02/12/2025
Dear all,
I have returned from Bhopal, where the Vishwarang -Tagore Lit Fest TILAF, an art and literature festival, organized by the 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, that was held from the 27th to the 30th of November 2025, brought together writers, artists, and thinkers in a celebration of literature, art, and culture. There is something profoundly affecting about such gatherings: the intersection of minds across languages, the delicate yet persistent intimacy of shared attention.
To witness the commitment of organizers, translators, poets, and delegates — each contributing to a luminous fabric of voices; was to apprehend, for a moment, the depth of human creativity. Reconnecting with old friends after long absences carried a subtle warmth, and meeting new companions revealed unexpected currents of inspiration, a quietly thrilling sense of possibility for collaborative creative dreams.
The poetry of my fellow poets in our session of international poetry was an immersion into distant yet intimately familiar spaces of the heart. I am thankful to 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐃 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐦, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚, 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐫 𝐎𝐫, and 𝐁𝐚𝐧’𝐲𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢 for gracing us with their vibrant poems and recitations. It was equally moving to hear the translations of absent poets 𝐏𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐟𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐩 and 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢, who, though not present in person, were felt through their words, and their insistence on participating in this remarkable exchange. The session, moderated by 𝐀𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 and 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐮 𝐉𝐡𝐚, was captivating in its core. It was a privilege to share the stage with eminent Indian poet 𝐀𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐥 and 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐞𝐲, poet and festival director.
During these days, poetry, art, film, and music were not merely presented; they flowed among us as living forces, shaping understanding, stirring curiosity, and awakening joy. Between sessions, we wandered through echoes of history; 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐚, 𝐔𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬, and the 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 Each place revealed a fragment of humanity’s vast, intricate diversity, showing the persistent, inventive ways in which we seek meaning and leave traces of ourselves upon the world.
I owe sincere thanks to Anjum Sharma for his generosity, guidance, and companionship throughout the festival. I am also grateful to Santosh Choubey, Chancellor of RNT University and director of the festival; to Leeladhar Mandloi; to the organizing committee; and to the tireless, enthusiastic volunteers, whose generosity and care were evident in every detail.
I am back home with gratitude, reflection, and a renewed sense of what it means to engage in a culture that is both local and expansive. The memory of this extraordinary community stays with me.
I am sharing here some pictures and video clips kindly shared by friends, volunteers, and the organizers, capturing glimpses of the festival and its surroundings. I will share more as they come my way.
Suman
❤️🙏❤️.....................................
#सुमन_पोखरेल #सुमनपोखरेल #कविता
