Ode to Yala : Poems by Rajan Maharjan

Description

Nepalese poet Rajan Maharjan’s debut poetry collection, 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 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-present. Maharjan’s heartfelt words speak to his struggles bridging countries and cultures as we travel with him.
– Lara Gularte, Poet Laureate Emeritus of El Dorado County

“Addressing youth and loss and growth, Rajan Maharjan provides a wonderful read with a pleasing variety of lengths, styles, and settings.”
– Chuck Joy, American poet, author of Said the Growling Dog, Vinyl

“Rajan Maharjan’s new book, Ode to Yala is another story told by an immigrant, a Nepalese poet, growing up in the countryside, far away from urban life, who eventually obtains his own original voice. He talks about the house in Yala where he grew up with tenderness and nostalgia, and at the same time begins falling in love with his new home, New York.” . . .A string of strange beauty pulls me towards it as I pay my visit. Every time I do I wonder how Union Square takes me under its wing to show the warmth of its colors”
— Anna Halberstadt, American poet, Author of Vilnius Diary

“In Ode to Yala, Rajan Maharjan takes us on a poetic journey that is both exotic and familiar. His poems weave a path through dreams, memories, and day-to-day routines.”
— S. Renay Sanders, American poet, Author of Dancing in Place: Poems

Rajan Maharjan is a rising voice in Nepalese poetry, born and raised in Yala (Patan) in the heart of the Kathmandu Valley. He completed his education at Tribhuvan University before relocating to the United States almost a decade ago. Deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Newa culture, his work weaves local lore with universal themes, bridging the past and present through evocative verse. Maharjan’s poetry has appeared in esteemed magazines and journals, including Pratik, Newtown Literary and his poems were included in the 2024 edition of the Queensbound poetry project. His Nepal Bhasa and Nepali poems, memoirs, short stories have found place in multiple publications and won prizes. He is a City Artist Corp grant recipient which is awarded by the New York Foundation for the Arts(NYFA). Writing in Nepal Bhasa, Nepali and English, he explores identity, heritage, and the interplay of language and belonging. Currently residing in Queens, New York, he shares his life with his wife and young daughter, Arlani.

Kiran Maharjan is a freelance digital calligrapher specializing in Kutaksara, the ancient monogram script of Nepal. Passionate about preserving this art form, he creates personalized designs for names, logos, and more by blending tradition with modern creativity.

Sushila Singh holds an MFA with a graduate specialization in composition. She learned art from Babu Raja Dyola and studied at Lalit Sikshya Academy and the Central Department of Fine Arts, TU, Kirtipur. She is a recipient of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts’ Bishesh Purashkar (2078) for Installation, awarded for her artwork Maa – Shakti, and the Bishesh Purashkar (2076) for Handicraft, awarded for her artwork Ghat. Her Bunga: Dya: Art series is part of the collection at the Museum of Nepali Art (MONA), Thamel.