Third Edition of Tikapur Literature Festival Kicks Off with Focus on Tharu Culture

Kailali. The third edition of the 'Tikapur Literature Festival 2082' began on Friday in Tikapur, Kailali. Organized jointly by the Tikapur Literature Society and the Sudurpashchim Academy, this three-day festival this time is centered around the 'Tharu Literature and Cultural Festival'.

The festival was formally inaugurated by guests including the Vice-Chancellor of Sudurpashchim University, Prof. Dr. Hemraj Pant, by lighting the lamp. On the same occasion, the festival's souvenir was also unveiled.

Prior to this, the festival commenced with a theatrical performance by local artists of Tikapur, coordinated by the renowned dramatist Aseesh Malla. Organizers stated that 27 different sessions based on language, literature, art, music, and contemporary issues will be conducted during this festival, which runs until Chaitra 15.

The main attractions of the festival include water excursions in Karnali, Tharu cultural dances, street plays, writing workshops, and the unique Deuda game of Sudurpashchim. A special program this year is the performance of the Ramlila dance of the Tharu community, which is on the verge of extinction.

According to Mahesh Bikram Shah, the founding coordinator of the festival, the main objective of this festival is to bring the rich originality, tradition, and lifestyle of the Tharu community to the center of national discourse. 'It is our duty to promote the glorious culture of the Tharu community,' Shah said.

Respected linguists, litterateurs, artists, and thinkers from across the country are participating in the festival.

Prior to this, a drama workshop was held from Chaitra 7, and writing workshops facilitated by litterateurs Neelam Karki Niharika and Keshav Dahal were completed from Chaitra 9 to 11, on the eve of the festival.