46TH LITERARY CONVENTION CONCLUDED

46^TH LITERARY CONVENTION CONCLUDED

21-OCT-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

SASARAM---------------------------The 46th annual convention of the 'Shri Yakshini Bhojpuri Sahitya Samiti' (Shri Yakshini Bhojpuri Literary Society) of Bhalunidham—an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Bhojpuri language, literature, and folk culture—concluded on Sunday amidst enthusiastic participation from the public.

The annual event, organized by an institution founded in 1981 by the late Kanhaiyalal Pandit—a prominent social worker, cultural advocate, and environmental conservationist—saw a notable turnout of litterateurs, poets, public representatives, cultural activists, and local citizens.

Held at the sacred abode of Maa Yakshini Bhavani, the program began with a two-minute silence observed in memory of the society’s founder, Kanhaiyalal Pandit, as a heartfelt tribute.

Advocate Harshnath Pandey, the society’s secretary, welcomed the guests and attendees, outlining the organization's key demands and its 46-year-long journey. The event was presided over by the society’s president, Sarvadev Ojha.

A special commemorative issue of the society’s Bhojpuri magazine, "Mai Ke Boli" (Mother Tongue), dedicated to Kanhaiyalal Pandit, was unveiled. Those present recalled his long-standing contributions to the fields of Bhojpuri literature, folk culture, social awakening, and environmental conservation.

Addressing the convention, Sudhakar Singh, Member of Parliament (MP) from the Buxar constituency, expressed his commitment to the development of Bhalunidham. Legislative Council member Ashok Kumar Pandey, local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Alok Kumar Singh, and former Karakat MLA Rajeshwar Raj also shared their thoughts. MLA Alok Kumar Singh highlighted the work undertaken and the achievements attained toward the development of the site. The speakers commended the society’s 46-year literary and cultural journey and emphasized the importance of passing on the rich heritage of the Bhojpuri language to the new generation. During the convention, a prominent demand was raised for the inclusion of the Bhojpuri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, the committee secretary, Harshnath, presented a formal memorandum to the government and elected representatives, calling for the restoration of the four historic ponds at Bhalunidham, the construction of a boundary wall for the public library, and the revival of the 'Chait Mela' (fair) at Bhalunidham. Speakers emphasized that preserving the religious, literary, cultural, and natural heritage of Bhalunidham is essential for the holistic development of the region.

A highlight of the convention was the *kavi sammelan* (poets' gathering). The event began with a *Saraswati Vandana* (invocation to Goddess Saraswati) presented by Ajit Ojha. Numerous poets participated, including Dr. Gurucharan Singh, Anuradha Krishna Rastogi, Sudarshan Singh, Sunil Kumar, Kaviraj Vikas Savarni, Shailendra Kumar, Munna Prasad Murali, Saroj Kumar Pankaj, Ramkumar Mishra, Pandey Akela, Brajesh Singh, Dayashankar Mishra, Loknath Tripathi 'Angad', Rajballabh Singh 'Bhojpuriya', Kumar Shubham, Dhaneshwar Prasad, Ramdular Satmargi, Niju Ram (Assistant Director, Social Security Cell, Rohtas District), Om Prakash Mishra, Prof. Raj Bahadur Rai, Prof. Surendra Singh, Bijendra Dubey, Ashok Prasad Gupta, Jamindar Singh, Laxman Chaubey, Shrinivas Chaubey, Brajesh Nirala, and Mohan Vyas. The diverse recitations—encompassing themes of devotion (*bhakti*), romance (*shringar*), heroism (*veer*), humor, *ghazals*, and *kah-mukari* (a traditional form of riddle-poetry)—left the audience deeply moved.

The audience thoroughly enjoyed the literary works, which resonated with the folk sensibilities, social concerns, human relationships, and cultural consciousness inherent to the Bhojpuri language. The *kavi sammelan* was moderated by the young writer Kumar Amarnath.

Literature enthusiasts and local citizens present at the event commended the committee for its sustained and active efforts toward the preservation of the Bhojpuri language and literature. The 46th session of this literary tradition, which has been ongoing since 1981, served as a significant occasion for the vibrant folk consciousness, cultural identity, and collective participation of the Bhojpuri-speaking community.