Usha Sherchan, Dinesh Adhikari, and Homanath Subedi.
The sessions will proceed with remarks from Kathmandu Utsav advisor Om Rijal. A major highlight will be a discussion on the struggles and success of singer Shanti Shree Pariyar, who will converse with poet Deep Darpan in a session titled ‘Sadhana and Success’.
On the first day, writers Dhruv Chandra Gautam and Basanta Chaudhary will engage in a special discussion on ‘Dimensions of Literature’.
Under the moderation of journalist Rajendra Baniya, Arun Gupta, Nani Hera Shakya, and Rabindra Puri will discuss Kathmandu’s heritage, culture, and civilization.
Another key session will explore knowledge, wisdom, and science, moderated by writer Bimal Acharya.
A session titled ‘Small World, Big World’ will feature Saguna Shah, founder of Bookaholics, discussing literature with young college students.
The festival will not only focus on art, literature, culture, tourism, education, youth, knowledge, science, and spirituality, but also emphasize the experiences of ordinary people. A session titled ‘Voices from the Ground’ will highlight stories of individuals who have sustained their livelihoods by selling roasted corn and tea for decades. Deep Darpan, one of the festival advisors, mentioned that the Kathmandu Utsav aims to be different from traditional literary festivals by prioritizing voices of marginalized communities. This session will be moderated by writer Bina Thing.
Day 2 Highlights
On the second day, Homanath Subedi, president of the International Nepali Literary Society (ANESAS), will deliver an expert lecture on the state of the Nepali literary diaspora.
Since art and cinema are integral to Kathmandu’s identity, the festival will include a session titled ‘New Generation in Film Directing’, featuring directors Sujit Bidari, Krisha Chaulagain, and Anil Budhamagar, who will share their experiences with writer Prabhakar Gautam.
Another major discussion on Fine Arts will involve artists Arena Tamrakar, SC Suman, and Tara Prasad Ojha, moderated by cartoonist Ravi Mishra under the theme ‘Art as Fusion’.
Additionally, Om Rijal, Amla Adhikari, and Shailendra Adhikari will discuss ‘Conflict and Philosophy in Fiction’, moderated by novelist Uma Subedi.
According to Prajwal Adhikari, the festival’s secretary, discussions will also focus on topics like hope and youth, and tourism initiatives, emphasizing the role, presence, and mindset of the younger generation.
Beyond panel discussions, poetry readings, and ghazal performances, the festival will feature local cuisine reflecting Kathmandu’s civilization, an art exhibition, and a book stall. The event will begin with recitations by senior poets and conclude with poetry from the younger generation.
At a time when Kathmandu’s culture, heritage, and civilization are facing deterioration, the Kathmandu Utsav aims to make a meaningful contribution by connecting people with the city’s language, history, and traditions, according to the organizers.
