#30 - Durga Lal Shrestha, 86 years old - Poet and Lyricist [Nepal Bhasa]

Durga Lal Shrestha, born in 1935 in Kathmandu, is a renowned poet and lyricist of Nepal. He has been honored with several awards and distinctions including national titles of “Janakavi” (meaning People’s Poet) and “Janagitkar” (meaning People’s Lyricist). He writes poems, songs, plays, essays and children’s verses mostly in his mother tongue Nepal Bhasa. He is an outspoken advocate for minority language rights and mother tongue education in multilingual, multiethnic Nepal. He also writes in Nepali language and his Nepali songs 'Phoolko aankhaa maa, phoolai sansara' and 'Saya thari baja yeutai taal' holds the distinction of being among the most popular songs ever in Nepal. Collections of his poems have been translated into English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean languages.

This episode with Durga Lal Shrestha was recorded on 24 August 2021 at his home in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu by Aji’s Podcast host Sunita Dangol. The interview was conducted maintaining physical distance.

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