Cultural pomp, gaiety mark Bhanu Jayanti celebrations

SHILLONG, July 17: Renditions, cultural dances, felicitation of meritorious students and wide-ranging competitions were some of the events that marked the weeks-long Bhanu Jayanti celebrations, the curtain on which came down here on Sunday.
The concluding event, which was organised by the Nepali Sahitya Sammelan at Babu Mani Singh Gurung Auditorium in the city, was attended by students, faculty members, government officials, members of the organising committee, et al.
As part of the celebrations, competitions under various categories were held, the winners of which were also felicitated on the final day.
Meritorious students of SSLC and HSSLC examinations were also felicitated during the programme.
Children, donned in Nepali traditional attires, added colour to the programme by performing cultural dance.
Bhanu Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Bhanubhakta Acharya, widely regarded as the first Nepali poet and the first to translate the epic Ramayana in Nepali language.
Acharya, also known as ‘Adikavi’, is remembered for laying down the foundation stone for the Nepali language.
Bhanu Jayanti is annually held on the 29th day of the Nepali month of Ashadh.
The significance of the day is that it is a celebration of the Nepali culture, including its literature and rituals.