Three-day Maithili Literature Fest in city opens today

PATNA: A three-day Maithili Literature Festival is to be organized for the first time at the Youth Hostel in the state capital from December 12 to 14. Famous Maithili authors from Nepal and India will participate in the event.
“We are organizing the fest to make people realize the significance of our rich culture and heritage. Visitors can come between 10am and 8pm.Entry is free,” programme convener Ashok said. Several cultural programmes, including plays, films and poetry sessions, will be held during the fest. Books and ethnic Maithili foods will be sold during the festival.
The organizers — Maithili Lekhak Sangh, Maithili Mahila Sangh and Maithili Sanskritik Parishad — rued the government’s indifference towards one of the oldest cultures of India. “We will bear all the expenses as there is no government help for organizing this event,” Kunal, one of the organizers, said.
President of the programme managing committee, Narendra Jha, said Maithili is the second most widely spoken language in Nepal. “We expect more than 80 renowned filmmakers, authors, poets and artisans at the festival which is likely to bridge the cultural gap between people of Nepal, Bihar and other non-Maithili speaking regions,” Jha said.