Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 26:

Nepal’s folk literature and culture belonging to different indigenous groups are on the verge of extinction, as very few researchers have shown their interests in their study. Till now, Govinda Acharya, who is also a popular folk singer, is the only person to hold a doctorate degree in folk literature. “It’s very late to explore the abundance of Nepali folk literature, as the western culture is gradually invading our cultural heritage,” Acharya said. “I feel like I have just entered the house on fire. I am very much confused which valuable goods to save first,” comments Acharya. “Had I been born in the Kathmandu Valley I’d have been a pop singer,” he expressed his concern over cultural invasion in urban areas. He said folk literatures are gradually being affected by the interference of foreign cultures. “There is a danger that we will lose our originality if folk literatures are not investigated and preserved soon.” “The more we delay the more we will lose,” he said, adding that the students of literature should be inspired to study Nepali folk literature. Acharya’s supervisor professor Dr Madhav Prasad Pokhrel said Acharya has tried to explore folklores in his study. He studied some 200 folk songs being sung in different districts of the Rapti zone.