Nepali Poet Maharjan Launches English Poetry Collection ‘Ode to Yala’ in New York

Kathmandu: Nepali poet Rajan Maharjan’s debut English-language poetry collection, ‘Ode to Yala’, was released at a literary programme in Queens, New York. 

Published by Nirala Publications, New Delhi, the collection comprises 23 poems, both long and short, honoring the poet’s birthplace, Yala (Patan), the historic city nestled in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley. 

The book, rich in imagery and cultural depth, offers a lyrical tribute to the poet’s roots while reflecting his experience in the diaspora. The book was formally unveiled by poet Yuyutsu Sharma alongside Maharjan’s four-year-old daughter Arlani, his wife Asmita, and his in-laws.

Poet Sharma emphasized the cultural and literary significance of Ode to Yala in the broader context of English-language writing emerging from Nepal. He praised Maharjan for crafting a vivid and emotionally resonant body of work. “In Ode to Yala, Maharjan cements his voice as a poet of both longing and discovery, embracing the duality of exile and belonging,” Sharma observed. 

The programme also featured reflections from members of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS), including Gita Khatri, Jyoti Poudel, Laxmi Shrestha, and Rajendra Shrestha. 

Also speaking on the occasion, Ananda Shrestha, Gobind Koirala, Tulasi Chitrakar, and Nepalbhasa poet Amrit Man Jha, praised the poet’s contribution to the diasporic literature. 

Poet Maharjan celebrated his native city through poetry and extended heartfelt thanks to the Nepali community in New York. 

The event was organized by Nirala Publications in collaboration with local partners and supported by the venue, Foodmandu. Ode to Yala is currently available on Amazon, Flipkart, and Daraz, and will be available in the leading bookstores across Nepal and internationally in the coming weeks.

(RSS)