The Book Day and Nepali reading culture
We once feared the evolving digital technology, which is expanding by leaps and bounds, would gradually threaten the significance of books. This has not been the case. The technology culture is going global, but the importance of books remains undiminished.
The reading culture in Nepal is showing positive signs with the increase in literacy rate. However, the reading culture largely limited to readers who rely heavily on library resources.
Writer Yuyutsu R.D. Sharma says this is not enough. “Reading should not only benefit the readers but it should also help the writer,” he asserts. “In the west, books are never accepted free of cost because that would weaken the financial capability of the writer for producing a new book,” Sharma adds explaining the culture in the western world which he experienced during his recent tour to European countries.
But Prof Dr Abi Subedi is happy to see the kind of enthusiasm witnessed in the Nepali society towards books of late. “The reading culture entered here with the exposure of Nepali society to the international community where book reading is overwhelmingly encouraged,” he said.
The bestsellers in western book markets like Harry Potter series by J. K. Rawling, My Life by Bill Clinton, The Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore or Agnipath by Pervez Musharraf have received good market in Nepal as well while the readers’ response to books penned by Nepali writers has also been quite encouraging. Some of the recent Nepali books like Palpasa Café by Narayan Wagle, Soch by Karna Shakya, Radha by Krishna Dharabasi and Rakta Kunda by Krishna Abiral have been well-received in the market.
Prof Subedi says the readership of Nepali books has increased and skilled writers do not have to worry anymore for market. “If the writer is able to energise the readers with profound thoughts s/he can easily create niche in the market. Blaming the poor readership is no more an issue,” he added.
In a recent gathering of writers, president of International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) Mohan Sitaula also expressed satisfaction about the improving reading culture in Nepal. Sitaula shared his experience of overwhelming response from western readers towards translated books of the Nepali writers. “We have the potentiality of literary creation at par with westerners. We must realise that books by Nepali writers have better contents than those by the westerners,” he says.
The improving reading culture is partly contributed by growing number of libraries. “The first aim that we have set is to let people realise that reading is developing the self,” says manager of public library in Brikuti Mandap, Jujubhai Dangol. People of all ages spend hours in this library daily.
Parents even leave their children in library in the morning and come to pick them up in the evening. “We hope this will help to increase the awareness on the importance of reading among the young people when these little children grow up in library environment,” he adds.
For youngsters, who love reading books, contents matter less. For them books that impress most would also set their future course. Yet the young population being choosy of the books of their subject is never to be neglected. “I mostly like those books which hit my conscience, makes me, helps me look at things in a new light,” says journalist Anand Gurung.
The connection between April 23 and books was first made in 1923 by booksellers in Catalonia, Spain, as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes who died on that day. This became a part of the celebrations of the St George’s Day and it has been a tradition since the mediaeval era for men to give roses to their lovers and since 1925 for the woman to give a book in exchange.
In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be observed on this date because of the Catalonian festival and also because the date happens to be the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, the death of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Josep Pla, the birth of Maurice Druon, Vladimir Nabokov, Manuel Mejía Vallejo and Halldór Laxness.
Let’s hope the 10th Book Day that we are celebrating Monday becomes another step forward to increase book readership in Nepal as well. Have a good reading!
Published in Nepalnews.com