'Late Shrestha was a Relentless Voice for Nepal Bhasa Movement, Newah Identity'
Rabin Man Shakya
Portland, August 24, (Nepal Oregon News): A memorial service was organized at Nekusing Memorial Theater on Saturday, Aug 23, 2026 by Nepa Chhen, a Nepali non-profit in Portland, USA for paying glowing tributes to late Nepal Bhasa poet Durga Lal Shrestha.
The condolence meeting was attended by more than 25 Newah community members including some American Buddhists who are the Sangha members of the Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland, USA.
A one-ninute silence was observed at the beginning of the memorial service in memory of the iconic Nepal Bhasa poet.
Prajwal Vajracharya, a 35th generation Vajrayana priest and Portland's most senior and octogenarian lady Devi Laxmi Maharjan paid tributes to late Shrestha by offering flowers and Khada. After that, all the participants of the condolence-gathering in Portland offered flowers and sacred Khadas one by one on the portrait of late Durga Lal, paying homage to the late poet.
Further, Durgati Parishodhana Dharani, which was led by Prajwal Vajracharya of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara, was chanted by all the attendees of the condolence meeting. Prajwal Guruji also explained the meaning of Durgati Parishodhana Dharani to the participants of the gathering held in honor and memory of Jana Kavi Shrestha.
A poem entitled "Remembering Jana Kavi Durga Lal Shrestha" penned down by Portlander Naveena Shakya was also read out at the memorial service.
Likewise, a popular song "Phoolko Aankhama Phoolai Sansar" written by late Shrestha was also performed in both Nepali and Nepal Bhasa by Anastasia Roderick and Niva Maharjan (students of Nepal Bhasa classes run by Kritish Rajbhandari). The song was then chorused by all the attendees of the condolence meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, co-founder of Nritya Mandala Mahavihara in Portland Prajwal Vajracharya said:"Late Shrestha was one of Nepal's most celebrated poets, lyricists and cultural icons."
President of Nepa Chhen Daya Shakya said:"Durga Lal ju devoted more than sixty years to enriching Nepal Bhasa and Nepali literature."
Among his many contributions, his children's literature remains unforgettable. Chiniyaamha Kisicha (Sugary Mini Elephant) introduced young readers to playful imagination and gentle wisdom, added Daya.
Daya further said that late poet's poems were published in form of a book "The Blossoms of Sixty Four Sunsets." Daya, along with David Hargreave and others had translated late Durga Lal's poems in English.
Calling the book one of the magnum opuses of the late poet, Daya stated:"The work captured the maturity of his poetic vision - sunsets not as endings, but as blossoms of reflections, wisdom and renewal."
Daya informed the condolence meeting attendees that that late poet was in USA in 2008, and went on saying:"His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Yet his legacy - his poems, songs, stories, and unwavering dedication to Nepal Bhasa - will continue to inspire millions."
Calling him the titan of Nepal Bhasa poetry, Dr Rabin Man Shakya, vice president of Nepa Chhen, said:"Late poet was a friend of my father Pushpa Ratna Shakya. When my father passed away in 2012, the Jana Kavi came to our house at Naghal Tole in Kathmandu for extending Bicha Hayeka."
Dr Shakya fondly reminisced about the interview he took with the poet at his Thamel house in 1993 for the newspaper 'The Rising Nepal'.
Member of Nepa Chhen and professor at Portland's Reeds College Kritish Rajbhandari shared pleasant memories with the poet and said:"His poems dealt with human philosophy, compassion and societal truths."
Late Shrestha was a relentless voice for Nepal Bhasa movement and for struggle to achieve Newah identity, Rajbhandari further said.
Former president of NRNA Oregon Chapter and well-known taekwondo teacher Diwakar Maharjan and noted entrepreneur Minu Mali also shed light on contributions of late Durga Lal for Nepal Bhasa literature and Newar culture.
Late Shrestha was born in 1935 into a lower-middle class Newar family. Shrestha started his writing career around 1949, but his first poem "Two Drops" was published in "Suskera" magazine in 1952.
Late Shrestha was honored with a number of awards: Jagadamba Shree Puraskar, Narottamdas-Indira Award, Abhiyan Award, JAA Best Playwright Medal, Harihar Shastri-Savitri Devi Sahitya Puraskar, Noor Ganga Award and Rastriya Bal Sahitya Puraskar etc.
Late Shrestha, who was appointed as honorary member of Nepal Academy in 1995 and who was a founder member of Nepal Bhasa Manka Khala, passed away on August 16, 2026 at the age of 91 at his residence in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu.
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