Three artisans receive Gharapjhong Kavyayatra Honour-2083

By A Staff Reporter

Mustang, July 3: Three artisans from Gharapjhong Rural Municipality in Mustang, who have dedicated themselves to preserving traditional skills and craftsmanship, were awarded the Gharapjhong Poetry Tour Honour–2083.

The award was presented during a poetry tour organised to promote the natural, cultural, and tourism potential of Gharapjhong Rural Municipality through literary tourism. The recipients were 75-year-old blacksmith Saila BK of Chimang, 62-year-old traditional tailor Kumari Nepali of Jomsom, and 72-year-old woodcraft artisan Man Prasad BK of Syang. Each was honoured with a purse of cash, carrying Rs. 10,000.

The certificates of honour were presented by Byakul Maila, the lyricist of Nepal's national anthem. Rural Municipality Chairperson Mohan Singh Lalchan presented the cash awards, while Vice-Chairperson Jamuna Thakali draped the recipients with ceremonial khadas.

Saila BK has spent the past six decades crafting copper and iron utensils and tools essential to the Thakali community. Man Prasad BK has been actively engaged in traditional woodcraft for more than five decades, while Kumari Nepali has devoted over four decades to preserving the traditional tailoring profession and serving the local community.

Coordinator of the poetry tour and journalist Amrit Bhadgaunle said the organisers felt honoured to recognise craftspersons whose dedication to traditional craftsmanship has helped keep their villages vibrant and culturally alive.

The programme began with the screening of a documentary showcasing the tourism attractions of Gharapjhong Rural Municipality. This was followed by a discussion on the theme, 'The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture, Tourism, and Livelihoods in the Himalayan District of Mustang,' featuring Rural Municipality Chairperson Mohan Singh Lalchan and Vice-Chairperson Jamuna Thakali in conversation with poet Bhupin. The discussion focused on the effects of climate change on Himalayan life and the tourism sector.

The second session featured poetry recitations and travel reflections centred on the environment and the local identity of Mustang. Participants included national anthem lyricist Byakul Maila, poets Bhupin, Avaya Shrestha, Shiva Prakash, Sagar Udas, Laxman Thapa, Pragati Rai, Anupam Roshi, Suman Thapa 'Sangam', Kalpana Palak, Deependra Singh Thapa, Rajkumar Gajurel, Bhim Rasaili, Karna Bahadur Thakali, Ghanshyam Paudel, Prithvi Pun, Amrit Bhadgaunle, among others.

Organised by Gharapjhong Rural Municipality in coordination with Kathmandu-based Concept Nepal, the tour also featured local community leader Chandra Bahadur Thakali, who shared the historical background of Jomsom.

In the presence of national anthem lyricist Byakul Maila, teachers, staff, students, poets, monastery students from Jomsom, and local residents of Marpha sang Nepal's national anthem during the tour. Lyricist Maila also encouraged students to remain dedicated to their studies.

Poet Bhupin, whose poem 'Aamako Tasbir' is included in the Grade 9 Nepali textbook, also held a literary interaction session with students of Janahit Secondary School.

As part of the poetry tour, the participating writers visited several prominent cultural and tourist destinations, including Marpha, Chhairo, Chimang, Dhumba Lake, Thini, Jomsom, Syang, Kagbeni, and Muktinath.