Swasthani in Four Languages

  Spacetime, 14 February 2001

 

Spiny Babbler organized a Swasthani Festival featuring a play in English, a live music performance, yagya, puja, photo exhibitions, and readings in English, Nepali, Newari and Sanskrit.

Launching the festival, mayor of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Buddhi Ratna Bajracharya said that the Buddhist and the Hindu religion have co-existed in Nepal without strife for many centuries. He said that festivals such as the one organized by Spiny Babbler would help the youth lean back towards their own culture and traditions. He also added that it was necessary to go back to such non-transient convictions to achieve peace in the country.

Pallav Ranjan of Spiny Babbler has adapted the Swasthani into the English language and he highlighted the importance of the Swasthani scriptures and the images associated with it. He pointed out the important sites such as the Sali River are in Nepal and Member of the King's Council, Swami Dr. Prapanacharya, the chief guest, commented that it is up to the youth to save the nation's heritage. He said that Nepalese culture and traditions have very old roots and this country has been mentioned in scriptures such as the Mahabharata and it has also been featured in the works of the great poet Kalidas.

The one hour twenty five minute play based on the Swasthani scriptures showed the formation of the cosmic eggs as well as the suffering of Lord Shiva among other things. The play was directed by Saurava Pradhan, Lord Shiva was Bhusan Shilpakar, Xeno Acharya was Narad, Rupak Thapalia played Daksya Prajapati, Priya Joshi was Sati Devi, and Ina Acarya played Virani. The festival was also organized on the internet for an international audience according to Spiny Babbler.