Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

The Nepalese Folklore Society, Bakhum Bahal, Lalitpur on March 12, awarded Khyaliguli Guthi of Thimi, an organisation working for preserving and promoting one of the genres of folk literature — traditional humorous folk dramas. The Guthi was awarded with Karuanakar Sirpa, a prize instituted in the name of the eminent folklorist Karunakar Vaidhya that constituted of a cash prize of Rs 20,000 along with a citation on copper plaque. Ganesh Ram Lachhi, chairman of Khyaliguli Guthi received the award and the cash prize. Dilip Joshi, General Secretary of the society, says, “The award is given once in every two years to a person or association that has made outstanding contributions in the field of Nepalese folk literature.”

The Nepalese Folklore Society was established in June 1984 with the objective to collect, record, study and publish the folklore of the different peoples of Nepal. Satya Mohan Joshi, Chief Founder of The Nepalese Folklore Society, says, “We have already awarded ten such individual or organisation in the previous years.” The vicechairman of the society, Bijaya Ratna Bajracharya said, “This is not limited to the Newari Language and literature only. The award is open to all individuals and organisations working to promote folklore, which include traditional musical instruments, folktales or folksongs.” The programme was followed by the paper presentation of Manik Lal Shrestha and Narmadeshwor Pradhan on various aspects of humour and satire. Padma Ratna Tuladhar and Ram Shekhar Nakarmi commented on the presentation.