The third edition of the 'Tikapur Literary Festival 2082' has begun in the city of Tikapur from Friday. This three-day festival, jointly organized by the Tikapur Literary Society and Sudurpaschim Pragyapratishthan, is this time focused on the 'Tharu Literature and Cultural Festival'.

Sudurpaschim University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Hemraj Pant and other guests inaugurated the festival by lighting a lamp. A souvenir of the festival was also released on the occasion.

The festival began with a theatrical performance by local artists of Tikapur under the direction of famous playwright Ashesh Malla. The organizers have stated that 27 different sessions based on language, literature, art, music and contemporary issues will be conducted in this festival, which will be held till Chaitra 15. The main attractions of the festival include Jalvihar in Karnali, Tharu cultural dance, street drama, writing workshops and the original Deuda game of the Far West. This year's special program is to perform the Ramlila dance of the endangered Tharu community. According to Mahesh Bikram Shah, the founding coordinator of the festival, the main objective of the festival is to bring the rich originality, traditions and lifestyle of the Tharu community to the center of national discussion. 'It is our duty to promote the glorious culture of the Tharu community,' Shah said. The country's renowned linguists, writers, artists and thinkers are participating in the festival. Earlier, a drama workshop was held on the eve of the festival from Chaitra 7 and a writing workshop was held from Chaitra 9 to 11 under the facilitation of writers Neelam Karki Niharika and Keshav Dahal.