The Third Edition of Tikapur Literary Festival Successfully Concludes
The third edition of the ‘Tikapur Literary Festival 2082’ was successfully held in Tikapur from Chaitra 13 to 15. The festival, jointly organized by the Tikapur Literary Society and the Sudurpashchim Academy, concluded on Sunday. Organizers informed that the festival encompassed various themes including language, literature, art, culture, education, and social development. According to Mahesh Bikram Shah, the founding coordinator of the festival, the third edition focused particularly on the theme of ‘Tharu Literature and Cultural Festival.’
Mahesh Bikram Shah stated, “Our efforts have strengthened and sustained the literary and cultural identity of Sudurpashchim Province, while promoting the message of multilingual and multicultural coexistence.” Throughout the festival, 21 special sessions were held featuring in-depth discussions and interactions on language, literature, art, music, local livelihoods, history, identity, politics, society, and contemporary issues. The event saw the participation of esteemed linguists, writers, artists, social thinkers, doctors, journalists, researchers, cultural experts, development specialists, and tourism activists from across the country.
The first series of the festival included a boat ride on the Karnali River and a performance of Tharu cultural dance. The second series featured street drama performances, writing workshops, and a province-level poetry festival. During the third series, various activities took place including theatrical performances, displays of Tharu folk culture, intellectual dialogues, poetry and ghazal recitals, musical programs, and a presentation of Deuda, a traditional dance from Sudurpashchim. The fourth series showcased the critically endangered ‘Ramleela dance,’ an important heritage of Tharu folk culture.
Mahesh Bikram Shah claimed that the direct dialogue involving the knowledge, experience, and creative journeys of established figures in literature, art, and social fields benefitted the local community. He added, “We believe our efforts will help establish Tikapur Municipality as a center of literature and culture.” The festival is expected to positively influence local tourism promotion, economic activities, and cultural awakening.