Bhushita Vashishtha to Feature in Paleti's Chhanda Poetry Event

Kathmandu. Paleti is set to present Bhushita Vashishtha for lovers of Chhanda poetry this time. Bhushita had previously performed a Chhanda poetry ritual at Paleti nearly seven years ago.

Chhanda poetry is a melodious literary genre that can resonate with rhythmic sweetness. In ancient times, lyrical poetry was considered the primary style of literature worldwide, but now this style survives mainly in the interest of limited rhythm-loving literary enthusiasts.

With the rise of free-verse poetry, the trend of giving less importance to the Chhanda genre has caused Nepali Chhanda poetry to fade into the shadows. This genre truly lives on through the tradition of recitation. Its vitality lies in the melody. Melody can simultaneously preserve Chhanda and transfer it to the new generation.

Paleti is a platform that has always been enthusiastically active in documenting Nepal's indigenous singing traditions. Nepali Chhanda poetry, which still lacks sufficient publicity, is a treasure trove of fragrance filled with numerous melodies.

Bhushita has informed that her Chhanda recitation in this Paleti event will be based on the Navarasas (nine sentiments). She is currently selecting and practicing compositions based on different sentiments by various poets. Bhushita will present poems by pioneering Nepali poets as well as works by the later generation, and she will also present a poem composed by herself at Paleti.

Bhushita, who returned after completing her studies in 'Creative Writing' from America a few years ago, currently resides in Dharan. Interested in English as well as Sanskrit, she has come to Kathmandu for Paleti. Her collaboration with the musicians of Paleti is ongoing at Nepalaya.

Nepalaya has stated that it considers the Chhanda-Paleti event as a festival. This time's Chhanda recitation will include works by Lekhnath Paudyal, Somnath Sigdyal, Motiram Bhatta, Bhairav Aryal, Laxmi Prasad Devkota, Madhav Prasad Ghimire, Lokpriya Devkota, Nayaraj Pant, Manoj Bhandari, Bharatmani Bhattarai, as well as Bhushita's own compositions.

Bhushita is a Chhanda enthusiast who grew up in the atmosphere of Chhanda poetry since childhood. She is not only a reciter of Chhanda poetry but also a scholar who enjoys dissecting the theoretical and philosophical aspects within Chhanda literature.

Bhushita says, 'Paleti was an esteemed seat of learning for me. I neither had the capability to do justice to it yesterday nor do I today. However, this proximity has given me more strength for poetic practice. If I can express even a fraction of the fortune I have gained, this spring bath of poetry will be meaningful.'

The Chhanda Paleti presentation will be held on the evenings of January 30th and 31st of this month at Nepalaya's 'A' Hall located at Kalikasthan.