Gauri Tamu, a long-time active writer/poet in the field of Gurung language and literature, released her new poetry book 'Saimprol' at Pragya Pratishthan in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Writers Rajan Mukarung, Deepak Sapkota, Rajani Dhakal and Gauri Tamu released the poetry book.

An interaction program was also conducted on the book and poetry after the release. In the interaction, Rajan Mukarung said that ‘Saiprol’ is a window into the Gurung language and culture, and that the identity literature related to indigenous peoples is the mainstream literature. ‘Literature written on the traditions and culture of indigenous peoples is the mainstream literature today. In Nepal, the voices of indigenous peoples are still made to disappear after the movement, which should not have happened,’ said Mukarung. ‘Saiprol’s poems have voiced those voices that are being lost.’

Deepak Sapkota said that the poems of ‘Saiprol’ are questions of resistance and anger. ‘This book is not just the name of a female character who appears in the Tamu myth. Tamu (Gurung) is a debate, discussion and question about the existence, dissatisfaction and anger of women, Sapkota said, “Saiprol is a resistance to the questioning of women’s scholarship and ability. The poems in this book, titled after the Gurung myth of the ancient times that casts doubt on the knowledge acquired by women, inspire women’s empowerment. And, these poems are created from personal experience and collective commitment.”