Novelist, poet and social worker Hom Nath Subedi is the force behind creation of Nepali Diaspora literature. Based in Woodbridge, Virginia (US), this pioneer of the International Nepali Literature Society (INLS) has devoted all his life to promoting Nepali literature at the international level.

Novels like Nyauli (2043 BS), Ratna (2043 BS), Najar (2044 BS), Trimurti (2044 BS), Veena (2045 BS), Dheurali (2051 BS), Ankur (2053 BS) and Yamapuriko Mahal (2064 BS) are his creations. To name a few others, he also has credit on folk story collections like Nepali Lok Katha Chhantyal ko chheuchhaubat (2052 BS), Chirieko Mutu (2065 BS), poetry collections like Pravasi Swor (2054 BS), Aprasaka Suseli (2063 BS) and Gajal collections like Seto Gajal (2064 BS), Khand Kavya: Chhayasiko Chhavi (2064 BS) and Graha Grasta Divakar (2065 BS).

INLS, since its establishment in 1991, has crossed many rivulets and oceans to arrive at today’s position to be recognised as the influential force of Nepali literature. It has expanded to almost all the continents and over five dozen countries.

INLS that Subedi has led now stands on its own feet to take the movement of Nepali literature further ahead to the world stage. To this end, INLS has called for the first international conference on Nepali literatures this August 15, 2009 in New York. This veteran of Nepali literature shares his past struggle, current status and future prospects of Nepali literature in Diaspora with Indra Adhikari of Nepalnews ahead of the historic New York conference.
    
 How do you evaluate the status of Nepali Literature in Diaspora?

As more and more Nepali are able to migrate abroad for better opportunity and living standards, Nepali Diaspora is seen to be dependent on Nepali language and literature to satisfy their psychological and social needs. This is especially true for the first generation Nepali’s abroad, who serve to be a catalyst in the migration process and take a lead to strike a balance between home culture and needs of the new land. For this generation, the love of Nepali language, literature, and art is in their hearts and they craze for Nepali writing, stories, poems, songs. Symptoms of home-sickness is seen on average Nepali individuals if they are deprived of these cultural elements from Nepal (unless they are busy doing something else they value, of course).
 
With the help of the Internet, in addition to paper based publication, Nepali literature has taken a new dimension. I have observed progressively free expressions and creations from Nepali’s in new lands in the form of Nepali literature. This is gaining momentum. Proof of this exists on many web sites dedicated to Nepali literature and increasing participation from Nepali’s abroad. Today, there’s plenty to read and listen in Nepali on the Internet. This is a symbol of successful catalyst role served by Nepali literature for migratory Nepalis.

As the founder of INLS movement, why had you felt the necessity of an internal network of Nepali writers?

Today we don't travel much rather doing the virtual tour. We don't talk, we write more. So literature and adventure can be used online and writers can be united on online forums. That’s why I felt it is a better idea to have an international network of Nepali writers. It has been successful in putting together most of the writers at the international level. It is supporting to have face-to-face meeting as well; the result is this conference, which is going to be held at New York on August 15, 2009.

How does INLS plan to incorporate other ethnic dialects of Nepal into its movement in future?

INLS Headquarters (in Washington DC) has always supported ethnic dialects for their development. Earlier, we had no resources to work for them. Now we are getting support to work more for them (dialects) so that Nepali people will have unity. The upcoming conference is going announce an award to those writers who are contributing for ethnic dialects of Nepal.  

INLS is organising a first international conference in Nepali literature. How do you see its impulses on expansion of Diaspora literature in days ahead?

It will give excellent impact in Diaspora writing in literature. Most of the topics and working papers are designed towards a new trend of Nepali literature, which is united Diaspora writing. This can be termed like Diaspora writing movement in Nepali literature. Theme and trends of the Diaspora Nepali literature will expand globally. It creates healthy, progressive postmodern, new Diaspora literature in international level. Unity of writers will grow and INLS will continue such a convention every year or two. Production of writers and books will grow (hopefully) to double the present volume in next 5 years or so. 

How easy or difficult has it been to impart love towards Nepali language and literature on the new generation who has grown up in different social environments?

It's very difficult to bring them to class to study Nepali reading and writing. This is understandable because cultural elements of Nepal are not necessarily social and psychological needs of the new generation born abroad are different. My grandson asks me, "What am I getting by learning Nepali?" It’s extra hard to create this need; and to convince them to attend our class. We don't come for "Sanskrit Language Classes" because, no money no job in market, just like that we are facing here in Diaspora. Personally, I spend my time with grand kids to teach what is feasible in a family setting. That’s a good start. We have goal to transfer Nepali identity to new generation through Nepali language, if we don't do that Nepali language will be lost, so will Nepali identity. Therefore, INLS is using all possible techniques to keep Nepali identity alive for many generations around the world. It's difficult job but like this conferences and dedication help lot to achieve. nepalnews.com

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