'Meri Sanjeevani' Launched in Pokhara, Creator and Editor Hand Over Books

The collection of songs, 'Meri Sanjeevani', by lyricist Saju Poudel Baral, a working committee member of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) Portugal Chapter, has been launched.

The program was organized by the Department of Nepali at Prithwinarayan Campus in Pokhara last Sunday.

The song collection was jointly launched by Campus Chief Prof. Dr. Hariprasad Pathak, Head of Department Dr. Yamnath Timilsina, former Head of Department Prof. Dr. Kusumakar Neupane, book editor Ramesh Dahal, Assistant Professor Geetakumari Poudel, lyricist Saju Poudel Baral, publisher Rajiv Baral, and the lyricist's mother, Narayani Poudel.

The chief invited guest, Campus Chief Prof. Dr. Hariprasad Pathak, expressed a sense of pride as a former student of the campus engaged in literary practice returned to remember the campus. He also commended the decision to spend the proceeds from the book on the research of folk culture.

Former Head of Department Prof. Dr. Kusumakar Neupane stated that songs of quality are created through the good thoughts and consciousness of the creator, introducing Saju as a good creator. Neupane identified Saju as a fearless student during her campus life and advised her to refine her future journey with further study and practice.

Referring to Saju, who is also an INLS Chapter member, Neupane recalled the contribution of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) to the departmental academic activities during the ceremony.

Assistant Professor Geetakumari Poudel noted that Saju tried to make the work excellent by dividing the 71 songs in the collection into 27 songs about love, 28 about separation and pain, and 16 songs about various other emotions.

Stating that comments that fail to appreciate the creator have no meaning, Assistant Professor Poudel also characterized Saju as a status quo-maintaining creator who perceives the patriarchal tendency prevalent in society as intentional.

Departmental member Dr. Shridhar Neupane expressed the view that the department has gained an excellent creator in Saju, a master's student in Nepali.

The book's editor, Ramesh Dahal, honored the creator Saju Poudel Baral and stated that he had left no stone unturned in the editing process to make Saju's creations error-free.

Head of Department Dr. Yamnath Timilsina expressed gratitude for Saju celebrating her son's birthday by serving education and advised her to focus on the suggestive power (Vyanjana Shakti) along with the emotion (Bhava) in her creative journey in the future.

Lyricist Saju said that the importance of the country is truly realized only after reaching a foreign land. She stated, "The pen becomes the responsible medium to pour out one's woes in a foreign land." Saju added that the network also encouraged her when she used the pen as a medium to alleviate the pain of responsibilities abroad, separation from family, and the struggles of being a mother.

Sharing her journey, she mentioned that she started writing after listening to songs sung by her mother in various village and social contexts, and identified her mother as her guide and guru in songwriting. Expressing gratitude to the department, she added, "By taking the responsibility of launching the work, the department has added inspiration to my writing."

During the same ceremony, the creator Saju also celebrated her son Sajiv Baral's ninth birthday by handing over books worth 28,000 to the departmental library. Saju’s mother, Narayani Poudel, and the book's publisher, Rajiv Baral, jointly handed over the book to the department.

Similarly, Ramesh Dahal, the editor of the launched work and executive editor of INLS Darpan, handed over more than three dozen books of different genres that he had edited and printed to the PN Campus Library.

These include works written by senior litterateurs such as Khem Nath Dahal, Hom Nath Subedi, world record holder Dr. D.R. Upadhyay, Lekhnath Pokharel, Bimla Niraula, Shakun Gyawali, Laxmi Shrestha, Maya Gurung, and Hariprasad Kafle, among dozens of others.

Departmental member Nirmal Sapkota expressed confidence that students would benefit greatly from the books received from the creator Saju and editor Ramesh Dahal, as while a book has a price, knowledge is priceless.

During the ceremony, the organizers presented tokens of love to the guests, reviewers, editor, and journalists.