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Spiny
Babbler recently held four programs with Acumen, a premier
poetry journal of the UK, in Kathmandu. Patricia Oxley, editor of
Acumen, and William Oxley, among the most appreciated of British
poets, were in Kathmandu for the programs. The first program involved
the preparation of Selected Poems of the United Kingdom.
Patricia Oxley edited this special edition of Spiny Babbler monthly
literature journal by invitation. Some of the top poets in contemporary
English poetry have contributed to this special edition. Selected
Poems of Nepal, adapted by Pallav Ranjan in English, is to be
sent to all the contributors to generate more information about
Nepal in the United Kingdom.
A
reading by William Oxley was held on October 1, 2000. Chudamani
Bandu, Bairagi Kainla, Usha Sherchan, Manju Kanchuli, and Benju
Sharma were among those who attended the program. Manjul gave a
musical performance and musician Jeevan Ale and Prem Chandra Ojhaiya
enthralled the audience with flute and tabala. A workshop
"Young Creators Writing in English" followed on October 2, 2000.
About twenty Nepalese poets writing originally in the English language
participated in the workshop. The focus was on the younger generation
and on personal interaction with Patricia and William.
Patricia
Oxley said Acumen received about 5,000 submissions for each
edition and poems were selected for their content and craft. William
Oxley mentioned that free verse is considered the poetry writing
style of the twentieth century. Pallav Ranjan said that free verse
was considered easy by some people but it could also be the most
difficult form as it requires much underlying care and attention.
Spiny Babbler held another program with Patricia and William Oxley
at the Fishtail Lodge in Pokhara on October 10, 2000. Artist Durga
Baral commented on Pen and Ink, prepared by Spiny Babbler
chairperson Para Limbu, and Patricia and William Oxley talked and
read at the program attended by many fine poets, writers, and artists
of Pokhara, including Tirtha Shrestha, Sarubhakta, and Ramesh Shrestha.
The exchange program is estimated to increase interest in Nepalese
poetry in England as well. For the year 2001, Spiny Babbler has
already scheduled other workshops, publications, and interaction
programs with creators for Australia and North America. |
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