Bokaro: The Mithila Sanskritik Parishad in Bokaro hosted a vibrant celebration of the birth anniversary of renowned Maithili writer Dr. Braj Kishore Verma, popularly known as ‘Manipadma’, late Saturday at Vidyapati Auditorium, Mithila Academy Public School, Sector 4E. The event included a Maithili Kavi Sammelan and a tribute to the Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp and floral homage to Manipadma’s portrait by chief guest Rajendra Kumar, President of Mithila Academy Public School, along with Jai Prakash Chaudhary, President of Mithila Cultural Council, General Secretary Neeraj Chaudhary, and other dignitaries. In his welcome address, Neeraj Chaudhary recalled Manipadma’s literary brilliance, highlighting his 1973 Sahitya Akademi Award for the novel Naika Banijara.
Speaking at the event, Rajendra Kumar praised the social depth of Manipadma’s works and noted that the Council has been commemorating the author’s legacy annually since 1990. Literary stalwarts Buddhi Nath Jha and Vijay Shankar Mallick paid homage to Manipadma, reflecting on his multifaceted contributions. Poet Shailaja Jha likened him to a guiding star for future generations, while Arun Pathak highlighted his remarkable use of folk tales.
The evening’s Maithili Kavi Sammelan, chaired by Buddhi Nath Jha, featured mesmerizing poetry and songs capturing human emotions. Notable recitations included Rajiv Kanth’s ‘Sabh Sam Paigh Kaj’, Neelam Jha’s ‘E Dhara Ke Shaan Mithila, Thick Hamar Pehchan Mithila’, Arun Pathak’s ‘Biharak Gaurav Gatha’, Vijay Shankar Mallik’s Maithili poem and Buddhinath Jha’s rendition of ‘Akulahati’. The stage was smoothly managed by Shambhu Jha, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Arun Pathak.
