‘Come with your friends and beloved’ by Komal Malla

Poet Komal Malla, the President of Nepalese Literature Development Council UK is one of the renowned Nepalese poets living in the UK. More than a dozen poetry books and song albums have already been published and currently, three more poetry books are in the press. Poet Malla has been awarded several awards and medals including NLDC Gold Medal 1st in 2009 for his poetry creation and tireless devoted hard work in the organization.

Come with your friends and beloved!

My country is the country of Mount Everest
Please come to view the tallest peak in the world
My country is the country of Gautam Buddha
Please come to breathe peace
Come, with your friends and beloved
My country is the country of Mount Everest!
The snowcapped Himalayas
Terraces of the Mountains
Flat fields of the Terai
Spread the color of own language, dress, religion, and culture
Rivers, rivulets and springs
Quench our thirst
Our country is the source of immortality
Come for rejuvenation
Come, with your friends and beloved
My country is the country of Mount Everest
Come to view the tallest peak in the world!

Cukoo is singing
Himalayan Monal and Lophophorus are dancing
Brave Nepalese will welcome you
With Rhododendron blooming in their backyard
Please come to visit Khaptad, Begnas, Rara, Phewa and other lakes
Our country is the queen of life-saving herbals
Enjoying your time with Musk, Tiger, Rhino, Elephants, and birds
People are observing their own religions
In the country full of temples
Under the peaceful abode of Moon and Sun
Come to color yourself with Crimson
My country is the country of Mount Everest
Come, with your friends and beloved
Please come to view the tallest peak in the world!

Translated from Nepali to English by Bhagirath Yogi

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‘On a beautiful rainy day’ by Viplob Pratik

On a beautiful rainy day

Clouds are making noise, heavily
As if the heart of the sky is about to burst with pain.
A strong beat she feels in her chest
The first shiver of the thunder
Moves into her softly.
She gets up, walks to the window and stands there.
Opening the curtain,
She feels life is breathing into buried old pain.
Pain seeps from the memory
Drawing on the canvas of rain and mist a long-gone, fascinating moment.
Suddenly it rains deeply
People rushing in the street to reach their home
Find shelter in a bus stand
But there is no place to hide for the earth, the trees, and the plants
In no time the soil is soaked in water.
She takes a deep breath
Some part of the glass is misty from her breath
She wipes it with her fingers
Two drops of rain start making a straight line finding their way downward
Then a current of air takes them away.
Nothing is under control.

‘Nepal calling you’ by Suresh Jung Shah

Author and poet Suresh Jung Shah, the founder and immediate past President of Nepalese Literature Development Council UK (Estd.1995) is a versatile Nepalese author and poet living in London. More than one and half dozen of his published books include a collection of stories, a collection of drama, a collection of poetry, a novel and a collection of biographies. He also has published a song album, a magazine, and newspapers. He has been honored with several awards during his literary career.

Nepal Calling You

Glaciers of the mountains
Whistles of the green hills
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

Melodies of the singing birds
Art of the dancing peacocks
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

Roarings of the downhill rivers
Charming sound of the flora and fauna
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

Ringing bell of the temples
Roaming sound of the monuments
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

The beauty of nature
The beauty of the culture
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

Millet field of the high lands
Paddy field of the low lands
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

Treasure of peace
Treasure of paradise
Calling you
Oh my darling
Where are you?

–Visit Nepal 2020–

Presented by Dr Sangita Swechcha

Dr Sangita Swechcha is a Communications Professional, Researcher, and a Fiction writer. She has over 15 years of experience in international communications and media relations. She is a Guest Editor for Global Literature in Libraries Initiative (GLLI) and coordinating ‘Nepali Literature month’ – November 2019. She is a novelist and a writer who has written a novel ‘Pakhalieko Siundo’, a joint collection of stories ‘Asahamatika Pailaharu’ and a collection of short stories ‘Gulafsangako Prem’ in Nepali.

Forthcoming in English translations in 2020 in e-book formats first: A novel ‘Pakhalieko Siundo’ and a collection of short stories ‘Gulafsangako Prem’, titled in English as ‘The Rose: An Unusual Love Story’ (looking for international publisher/s for publishing print versions of these books). Her twitter handle: SangyShrestha. Email: sangyshrestha@hotmail.com Connect on Facebook