Blind Rocks, a not-for-profit organisation working to empower visually impaired individuals, together with Thoplo Arts, organised the third edition of the live poetry event, ‘Jhilmil-e-saajh’, on Saturday.

The event held at Gyan Sanskar International School, Samakhushi, aimed to address and celebrate love and challenge the conventional norms that typically overlook the beauty of disabled individuals in the romance genre.

Sristi KC, the founder of Blind Rocks, highlighted the absence of people with disabilities in romantic literature. She pointed out that even when they are represented, it’s typically in roles where they receive a lot of pity, empathy or charity. “We organised this event to bring attention to the unspoken, untitled and unaddressed love experienced by people with disabilities.”

A noteworthy aspect of the event was the collaboration between artists with and without disabilities, challenging traditional norms and broadening the scope of romantic poetry to be more inclusive. The 17 performers were chosen through a roundtable discussion on February 10, where 24 poets recited their poems on the theme ‘Sambodhan Gumayeko Sundar Prem.

The poetry beautifully captured the intricacies of love in its various forms, acknowledging disability as just one facet of the diverse human experience.

Particularly touching was Madhusudan Ghimire’s poem ‘Manle Maya Garne Manchhe’. Ghimire, who is blind, authentically portrayed the experience of love for the visually impaired.

Another artist, Saugat Sapkota, stressed the importance of inclusive representation in his poem ‘Rato Ranga’. He underscored the natural variation in expressions and experiences of love, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives in poetic representation.

Icchya Thapa, a programme coordinator at Blind Rocks, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, hoping it awares people that individuals with disabilities possess the capacity for love, meaningful relationships and fulfilling romantic lives. Birendra Shrestha highlighted the growth of art in Nepal and the importance of events showcasing the voices and talents of people with disabilities in his poem ‘No Longer Flawed’.

The event marked a step towards the realistic representation of people with disabilities in romantic poems and literature. Chief guest Subin Bhattarai, writer of romance novels like ‘Summer Love’ and ‘Saaya’, commended the initiative, expressing a commitment to include characters with disabilities in his future works.