The English translation edition of Nanda (an elegiac narrative poem), titled NANDA, was officially launched during a grand book-release ceremony at the Ninth International Conference of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) in Colorado. The ceremony took place on the second day of the conference, held from May 22–26, 2026, during which approximately one hundred books were released.
Among them was NANDA, written by INLS founding president Homanath Subedi and translated into English by Prof. Mohan Sitoula. The book was jointly unveiled by distinguished litterateur and Madan Puraskar laureate Dr. Navaraj Lamsal, the chief guest; Padam Bishwokarma, Chair of the INLS Board of Trustees; Sarbagya Wagle, current President of INLS; and Rohini Sharma, Advisor to INLS. Also present at the launch were the author Homanath Subedi, translator Mohan Sitoula, and editor Mahesh Paudel. The book-release ceremony was chaired by Laxman Neupane, facilitated by Rabin Sharma of Japan, and coordinated by Purushottam Subedi.
This conference, which brought together literary figures from four continents, was attended by Satendra Shah, President of NRNA NCC USA; Madan Puraskar-winning novelist Nilam Karki Niharika; senior Deuda singer Nandakrishna Joshi; acclaimed English-language writers Dr. Jacqueline Kerbeck and Red O’Laughlin; Aaron Brockett, Mayor of Boulder, Colorado; Claire Carmelia, Mayor of Westminster, Colorado; Radheshyam Lekali; former editor-in-chief and author Sudheer Sharma; editor-in-chief Basanta Basnet; editor Babita Basnet; former President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Bipul Pokharel; former BBC Sajha Sawal host Narayan Shrestha; Nepal America Journalists Association (NEJA) President Suraj Bhandari; and nearly 200 writers, journalists, literary figures, and representatives of organizations from Nepal, the United States, Europe, and other countries.
NANDA is an elegiac narrative poem. Nanda was one of the founding members of INLS. She deeply loved the organization and held profound devotion and respect for her husband. She passed away on January 15, 2024, following a brain hemorrhage. Her death left her husband, Homanath Subedi, grief-stricken, inspiring him to write this poetic work in her memory. The original Nepali edition was published on January 15, 2025, and this English translation constitutes its second edition.
This edition features Mohan Sitoula’s English translation, along with a critical appreciation of the poem by the translator, a concise overview of Nepali literature, and a brief biography of the author, Homanath Subedi. As a result, the book offers readers a richer and more informative experience than the original edition.
The work comprises 58 cantos spread across 65 pages. In his sorrow, the bereaved husband searches not only the hills and mountains of Nepal for the spirit of his departed wife but journeys metaphorically from galaxy to galaxy, seeking her on the Moon, Mars, and distant exoplanets. Drawing upon concepts from quantum physics—including quantum tunneling, entanglement, and superposition—as well as the notion of parallel universes, he continues his quest. Ultimately, however, he discovers Nanda not in the external cosmos but within the divine essence of his own being. He writes:
“If there is a path, come. If there is no path, do not be afraid; I will come there to kiss you.”
Thus, even amid profound grief, the poem concludes with the aesthetic beauty of love-in-separation (vipralambha śṛṅgāra). The work is both intellectually enriching and emotionally moving. Because the Nepali original and English translation are presented side by side, the volume serves as a valuable resource for both Nepali-speaking and English-speaking readers.
The three-day International Nepali Literary Conference, organized by the Central Executive Committee of the International Nepali Literary Society (INLS) and coordinated by the INLS Colorado Chapter, began on Saturday at the Drury Hotel in Westminster, Colorado. The conference concluded on Monday with the issuance of the “Colorado Declaration.”
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