Poet Basanta Chaudhary launches ‘Aahana’ on granddaughter’s birthday

Kathmandu: Poet Basanta Chaudhary has launched his collection of children’s literary poems ‘Aahana’. The book was launched and the recitation of the poem was held at Premier International School on Sunday.

Poet Basanta launched the book, that expresses his love for his granddaughter Aahana. He gave the book as a birthday gift to Aahana. Aahana looked jolly and excited as the book had been launched in her school.

Likewise, there is a belief that the bond between grandparents-grandchildren is even stronger than that of friendship. There is no doubt that grandparents love their grandchildren more than parents love their children.

The love for granddaughter gave birth to Poet Basanta’s first children’s literary poem collection ‘Aahana.’ It’s not just a collection of poems but a package of love presented by a grandfather to his granddaughter.

Poet Basanta has beautifully presented the sweet memories, woven in the past 11 years, with granddaughter Aahana in the form of 56 poems in the book.

He has written most of the poems remembering the priceless moments of smiling and playing with Aahana, while in some poems he imagined himself as the granddaughter.

The director of Premiere School Pawitra Limbu said that the creation has done a remarkable contribution to the field of Nepali Literature.

Director Limbu said, ‘The Nepal Literature covers only a small portion of world literature, the children’s literature within that world is even smaller. I have seen very closely the inadequacy of children’s literature during the process of filling up the library. The contribution of Poet Basanta will surely fulfill the gap of children’s literature to some extent.’

She added that the poem collection has added a milestone in Nepali children’s literature.

‘His poems clearly reflect how closely he has been part of the Aahana’s growing days including her smiling, dancing, playing, and enjoying. Aahana is a lucky granddaughter. Her gift has established Basanta Chaudhary as the grandfather of all the children of Nepal.’, Limbu said.

Then, classmates of Aahana recited a few poems from the book.

Zoya Maharjan, a class five student, recited a poem that reflected the time of Aahana going to school. Suhana Yadav read a poem that was about the sleeping beauty of Aahana.

Drishti Maharjan recited the ‘Chahana‘ from the collection. Ina Maharjan read the poem titled ‘Hamro Desh.’

And, at last, Aahana herself recited the poem that described her beauty and her dreams. One can feel the voice of Aahana slowly diminishing as the poem progressed. Her voice was filled with emotions while reading the poem. She thanked her grandfather for the lovely poem and departed from the stage.

The face of Poet Basanta clearly reflected the mixed emotions while listening to the recitation of her granddaughter. He was listening to the recitation with a happy and emotional heart. A proud grandfather was looking at her granddaughter at the moment.

Poet Basanta has succeeded to pour all his affection towards his granddaughter in form of the poems. The bond between a grandfather and a granddaughter is clearly reflected in the book.

He has expressed love toward Aahana in some poems. Whereas in others, he has presented the innocent heart of Aahana. Sometimes in the form of green natural beauty and sometimes even linking it with the stars.

Similarly, he also wants her granddaughter to be inspired in every step of her life by reading the poems. The book is like a manuscript for Aahana’s life. He also showed the beauty of unified Nepal to Aahana through his poetry.

At last, Poet Basanta wished her granddaughter a happy birthday and expressed his joy.

He said, ‘Granddaughter Aahana whom I also call ‘Natini Sarkar.’ Immense love and blessings on the occasion of your birthday. I would like to bless you to create a foundation to touch the sky. I would like to gift you the collection of Poems Aahana as a form of the collection of my love.’

‘I am very happy. I feel the arrival of the ‘Basanta’ (Spring season) again.’, Basanta added, ‘This is my first attempt in children’s literature. The height that children’s literature has taken in foreign countries including India is really inspiring. This really makes me jealous sometimes. I always used to wonder why our children’s literature is not gaining the height it deserves.’

He even accepted that the market for children’s literature is small in Nepal. But he requested to view the literature as a form of revolution rather than just business.

Poet Basanta said,’ Children’s literature has the strength of expressing creative and immense knowledge in few words. If this collection also succeeds in imprinting the same enlightenment effect, I will feel my contribution in the field.’

Poet Basanta said that the book ‘Aahana’ is a reflection of his granddaughter. He added that the act of giving the blessing to the book is a way of blessing her granddaughter Aahana.

At last, Basanta departed from the stage reciting the poem titled ‘Aahana.’ Aahana was listening to the poem with happiness and excitement.

Aahana cut the cake at the end of the program. A piece of slow music was playing in the background and was written by Poet Basanta. Aahana even gifted a single copy of a book, bag, and chocolate to her friends.

Students of different grades and parents were present in the program. Poet Basanta even gifted the statue of Goddess Saraswati as a token of love to the school’s director Limbu for the coordination of conducting the program.

Bhanu Bhattarai also gifted the self-made painting to Poet Basanta.

Basanta Chaudhary has already published more than 20 books. He has a total of 13 poem collections written in the Nepali language. The rest 8 collections have been published in other languages.

He has even created 3 Hindi poems, 2 essay collections, and 9 musical albums. He is popular for composing the peace-related music ‘Shanti Lukaau Kaaha.’

The Nepali version of the launch was posted on 9^th April, Sunday.

(Few Glimpses from the Book Program)

(Photos by: Sunil Maharjan)