Nepalese poet Rajan Maharjan’s debut poetry collection, An Ode to Yala, is a vivid tapestry of imagery and a heartfelt homage to his homeland. Having migrated to New York a decade ago, Rajan longs for the lost world of his childhood, evoking memories of his birthplace, Yala (Patan), in Nepal while navigating life in a bustling metropolis. Through his poems, he resurrects the waterspouts, fragrant farmlands, and resplendent squares of artistic splendor that define the ancient city of the Kathmandu Valley. His verses bridge the past and present, capturing the nostalgia of home alongside the wonder of new surroundings. The collection also includes deeply personal poems dedicated to his daughter, chronicling moments of intimacy and reflection as he commutes through Queens, wanders Union Square, and marvels at the towering skyscrapers of his adopted city. Infused with the rich textures of the Newari language, his poetry leaves a lasting impact, resonating with readers across cultures and continents. With An Ode to Yala, Rajan Maharjan cements his voice as a poet of both longing and discovery, embracing the duality of exile and belonging. “With Ode to Yala, Rajan Maharjan cements his voice as a poet of both longing and discovery, embracing the duality of exile and belonging.” – Yuyutsu Sharma “Maharjan’s poetry captures the essence of Newari culture and its creative commotion in a raw, unfiltered form. Distinguished by its inventive use of language, evocative idioms, and a deeply modern sensibility, Ode to Yala breathes fresh vigor into Nepalese writing in English.” — Ramanand Rathi, Indian short story writer and editor “Rajan Maharjan’s Ode to Yala with his singular and authentic voice captures a narrative of migration influencing identity. “My Jyapu grandparents, still alive, /watched the Jyapu in me fade/as I walked farther into the world of books.” The longing for his pastoral home and the challenge of forming a new identity in the city scape of New York City is ever-
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OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
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NIRALA PUBLICATIONS DELHI
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KATHALAYA INC.
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PILGRIMS BOOK HOUSE KATHMANDU
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